Nehemiah 8:12

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.

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 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.

14 They found written in the law, how that the LORD had commanded by Moshe, that the children of Yisra'el should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;