Nehemiah 8:11

11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your shalom, for the day is holy; neither be you grieved.

Nehemiah 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 8:11

So the Levites stilled all the people
Made them quiet and easy, being backed by the governor:

saying, hold your peace;
refrain from weeping and mourning:

for the day is holy;
a festival, set apart for joy and gladness:

neither be ye grieved;
inwardly; as they were not to show any signs of sorrow outwardly, so they were not to cherish grief inwardly.

Nehemiah 8:11 In-Context

9 Nechemyah, who was the governor, and Ezra the Kohen the Sofer, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, This day is holy to the LORD your God; don't mourn, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

10 Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord: neither be you grieved; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your shalom, for the day is holy; neither be you grieved.

12 All the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

13 On the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers' [houses] of all the people, the Kohanim, and the Levites, to Ezra the Sofer, even to give attention to the words of the law.