Nehemiah 8
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The street that was before the water gate - The gate which led from the temple to the brook Kidron.
Open source ↗RELIGIOUS MANNER OF READING AND HEARING THE LAW. (Neh 8:1-8) all the people gathered themselves together as one man--The occasion was the celebration of the feast of the seventh month (Neh 7:73). The beginning of every month was ushered in as a sacred festival; but this, the commencement of the seventh month, was kept with distinguished honor as "the feast of trumpets," which extended over two days. It was the first day of the seventh ecclesiastical year, and the new year's day of the Jewish civil year, on which account it was held as "a great day." The place where the general concourse of people was held was "at the water gate," on the south rampart. Through that gate the Nethinims or Gibeonites brought water into the temple, and there was a spacious area in front of it. they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses--He had come to Jerusalem twelve or thirteen years previous to Nehemiah. He either remained there or had returned to Babylon in obedience to the royal order, and for the discharge of important duties. He had returned along with Nehemiah, but in a subordinate capacity. From the time of Nehemiah's appointment to the dignity of tirshatha, Ezra had retired into private life. Although cordially and zealously co-operating with the former patriot in his important measures of reform, the pious priest had devoted his time and attention principally toward producing a complete edition of the canonical Scriptures. The public reading of the Scriptures was required by the law to be made every seventh year; but during the long period of the captivity this excellent practice, with many others, had fallen into neglect, till revived, on this occasion. That there was a strong and general desire among the returned exiles in Jerusalem to hear the word of…
Open source ↗And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the watergate,.... A large and commodious street for such a company of people, which led to the water gate, of which see Neh 3:26 hither the people gathered with great unanimity, zeal, and affection: and they spoke unto Ezra the scribe; the same who is called Ezra the priest, and scribe of the law of God, and said to be a ready one, Ezr 7:6, who came to Jerusalem thirteen years before this time; but very probably returned to Babylon again, and was lately come from thence: to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel; to observe what was commanded in it, and which he had ordered to be read, particularly every seventh year, at the feast of tabernacles, Deu 31:10 which was now drawing near, though this was not the precise time of reading it; hence some have thought this year was the sabbatical year; see Neh 5:11.
Open source ↗Neh 8:1-2. The public reading of the law. - Neh 8:1-3. The introduction to this narrative (Neh 7:73b-8:1a) is identical with Ezr 3:1. The same matter, the assembling of the people on the approach of the seventh month, is described in the same words. But the object of this assembling of the people was a different one from that mentioned in Ezr 3:1-13. Then they met to restore the altar of burnt-offering and the sacrificial worship; now, on the contrary, for the due solemnization of the seventh month, the festal month of the year. For this purpose the people came from the cities and villages of Judah to Jerusalem, and assembled "in the open space before the water-gate," i.e., to the south-east of the temple space. On the situation of the water-gate, see rem. on Neh 3:26; Neh 12:37., and Ezr 10:9. "And they spake unto Ezra the scribe" (see rem. on Ezr 7:11). The subject of ויּאמרוּ is the assembled people. These requested, through their rulers, that Ezra should fetch the book of the law of Moses, and publicly read it. This reading, then, was desired by the assembly. The motive for this request is undoubtedly to be found in the desire of the congregation to keep the new moon of the seventh month, as a feast of thanksgiving for the gracious assistance they had received from the Lord during the building of the wall, and through which it had been speedily and successfully completed, in spite of the attempts of their enemies to obstruct the work. This feeling of thankfulness impelled them to the hearing of the word of God for the purpose of making His law their rule of life. The assembly consisted of men and women indiscriminately (אשּׁה ועד אישׁ, like Jos 6:21; Jos 8:25; Sa1 22:19; Ch1 16:3), and לשׁמע מבין כּל, every one that understood in hearing, which would certainly inclu…
Open source ↗We have here an account of a solemn religious assembly, and the good work that was done in that assembly, to the honour of God and the edification of the church. I. The time of it was the first day of the seventh month, Neh 8:2. That was the day of the feast of trumpets, which is called a sabbath, and on which they were to have a holy convocation, Lev 23:24; Num 29:1. But that was not all: it was one that day that the altar was set up, and they began to offer their burnt-offerings after their return out of captivity, a recent mercy in the memory of many then living; in a thankful remembrance of that, it is likely, they had kept this feast ever since with more than ordinary solemnity. Divine favours which are fresh in mind, and which we ourselves have been witnesses of, should be, and usually are, most affecting. II. The place was in the street that was before the water-gate (Neh 8:1), a spacious broad street, able to contain so great a multitude, which the court of the temple was not; for probably it was not now built nearly so large as it had been in Solomon's time. Sacrifices were to be offered only at the door of the temple, but praying, and praising, and preaching, were, and are, services of religion as acceptably performed in one place as in another. When this congregation thus met in the street of the city no doubt God was with them. III. The persons that met were all the people, who were not compelled to come, but voluntarily gathered themselves together by common agreement, as one man: not only men came, but women and children, even as many as were capable of understanding what they heard. Masters of families should bring their families with them to the public worship of God. Women and children have souls to save, and are therefore concerned to acquaint themselv…
