This chapter treats of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, those of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, who settled there by lot, or of their own accord, their names and numbers, Ne 11:1, and of the priests and Levites who dwelt there, Ne 11:10, and of the rest of the people, priests, and Levites, that dwelt in the other cities and villages of Judah and Benjamin, Ne 11:20.
Ver. 1. And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem,.... Where it was proper they should, being the metropolis of the nation, both for the performance of their offices, and to protect and defend it, as well as to set an example to the people, and encourage them to dwell there also:the rest of the people also cast lots to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city; so called, because of the temple and the worship of God in it; and so it is called by Julian the emperor ; and some have thought that the Cadytis of Herodotus is the same with Jerusalem, which had its name from hvdq, "holy", and is now called by the Turks "cuds", that is, "holy" : now, though it was the chief city, and the place of public worship, yet the people were not forward of settling in it, partly because of the rage of the enemy, which this city was the butt of, and partly because it was more to their worldly advantage to dwell in the country, and where they could have better supplies; they consulted their own ease, safety, and profit; wherefore this method was taken to oblige some to dwell in it, by taking one out of ten by lot, that there might be a sufficient number to rebuild the houses of it, repopulate and defend it:and nine parts to dwell in other cities; to which they belonged, or where they pleased, any where in the land of Israel.
Ep. 25. p. 154. Prideaux's Connection, par. 1. p. 56, 57. Euterpe, sive, l. 2. c. 159. & Thalia, sive, l. 3. c. 5. Sandys's Travels, l. 5. p. 121. Ed.