Nehemiah 8:11

11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, "Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye 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 And Nehemiah, who is the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said unto all the people, "This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.

10 Then he said unto them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send portions unto those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy unto our LORD; neither be ye sorry, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

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

12 And 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 unto them.

13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.