Nehemiah 8

A relation of the religious order and manner, kept by Ezra and the Levites in the reading and expounding, and by the people in the bearing of the word of God, vers.1, &c. The people being terrified and troubled by the words of the book of the law, are comforted by Nehemia Ezra, and the Levites, and exhorted to rejoice at Gods former and present mercies, 9. The Rulers of the people do further search and inquire by Ezra, into the meaning of Gods word, and finding the law concerning the feast of Leaf-huts, they and all the people keep the same with great zeal and rejoicing, 13.

1. Now when the seventh month [See Ezra 3.on ver.1.] came, and the children of Israel were in their cities.

2. Then all the people gathered themselves together [See above chapter 7.5.] as one man [see JUdg.20.on vers.1.] in the street before the water gate: [See above chap.3. 26.] and they spake unto Ezra the Scribe, that he should fetch the book of the law of Moseh, [written by Moseh at Gods appointment, and by him also delivered and laid up, to be read at certain times and seasons before all the people. See Deu.31.9, etc and vers.24, etc.] which the LORD had commanded Israel.

3. And Ezra the Priest brought the law before the Congregation, both men and women [Hebr. from the man to the woman] and all that were of understanding to hear, on the first day of the seventh month.

4. And he read therein before the street, which is before the water-gate, from the (morning) light until midday, before the men and the women, and those of understanding: and the ears of all the people were the book of the law. [that is, they attended diligently all that while, without wearisomeness or tediousness]

5. And Ezra stood upon a high wooden chair, [Hebr, upon a tower of wood; so is that chair called, because that for roundness and height it had some resemblance unto a tower] which they had made for that purpose and next to him stood Mattiihja, and Sema, and Anaja, and Uria, and Hilkia, and Maaseja on his right hand, and on his left hand, Pedaja, and Misael, and Malcha, and Hasum, and Hasbaddana, [Or, Hasbedana] Zacharia, (and) Mesullam.

6. And Ezra opened the book before the eyes of all the people; for he was above all the people: [that is, he stood higher, so that all of them might see him] And when he opened it, all the people stood (up)

7. And Ezra praised [Hebr. blessed] the LORD, the great God: And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, [See Numb.5.on vers.22.] with lifting up their hands, and (they) bowed themselves, and worshipped the LORD, [or, bowed themselves before the Lord: as above chap.9.3.] with (their) faces to the ground.

8. Now Jesua, and Bani, and Serebja, Jamin, Akkub, Sabbethai, Hodia, Maaseja, Kelita, Azaria, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaja, and the Levites [Having also their chairs or scaffolds to instruct the Congregation that were divided into sundry parts or parties, as may be gathered from chap.9.4.] instructed the people in the law: And the people stood in their station. [Heb. (were) on their standing; that is, thy stood all in their places, giving diligent attemtion.]

9. And they read in the book, in the law of God distinct: And expounding [Hebr. setting, or, applying the understanding thereto: Some understanding it of the teachers, and others of the people] the sense, they caused it to be understood in the reading. [oth. they understood it to be understood in the reading. [oth. they understood that; that is, the reading which was read. Oth. in, or, by the Scripture: Seeing the Hebrew may also signify the holy Scripture, because the same ought to be read. Some translate it; in the congregation; as the Hebrew word is elsewhere used.]

10. And Nehemiah, (the same is Hattirsatha) [See Ezra 2.on vers.63.] and Ezra the Priests, the Scribe, and the Levites that instructed the people, said unto all the people; this day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn (then) not, nor weep: [for the holy Feasts were appointed by God to an holy joy and rejoicing at Gods mercies. See Numb.10.10. Deut.16.1.] for all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. [understanding out of the law, how often and frequently they had transgressed the same, and provoked Gods just wrath against themselves.]

11. Moreover he said unto them; go, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them, for whom nothing is prepared, [To wit, unto the poor, to the widows and fatherless, according to the law, Deut.10.11,14. See also Esth.9.19. Rev.11.10.] for this day is holy unto our LORD: be not then grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. [that is, the occasion, which God giveth you to rejoice at in Gods former and present mercies, should comfort your consciences, and put strength and courage into you.]

12. And the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for this day is holy, therefore be ye not grieved.

13. Then all the people went their ways, to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, [As verse 11.] and to make great mirth: for they had understood the words which had been made known unto them.

14. And on the second day were gathered together the heads of the fathers of all the people, the Priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the Scribe, and that for to get understanding in the words of the Law. [Or, that he might instruct, or, inform them, to wit, concerning their duty, towards the law of God.]

15. And they found written in the law, which the LORD had commanded by the hand [That is, by the ministry] of Moseh, that the children of Israel should dwell in leaf-huts, o the Feast, in the seventh month.

16. And that they should publish it [Hebr. cause it to be heard] and cause a voice to pass throughout all their cities, and at Jerusalem, [See of this phrase Ezra 1.on verse 1. See likewise concerning the proclaiming or publishing of Feasts, the commandment of God, Levit.23.4.] saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch branches [Heb. leaves, that is boughs, or branches with leaves: and so in the sequel. Compare Levit.23.40.] of olive-trees, and branches of (other) oil-trees, [Oth. Pine trees] and branches of Myrtle trees, and branches of palm-trees, and branches of (other) close trees, [That are full of branches and leaves] to make leaf-huts, as it is written.

17. So the people went forth, and fetch them, and made themselves leaf-huts, every one upon his roof, [For the tops or roofs of the houses in those Countries, were flat. See Deut.22.on verse 8.] and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, [See 2 Chron.23.on verse 5.] and in the street of the water-gate, and in the street of Ephraims gate.

18. And all the congregation of those that were come again out of the captivity, made leaf-huts, and dwelt in those leaf-huts, for the children of Israel had not done so [With such zeal, and joy, as is express in the following verse] since the days of Jesua, [This is Jesua, who was the first that brought Israel into the land of Promise. See the book of Jesua] the sun of Nun, unto this day; and there was very great rejoicing.

19. And they read in the book of the Law of God day by day, from the first day unto the last day: [Keeping thus daily holy assemblies, which otherwise was wont to be done chiefly on the first and last day. This was a token of their special zeal and joy in Gods special grace and favour. See Levit.23.35,36. And compare Deut.31.10,11,12,13.] and they kept the Feast seven days, and on the eighth day the prohibition-day, [See Levit.23.on verse 36.] according to the right.