Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:12

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.

12. send portions ] Cf. Neh 8:10.

because they had understood the words that were declared unto them ] Literally, ‘the words which they had declared unto them.’ The LXX. , Vulg. ‘docuerat’ make it probable that there was a reading ‘Which he had declared unto them.’ What are ‘the words’ here referred to? Some think that we should understand by them the command of Ezra and the Levites that the people should be joyful (Neh 8:9-11). But this gives a very limited application, and we should then have expected some other verb like ‘obeyed’ or ‘gave heed to’ rather than ‘understood.’ It will be noticed that the word ‘understood’ is the same as that used in Neh 8:8. This supplies the probable interpretation. The people sorrowed (Neh 8:9) because they had not kept the Law: they now rejoiced because they were able to understand it.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Because they now knew Gods mind, and their own duty, which they were resolved to practise; which gave them ground of hope and trust in Gods mercy, and consequently of great and just joy.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

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? Ps 89:15.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(12) They had understood.They had caught the meaning of the command to rejoice.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

Neh 8:12 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.

Ver. 12. And all the people went their way to eat ] To do all that they were directed to do. They had been in the furnace of mortification; and now they were willing to be cast into the mould of God’s word, and to be whatsoever the Lord would have them to be. They were only his clay and wax, a willing people, waiting for his law.

And to make great mirth ] i.e. All kind of honest jollity; for the better exciting their hearts to true thankthlness.

Because they had understood the words ] Not the threatenings only to the refractory, but the promises also to the penitent and obedient. The Levites had taught them, doubtless, as the truth is in Jesus, that God therefore threateneth that he may not punish, and desireth to be disarmed, Amo 4:12 ; that he giveth to do what he commandeth to be done; that his mercy is from everlasting to everlasting to them that fear him, to them that keep his covenant, and that think upon his commandments to do them, qui faciunt praecepta, etsi non perfieiant, that are doing at it, though they are far from perfection, Psa 103:18 . This was very comfortable; this put into them that joy of the Lord which was their strength; this more cheered them than all their good cheer of their peace offerings.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

to send: Neh 8:10

to make: Psa 126:1-3

because: Neh 8:7, Neh 8:8, Job 23:12, Psa 19:8-11, Psa 119:14, Psa 119:16, Psa 119:72, Psa 119:97, Psa 119:103, Psa 119:104, Psa 119:111, Psa 119:127, Psa 119:130, Psa 119:171, Psa 119:174, Pro 2:10, Pro 2:11, Pro 24:13, Pro 24:14, Jer 15:16, Luk 24:32, Rom 7:18

Reciprocal: 1Ch 29:22 – eat and drink Jer 30:19 – out Jer 33:11 – the voice of them Luk 14:13 – call Jam 1:19 – let

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge