Nehemiah 8:5-15

5 Ezra, standing higher than all the other people, opened the book in front of all the people. As he opened it, all the people stood up.

6 Ezra thanked the LORD, the great God. All the people responded, "Amen! Amen!" as they raised their hands and then bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped the LORD.

7 The Levites--Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah--explained the Teachings to the people while they were standing there.

8 They read the Book of God's Teachings clearly and explained the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people told them, "This is a holy day for the LORD your God. Don't mourn or cry." All the people were crying as they listened to the reading of God's Teachings.

10 Then he told them, "Go, eat rich foods, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who cannot provide for themselves. Today is a holy day for the Lord. Don't be sad because the joy you have in the LORD is your strength."

11 So the Levites calmed all the people by saying, "Listen. Today is a holy day. Don't be sad."

12 Then all the people went to eat and drink and to send portions. They had a big, joyful celebration because they understood the words that had been explained to them.

13 On the second day the leaders of the families of all the people, including the priests and the Levites, met with Ezra the scribe to study the words of God's Teachings.

14 They found written in the Teachings that the LORD had given an order through Moses that the people of Israel should live in booths during a festival in the seventh month.

15 They should announce this command and send this message throughout all their cities and Jerusalem: "Go to the mountains, and get branches--olive and wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other thick-leaved branches--to make booths as it is written."

Nehemiah 8:5-15 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.