Bible Commentaries

And = Then.

street = broad or open space. See verses: Nehemiah 8:3, Nehemiah 8:16, Nehemiah 8:26; Nehemiah 12:30, Nehemiah 12:37, Nehemiah 12:40.

the water gate. See notes on Nehemiah 3:26 with Nehemiah 5:9.

the book = scroll. The well-known book (Deuteronomy 31:10, Deuteronomy 31:11). See App-47.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah.(with "eth). App-4.

Ezra the priest. It was the priest's duty at this and at all times to teach the people the Word of God. See note on Deuteronomy 17:11; Deuteronomy 33:10; and compare Malachi 2:7.

congregation = assembly or muster.

upon the first day, &c. This was according to the requirement of Deuteronomy 31:9-12, every seventh year. Compare Leviticus 23:23 - Nehemiah 2:5).

morning = daylight.

men. Hebrew, plural "enosh. App-14.

pulpit = high platform. Eng. "pulpit" from Latin. pulpitum, a stage of a theatre.

beside him. Thirteen priests with him: fourteen in all.

and. Some codices, with five early printed editions, omit this "and".

opened the book = unrolled the scroll.

in the sight = before the eyes.

stood up. In token of reverence (Judges 3:20. Job 29:8, Job 37:14).

God. Hebrew. Elohim.(with Art.) = the [true]God. App-4.

Amen, Amen. Figure of speech Epizeuxis, emphasizing the great solemnity.

lifting up. Hebrew. mo"al. Occurs only here. Compare 1 Timothy 2:8.

read in the book: i.e. the Hebrew text of the Pentateuch. See App-47.

distinctly = a distinct [reading], i.e. (according to the Talmud) translating and interpreting it in the Chaldee paraphrase.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), to emphasize each clause.

gave the sense: i.e. divided the sentences, &c, according to sense.

caused them to understand the reading: i.e. gave the traditional pronunciation of the words (which were then without the vowel points).

Nehemiah. He now uses the third person. This is not necessarily a sign of change of authorship.

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5.

is = it [is].

joy. Chaldee. hedvah. Occurs only here, 1 Chronicles 16:27, and Ezra 6:16. is = that [is].

strength = defence, or refuge.

chief = heads.

found: i.e. they came to the place where direction was given.

written. See note on Exodus 17:14, and App-47.

children = sons.

booths. Compare Leviticus 28:39-43. Deuteronomy 16:13-15.

mount = hill country.

as it is written. See Leviticus 23:42.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), to mark the minuteness of the obedience.

one = man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

Jeshua. Another spelling of Joshua.

not . . . done so., 2 Chronicles 8:13 speaks only of the offerings required by the Law, which Solomon offered. Nothing is said there of what the People did; so that there is no "discrepancy", as is alleged.

Israel. See note on 1 Kings 12:17.

he. Some codices, with Syriac, read "they".

assembly = restraint: i.e. restraint from work.

manner = regulation, or ordinance. Nehemiah 9:1, Nehemiah 10:39 is parallel with Ezra 9:1, Ezra 10:44. Ezra 4:1, Ezra 8:36 comes between Nehemiah 8:18 with Nehemiah 9:1. See the Table and Structure on p. 617, notes on p. 618, and App-58.