Nehemiah 8:1

1 All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the Sofer to bring the book of the law of Moshe, which the LORD had commanded to Yisra'el.

Nehemiah 8:1 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 8:1

And all the people gathered themselves together as one man
into the street that was before the watergate
A large and commodious street for such a company of people, which led to the water gate, of which see ( Nehemiah 3:26 ) hither the people gathered with great unanimity, zeal, and affection:

and they spoke unto Ezra the scribe;
the same who is called Ezra the priest, and scribe of the law of God, and said to be a ready one, ( Ezra 7:6 Ezra 7:11 Ezra 7:12 ) , who came to Jerusalem thirteen years before this time; but very probably returned to Babylon again, and was lately come from thence:

to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to
Israel;
to observe what was commanded in it, and which he had ordered to be read, particularly every seventh year, at the feast of tabernacles, ( Deuteronomy 31:10 Deuteronomy 31:11 ) which was now drawing near, though this was not the precise time of reading it; hence some have thought this year was the sabbatical year; see ( Nehemiah 5:11 ) .

Nehemiah 8:1 In-Context

1 All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the Sofer to bring the book of the law of Moshe, which the LORD had commanded to Yisra'el.

2 Ezra the Kohen brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

3 He read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were [attentive] to the book of the law.

4 Ezra the Sofer stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattityah, and Shema, and `Anayah, and Uriyah, and Hilkiyah, and Ma`aseyah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedayahu, and Misha'el, and Malkiyah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zekharyah, [and] Meshullam.

5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: