In addition to the leaders from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, two other leaders are named: Joel their overseer and Judah who was second over the city. Joel was the officer who was set over them. Jerusalem Bible says he “was in charge of them.” There are two interpretations of the position held by Judah: either that he was the second in command over the city (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) or that he was in command of the second quarter or district of the city (so New International Version). The most common interpretation is the first. The two men may be the successors to Hanani and Hananiah in Neh 7.2, who were the military commander in the city and his second-in-command. They were not tribal or religious leaders.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .