Nehemiah 8:9

9 Then Nehemiah and Ezra spoke up. So did the Levites who were teaching the people. All of those men said to the people, "This day is set apart to honor the LORD your God. So don't sob. Don't be sad." All of the people had been sobbing as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah was governor. Ezra was a priest and a teacher of the law.

Nehemiah 8:9 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 8:9

And Nehemiah which is the Tirshatha
Or governor, as Zerubbabel had been, and now Nehemiah, see ( Ezra 2:63 )

and Ezra the priest and scribe;
see ( Nehemiah 8:1 Nehemiah 8:2 ) ,

and the Levites that taught the people;
see ( Nehemiah 8:7 )

said unto all the people, this day is holy unto the Lord your God;
being both the new moon and the feast of blowing of trumpets:

mourn not, nor weep;
which was unsuitable to a festival, and especially such an one as this, in which trumpets were to be blown, and gladness to be shown, ( Numbers 10:10 )

for all the people wept when they heard the words of the law;
perceiving they had not kept it, but had broke it in many instances, and so liable to the wrath and judgment of God in case of disobedience.

Nehemiah 8:9 In-Context

7 The Levites taught the Law to the people. They remained standing while the Levites taught them. The Levites who were there included Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai and Hodiah. They also included Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah.

8 All of those Levites read parts of the Scroll of the Law of God to the people. They made it clear to them. They told them what it meant. So the people were able to understand what was being read.

9 Then Nehemiah and Ezra spoke up. So did the Levites who were teaching the people. All of those men said to the people, "This day is set apart to honor the LORD your God. So don't sob. Don't be sad." All of the people had been sobbing as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah was governor. Ezra was a priest and a teacher of the law.

10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy some good food and sweet drinks. Send some of it to those who don't have any. This day is set apart to honor our Lord. So don't be sad. The joy of the LORD makes you strong."

11 The Levites calmed all of the people down. They said, "Be quiet. This is a sacred day. So don't be sad."