Nehemiah 8:2-10

2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.

3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

4 Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.

6 Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there.

8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear^[a] and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

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Nehemiah 8:2-10 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 12

1. Leviticus 23:23-25; Numbers 29:1-6
2. S Deuteronomy 31:11
3. S Nehemiah 3:26
4. 2 Chronicles 6:13
5. Judges 3:20
6. Exodus 4:31; S Ezra 9:5; 1 Timothy 2:8
7. S Ezra 10:23
8. S Leviticus 10:11; S 2 Chronicles 17:7
9. Ne 7:1,65,70
10. Deuteronomy 12:7,12; Deuteronomy 16:14-15
11. 1 Samuel 25:8; S 2 Samuel 6:19; Esther 9:22; Luke 14:12-14
12. S Leviticus 23:40; S Deuteronomy 12:18; Deuteronomy 16:11,14-15

Footnotes 1

[a]. Or "God, translating it"