Open source ↗8:1 The Water Gate was located toward the middle of the eastern wall of Jerusalem, south of the Temple and east of the palace ruins (3:26; 12:37). There was plenty of open space so no one would be excluded.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רְחֹב (rᵉchôb, H7339) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
Open source ↗עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… רְחֹב (rᵉchôb, H7339) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) מַחֲצִית (machătsîyth, H4276) — a halving or the middle יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
Open source ↗עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) מִגְדָּל (migdâl, H4026) — a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed… עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אֵצֶל (ʼêtsel, H681) — a side; (as a preposition) near מַתִּתְיָה (Mattithyâh, H4993) — Mattithjah, the name of four Israelites שֶׁמַע (Shemaʻ, H8087) — Shema, the name of a place in Palestine and of four Israelites עֲנָיָה (ʻĂnâyâh, H6043) — Anajah, the name of two Israelites אוּרִיָּה (ʼÛwrîyâh, H223) — Urijah, the name of one Hittite and five Israelites חִלְקִיָּה (Chilqîyâh, H2518) — Chilhijah, the name of eight Israelites מַעֲשֵׂיָה (Maʻăsêyâh, H4641) — Maasejah, the name of sixteen Israelites
Open source ↗עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Open source ↗עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמֵן (ʼâmên, H543) — sure; abstract, faithfulness; adverb, truly מֹעַל (môʻal, H4607) — a raising (of the hands) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), קָדַד (qâdad, H6915) — to shrivel up, i.e. contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ, H3442) — Jeshua, the name of ten Israelites, also of a place in Palestine בָּנִי (Bânîy, H1137) — Bani, the name of five Israelites שֵׁרֵבְיָה (Shêrêbᵉyâh, H8274) — Sherebjah, the name of two Israelites יָמִין (Yâmîyn, H3226) — Jamin, the name of three Israelites עַקּוּב (ʻAqqûwb, H6126) — Akkub, the name of five Israelites שַׁבְּתַי (Shabbᵉthay, H7678) — Shabbethai, the name of three Israelites הוֹדִיָּה (Hôwdîyâh, H1941) — Hodijah, the name of three Israelites מַעֲשֵׂיָה (Maʻăsêyâh, H4641) — Maasejah, the name of sixteen Israelites קְלִיטָא (Qᵉlîyṭâʼ, H7042) — Kelita, the name of three Israelites עֲזַרְיָה (ʻĂzaryâh, H5838) — Azarjah, the name of nineteen Israelites יוֹזָבָד (Yôwzâbâd, H3107) — Jozabad, the name of ten Israelites חָנָן (Chânân, H2605) — Chanan, the name of seven Israelites פְּלָיָה (Pᵉlâyâh, H6411) — Pelajah, the name of three Israelites לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… פָּרָשׁ (pârâsh, H6567) — to separate, literally (to disperse) or figuratively (to specify); also (by implication)… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… שֶׂכֶל (sekel, H7922) — intelligence; by implication, success בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand מִקְרָא (miqrâʼ, H4744) — something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a…
Open source ↗נְחֶמְיָה (Nᵉchemyâh, H5166) — Nechemjah, the name of three Israelites תִּרְשָׁתָא (Tirshâthâʼ, H8660) — Tirshatha, the title of a Persian deputy or governor עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָבַל (ʼâbal, H56) — to bewail
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) מַשְׁמָן (mashmân, H4924) — fat, i.e. (literally and abstractly) fatness; but usually (figuratively and concretely) a… שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) מַמְתַּק (mamtaq, H4477) — something sweet (literally or figuratively) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מָנָה (mânâh, H4490) — properly, something weighed out, i.e. (generally) a division; specifically (of food) a… כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) עָצַב (ʻâtsab, H6087) — properly, to carve, i.e. fabricate or fashion; hence (in a bad sense) to worry, pain or… חֶדְוָה (chedvâh, H2304) — rejoicing
Open source ↗לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi חָשָׁה (châshâh, H2814) — to hush or keep quiet עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) הָסָה (hâçâh, H2013) — to hush יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… עָצַב (ʻâtsab, H6087) — properly, to carve, i.e. fabricate or fashion; hence (in a bad sense) to worry, pain or…
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מָנָה (mânâh, H4490) — properly, something weighed out, i.e. (generally) a division; specifically (of food) a… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent שִׂמְחָה (simchâh, H8057) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival) בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,…
Open source ↗שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… שָׂכַל (sâkal, H7919) — to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
Open source ↗מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… סֻכָּה (çukkâh, H5521) — a hut or lair חַג (chag, H2282) — a festival, or a victim therefor שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted Ezra all his requests, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.
and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.
And Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan.
Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in the commandments and statutes of the LORD to Israel:
Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute in town after town.
Then all the people stood as one man and said, “Not one of us will return to his tent or to his house.
Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.
And the people went out, brought back branches, and made booths on their own rooftops, in their courtyards, in the court of the house of God, and in the squares by the Water Gate and by the Gate of Ephraim.