Bible Commentary

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. 13 18. The Feast of Tabernacles 13. the second day ] i.e. of the month Tisri, cf. Neh 8:2. the chief … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:13”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:12”

So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day [is] holy; neither be ye grieved. 11. Hold your peace ] This expression has been compared with the Latin ‘Favete linguis.’ It was ill-omened to make use of words or signs of lamentation on a holy day, cf. Hab 2:20, ‘The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:11”

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them 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. 10. Then he said ] Who issued the command, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:10”

And Nehemiah, which [is] the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that 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. 9. Nehemiah, which is the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:9”

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused [them] to understand the reading. 8. So they read ] R.V. And they read. The account does not make it clear, whether the Levites were reading at the same time as Ezra, groups being gathered round the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:8”

Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people [stood] in their place. 7. Also Jeshua &c.] Of the 13 names here mentioned we find four, i.e. Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Hodiah, mentioned among the Levites … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:7”

And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the LORD with [their] faces to the ground. 6. the great God ] cf. Neh 9:32; Ezr 5:8. In Nehemiah’s own writing it occurs Neh 1:5. Amen, Amen … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:6”

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: 5. opened ] i.e. unrolled, cf. Luk 4:17. above all the people ] i.e. raised above them in his pulpit. all the people stood up ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:5”

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, [and] Meshullam. 4. a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 8:4”