Nehemiah 11:2

that willingly offered themselves Another group is here distinguished, i.e. those who volunteered to go and dwell in Jerusalem. They are not to be confused with those who were sent there, being chosen -by lot." They went of their own accord, moved by public spirit. The blessing of their countrymen shows the enthusiasm aroused by their patriotic action; at the same time, it may denote that residence in Jerusalem was recognised to be fraught with danger. To dwell in the -holy city" was also to defend it from its many enemies, see chap. Nehemiah 7:4. It is not stated that they were accepted as substitutes for those chosen by lot.

According to this explanation we are told in these two verses of three classes of dwellers in Jerusalem: (a) the princes, (b) ten per cent. of the inhabitants of the other towns selected by lot and forcibly transferred, and (c) those who voluntarily migrated to the capital.