Nehemiah 8:16. Every one upon the roof of his house Which, according to the law, was made flat, Deuteronomy 22:8. And in their courts Those belonging to their houses: for the booths might be made anywhere in the open air. And in the street of the gate of Ephraim The gate of the city which led to the tribe of Ephraim. read more
Nehemiah 8:17. Since the days of Jeshua, had not the children of Israel done so The meaning here cannot be that this festival had never been observed since Joshua’s time, because we are informed, (Ezra 3:4,) that it was kept at their return from Babylon; but the joy, since that time, had never been so great as it was now, “for which the Jews themselves,” says Dr. Dodd, “assign this reason; that in the days of Joshua they rejoiced, because they had gotten possession of the land of Canaan;... read more
Nehemiah 8:18. Day by day he read in the book of the law of God The law was commanded to be read at this feast, Deuteronomy 31:10-12. But the reading of it was not enjoined to be continued every day, as was now done through their singular and very laudable zeal. read more
8:1-13:31 NEHEMIAH’S REFORMSFirst reading of the law (8:1-18)The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the sixth month (see 6:15). Israel’s mid-year meetings and festivals were held during the seventh month (Leviticus 23:24,Leviticus 23:27,Leviticus 23:34), so this was a fitting occasion to assemble the people to celebrate the completion of the rebuilt wall (see 7:73b, 8:1). (The same time of the year had been chosen for the dedication of the rebuilt altar more than ninety years... read more
And = Then. street = broad or open space. See verses: Nehemiah 8:3 , Nehemiah 8:16 , Neh 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 . read more
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 ). read more
morning = daylight. men. Hebrew, plural 'enosh . App-14 . read more
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". read more
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 ). read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 8:14-15
Nehemiah 8:14-15. And they found written in the law Upon Ezra’s 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 God’s 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... read more