5. when he opened it, all the people stood up—This attitude they assumed either from respect to God's word, or, rather, because the reading was prefaced by a solemn prayer, which was concluded by a general expression of "Amen, Amen." read more
7, 8. caused the people to understand the law . . . gave the sense—Commentators are divided in opinion as to the import of this statement. Some think that Ezra read the law in pure Hebrew, while the Levites, who assisted him, translated it sentence by sentence into Chaldee, the vernacular dialect which the exiles spoke in Babylon. Others maintain that the duty of these Levites consisted in explaining to the people, many of whom had become very ignorant, what Ezra had read. :-. THE PEOPLE... read more
9, 10. This day is holy unto the Lord . . . mourn not, nor weep—A deep sense of their national sins, impressively brought to their remembrance by the reading of the law and its denunciations, affected the hearts of the people with penitential sorrow. But notwithstanding the painful remembrances of their national sins which the reading of the law awakened, the people were exhorted to cherish the feelings of joy and thankfulness associated with a sacred festival (see on :-). By sending portions... read more
16. the people went forth, and brought . . . and made themselves booths, c.—(See on :- :-). read more
17. since the days of Jeshua . . . had not the children of Israel done so—This national feast had not been neglected for so protracted a period. Besides that it is impossible that such a flagrant disregard of the law could have been tolerated by Samuel, David, and other pious rulers, its observance is sufficiently indicated (1 Kings 8:2; 1 Kings 8:65; 2 Chronicles 7:9) and expressly recorded (Ezra 3:4). But the meaning is, that the popular feelings had never been raised to such a height of... read more
18. Also day by day . . . he read in the book of the law of God—This was more than was enjoined ( :-), and arose from the exuberant zeal of the time. on the eighth day was a solemn assembly—This was the last and great day of the feast (see on :-). In later times, other ceremonies which increased the rejoicing were added ( :-). read more
II. THE RESTORATION OF THE JEWS CHS. 8-13One writer viewed chapters 8-13 (really Neh 7:73-13:37) as the third part of the tripartite structure of Ezra-Nehemiah. Ezra 1:1-4 deals with "potentiality," the decree to the community to build God’s house. Ezra 1:5 -Nehemiah 7:72 records the process of "actualization." The community builds God’s house in response to the decree. Nehemiah 7:73 to Nehemiah 13:31 documents "success." The community celebrates the completion of God’s house according to the... read more
The reading of the law 8:1-8This ceremony reflects the form of Israelite worship that had developed in exile. Almost the same elements that characterized the synagogue services begun then appear here. The people assembled, there was a request for the reading of the Torah, someone opened the scroll, and the people stood. Then someone (Ezra) offered praise, the people responded, and they received instruction (a sermon). Finally the Law was read, an oral explanation and exhortation followed, and... read more
The response of the people 8:9-12Conviction of their departure from God’s will fell on the people as they heard the Law read. Their initial reaction was to mourn and weep (Nehemiah 8:9). However, the Law specified that the Feast of Trumpets was to be a joyous occasion, so Nehemiah urged them to rejoice in the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10). This joy, as they thought about Yahweh, would strengthen and sustain them as a tonic. Eating the fat (Nehemiah 8:9) means eating the best parts. The exposition of... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 8:4
4. Ezra . . . stood upon a pulpit of wood—Not made in the form known to us, but only a raised scaffold or platform, broad enough to allow fourteen persons to stand with ease upon it. Ezra's duty was very laborious, as he continued reading aloud from morning until midday, but his labor was lightened by the aid of the other priests present. Their presence was of importance, partly to show their cordial agreement with Ezra's declaration of divine truth; and partly to take their share with him in... read more