Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:14
And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
14. And they found written ] The passages in the Pentateuch relating to the Feast of Tabernacles are Exo 23:16; Lev 23:39-43; Num 29:12-38; Deu 16:13; Deu 16:15. The reference here is to Leviticus 23: and Deuteronomy 16. For ‘found,’ cf. Neh 13:1; Luk 4:17.
which the Lord had commanded ] R.V. how that the LORD had commanded. The A.V. along with the LXX. ( ) understood this first relative clause to be descriptive of ‘the law,’ as in Neh 9:14, Neh 10:30; and to this there would be no objection, if it were not followed by a second relative clause. The R.V. is probably right in making the second of the two relative clauses dependent upon the first, and the first dependent upon the main verb ‘they found’ (so also the Hebrew accents and the Vulgate).
that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month ] Of the four passages in the Pentateuch quoted above, which refer to the Feast of Tabernacles, Exo 23:16 calls it ‘the feast of ingathering’ and speaks indefinitely of its occurring ‘at the end of the year when thou gatherest in thy labours out of the field;’ Deu 16:13 calls it ‘the feast of tabernacles’ (Heb. booths) and enjoins its being kept ‘after that thou hast gathered in from thy threshing-floor and from thy winepress,’ but makes no mention of ‘dwelling in booths;’ Leviticus 23. speaks of ‘the feast of tabernacles’ (Heb. booths) being on the 15th day of the 7th month (Lev 23:34), ‘when ye have gathered in the fruits of the land’ (Lev 23:39), calls it ‘the feast of the Lord’ (Lev 23:39) and gives the command ‘ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are homeborn in Israel shall dwell in booths’ (Lev 23:42); Num 29:12 enjoins the keeping of ‘a feast unto the Lord’ on the 15th day of the 7th month, but does not refer to the dwelling in booths.
The reference therefore here is to Leviticus 23. The ‘feast of tabernacles’ was emphatically the feast of the 7th month: cf. Jdg 21:19; Jdg 21:21; (? 1Sa 1:7; 1Sa 1:21); 1Ki 8:2; 1Ki 8:65, (Neh 12:32-33); Isa 30:29; Hos 12:9; Zec 14:16; Ezr 3:4. In the present passage the literal rendering would be ‘on the feast in the seventh month.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The Feast of tabernacles had fallen into abeyance either entirely, or as regarded the dwelling in booths Neh 8:17, since the time when it was kept by Zerubbabel Ezr 3:4. It is evident that the observance of the Law, impossible during the captivity, was restored slowly and with difficulty after the return.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 14. In the feast of the seventh month] That is, the feast of tabernacles, which was held in commemoration of the sojourning of their fathers in the wilderness after they had been delivered from the Egyptian bondage. Now, having been delivered from the Babylonish captivity, and the proper time of the year occurring, it was their especial duty to keep the same feast.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They found, upon Ezras information, and their discourse with him.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And they found written in the law which the Lord had commanded by Moses,…. The children of Israel, to be observed by them; either by hearing it read the day before, or by conversation with Ezra, they perceived it was enjoined in the law, particularly in
Le 23:39
that the children of Israel should dwell in booths, in the feast of the seventh month: which was the same month, and this the second day of it, and therefore the time drew near for keeping it; for it was to begin the fifteenth.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
14. They found written That is, in the course of their reading and study they came to the passage treating of the feast of tabernacles. The passage was not found as a new discovery a law and custom of whose existence they were not aware for the feast had been celebrated in the time of Zerubbabel, (Ezr 3:4,) and, doubtless, often afterwards. The law on the feast of tabernacles is found at Lev 23:34-43, and Deu 16:13-15.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(14) And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month: (15) And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written. (16) So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, everyone upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim. (17) And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness. (18) Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.
This custom of erecting booths is kept up to the present hour by the Jews. But alas! to what purpose? Do they read the law as their fathers did, from the first day to the last of their feasts? I fear not; though I presume not to judge them. But thus far I am authorized to say; their minds are blinded; for until this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. But what a precious scripture is that which so sweetly and graciously promiseth: Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 2Co 3:14-16 . Oh! who will not add, in all the fervency of prayer, Hasten, Lord, the gracious hour! may the Lord Jesus, the great deliverer, arise in Zion, and take away ungodliness from Jacob!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Neh 8:14 And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
Ver. 14. And they found written in the law ] And therefore in nowise to be neglected, since there God had written for them great things, Hos 8:12 ; excellent things, Pro 22:20 ; marvellous things, Psa 119:18 . There is a mountain of sense hanging upon every apex or tittle of it, say the Rabbis; who do, therefore, prescribe to their disciples not to write any letter of it but by a copy; not to read it but in a clean place; not to touch it but with the right hand; not to carry it about him but next his heart, &c. (Schickard).
That the children of Israel should dwell in booths
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
found: i.e. they came to the place where direction was given.
written. See note on Exo 17:14, and App-47.
children = sons.
booths. Compare Lev 28:39-43. Deu 16:13-15.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
by: Heb. by the hand of
dwell: Lev 23:34, Lev 23:40-43, Deu 16:13-15, Zec 14:16-19, Joh 7:2
booths: Gen 33:17
the feast: That is, the feast of tabernacles, which was held in the month Tisri, the seventh of the ecclesiastical year, in commemoration of the sojourning of the Israelites in the wilderness after they had been delivered from Egyptian bondage. For other particulars see the parallel passages.
Reciprocal: Exo 23:16 – ingathering Lev 23:42 – General Num 29:12 – the fifteenth day 1Ki 8:2 – at the feast 2Ki 22:10 – Shaphan 2Ch 17:7 – to teach Ezr 3:1 – the seventh Ezr 3:4 – the feast Ezr 10:3 – let it Jer 35:6 – Ye shall Jer 35:7 – all Eze 45:25 – In the seventh
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 8:14-15. And they found written in the law Upon Ezras information, and through their discourse with him; that the children of Israel should dwell in booths As a memorial of their dwelling in tents in the wilderness, a representation of the tabernacle state of Gods people in this world, and a type of the holy joy of the gospel church. They that diligently search the Scriptures, will find those things written there which they had forgotten, or not duly considered before. And that they should publish That is, they also found that written; Saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive-branches Namely, the mount of Olives, which was next Jerusalem, and stored with olive-trees, and probably with the other trees here mentioned: for these trees seem to have been planted there, and in the neighbouring parts, principally for the use of the city in this very feast, which, though long neglected, ought to have been celebrated every year. And this place seems here to be referred to as being the most eminent, but to be put for any place near to the cities of Judah where these branches could be procured.