Nehemiah 8:3

3 And he read in it from the time of sun-rise to the middle of the day, before the men and the women; and they understood , and the ears of all the people to the book of the law.

Nehemiah 8:3 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 8:3

And he read therein
Some passages in it, here and there, which it was necessary the people should have knowledge of; for it can hardly be thought be began and read on just in the order in which it was: this he did

before the street;
at the top of it, at one end of it:

that was before the water gate;
which looked directly to that:

from the morning until midday;
from the rising of the sun to noon, so that he must read six hours; but very probably was relieved at times by the men with him, after mentioned:

before the men and the women, and those that could understand;
see ( Nehemiah 8:2 ) ,

and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law;
to the hearing of it read, and to the things contained in it; hence Maimonides ^F8 gathers, that as soon as the reader begins the reading of the law, it is not lawful to speak about anything, not even the constitutions of the law, but silently to attend to what is read.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Hilchot Tephillah, c. 12. sect. 9.

Nehemiah 8:3 In-Context

1 And the seventh month arrived, and the children of Israel in their cities; and all the people were gathered as one man to the broad place before the water-gate, and they told Esdras the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord commanded Israel.

2 So Esdras the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and every one who had understanding to hearken, on the first day of the seventh month.

3 And he read in it from the time of sun-rise to the middle of the day, before the men and the women; and they understood , and the ears of all the people to the book of the law.

4 And Esdras the scribe stood on a wooden stage, and there stood next to him Mattathias, and Samaeas, and Ananias, and Urias, and Chelcia, and Massia, on his right hand; and on his left Phadaeas, and Misael, and Melchias, and Asom, and Asabadma, and Zacharias, and Mesollam.

5 And Esdras opened the book before all the people, for he was above the people; and it came to pass when he had opened it, all the people stood.