Nehemiah 8:12

12 All of the people went to eat, to drink, to send a share, and to have great joy because they understood the words that they had made known to them.

Nehemiah 8:12 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 8:12

And all the people went their way to eat and to drink
Freely and cheerfully:

and to send portions;
to the poor, who had nothing to eat and drink:

and to make great mirth;
with music, vocal and instrumental:

because they had understood the words that were declared unto them;
the meaning of the several laws read and explained unto them, whereby they better understood their duty, and in what instances and in what manner it was to be performed; how much more reason is there for joy and gladness, when the Gospel, and the doctrines of it, are clearly known and understood? ( Psalms 89:15 Psalms 89:16 ) .

Nehemiah 8:12 In-Context

10 Then he said to them, "Go, eat festive food and drink sweet drinks, and send a share to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our lord. Do not be grieved because the joy of Yahweh is your refuge."

11 So the Levites silenced all of the people, saying, "Silence, for this day is holy. Do not be grieved."

12 All of the people went to eat, to drink, to send a share, and to have great joy because they understood the words that they had made known to them.

13 On the second day the heads of the {families} of all the people, the priests, and the Levites gathered together to Ezra the scribe to study the words of the law.

14 They found written in the law, which Yahweh had commanded by the hand of Moses, that the {Israelites} should live in booths during the festival of the seventh month,