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Nehemiah 8:3-13
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3
He read from it before the square which was in front of 1the Water Gate from early morning until midday *, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
4
Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand.
5
Ezra opened 2the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above * all the people; and when he opened it, all the people 3stood up.
6
Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, "4Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands; then 5they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place.
8
They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.
``This Day Is Holy"
9 Then Nehemiah, who was the 6governor, and Ezra 7the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "8This day is holy to the LORD your God; 9do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.
10
Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and 10send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
11
So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."
12
All the people went away to eat, to drink, 11to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, 12because they understood the words which had been made known to them.
Feast of Booths Restored
13 Then on the second day the heads of fathers' households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law.Images for Nehemiah 8:3-13
Nehemiah 8:3-13 Meaning and Commentary
INTRODUCTION TO NEHEMIAH 8
Ezra being desired to bring forth the book of the law, read it to the people and others, expounded it to them, Ne 8:1-8 and Nehemiah exhorted the people to express joy and gladness on this occasion, which they did, Ne 8:9-12 and observing the feast of tabernacles was in the law commanded to be observed, they kept it very strictly and joyfully, Ne 8:13-18.
Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
Cross References 12
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