XI.
(1, 2) The history reverts to Nehemiah 7:5; lots are cast for the transfer of one-tenth of the people to the capital.
(1) And the rulers. — The narrative joins on to Nehemiah 7:4. The festival month had prevented the immediate carrying out of the governor’s purpose.
The rest of the people. — The rulers being already in the capital, Nehemiah ordered that one man in ten should be chosen by lot to transfer his family.
Jerusalem the holy city. — Remembering the “separation” that had taken place (Nehemiah 9), and the recent covenant (Nehemiah 10), we see the solemnity of this epithet, now first used, and repeated in Nehemiah 11:18. “Then shall Jerusalem be holy, and no strangers shall pass through her any more (Joel 3:17). But the New Testament brings another comment on the phrase.
(2) The people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves. — We are not told that any compensation was made to them; and these words seem to indicate that the chosen ones freely submitted, their patriotism being applauded by all. — Jerusalem was the post of danger, and in any case it was a hardship to leave their country possessions (Nehemiah 11:3).