And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;

NEHEMIAH 11:4KJV
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Nehemiah 11:4 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 11:4 mean?

Nehemiah 11:4 lists some of the people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin who settled in Jerusalem after the return from exile, specifically naming Athaiah and his ancestors from the family line of Perez. The verse highlights the careful record-keeping of who lived in Jerusalem as the city was being repopulated.

Nehemiah, as the leader overseeing Jerusalem’s restoration, is recording which families from Judah and Benjamin moved back into the city. This verse is part of a larger section where Nehemiah details the resettlement of Jerusalem to ensure it was properly inhabited and defended. The mention of specific names and tribal lines shows the importance of heritage and continuity for the returned exiles.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 11:4

  • "Jerusalem" (יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם, Yerushalayim): This name is central in the verse, emphasizing the significance of the city as the spiritual and administrative heart of the Jewish people.
  • "Dwelt" (יָשַׁב, yashav): This word means to settle or reside, highlighting that these families were not just visiting but making Jerusalem their permanent home again.
  • "Children" (בֵּן, ben): Used repeatedly, this word means "sons" or "descendants," underlining the focus on family lines and tribal identity.
  • "Perez" (פֶּרֶץ, Peretz): Naming Perez, an ancestor from Judah, connects these settlers to a specific lineage, which was important for roles in the community and fulfilling prophecies about Judah’s prominence.

Why Nehemiah 11:4 matters

  • Nehemiah 11:4 helps clarify that the repopulation of Jerusalem was intentional and organized, not random, showing the care taken to restore the city’s social and spiritual life.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of tribal heritage and family lines among the returned exiles, which shaped community roles and responsibilities.
  • This record connects the post-exilic community to their ancestors, reinforcing their identity and continuity after years of displacement.

Where else these words appear

“Mahalaleel” Hebrew H4111 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 5:12 And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel:
  • Genesis 5:15 And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:
  • Genesis 5:17 And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

“Shephatiah” Hebrew H8203 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
  • 1 Chronicles 27:16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:
  • Ezra 8:8 And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males.

“Perez” Hebrew H6557 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 38:29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
  • Ruth 4:12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:1 The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.

“Amariah” Hebrew H568 · used in 14 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 6:7 Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
  • 1 Chronicles 24:23 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
  • Ezra 10:42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.