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Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 8:11-12

Nehemiah 8:11-12. So the Levites stilled the people Whose passions, being once raised, could not very soon be composed. Saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy Cease from weeping and mournful cries, and turn your lamentations into thanksgivings. And the people went their way to eat, &c. Their weeping was stilled, and they complied with the directions that were given them. Because they understood the words that were declared to them Because they now knew God’s will, and their... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1-18

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Nehemiah 8:9-12

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

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:1-18

The Reading of the Law by Ezra1. The street] RV ’the broad place’: and so in Nehemiah 8:3, Nehemiah 8:16. The water gate] This probably led to the spring of Gihon (the Virgin’s spring).2. Ezra] It has been argued in the note on Ezra 10:44 that the effort to fortify Jerusalem described in Ezra 4:6-23 was made whilst Ezra was present there, and that the failure of it destroyed for a time his influence among his countrymen. The interval that elapsed between the destruction of the newly-built walls... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Nehemiah 8:11

(11) So the Levites.—As before, what Ezra said was repeated to the people in various directions by the Levites. But there was evidently an almost irrepressible emotion. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Nehemiah 8:12

(12) They had understood.—They had caught the meaning of the command to rejoice. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Nehemiah 8:1-18

The Curse Turned Into a Blessing Nehemiah 8:2 Refers to the time when Balak sent for Balaam to curse Israel. I. God Turns His Own Curses into Blessings. 1. Toil: leads to self-denial and self-sacrifice. 2. Difficulty: calls forth energy and develops strength. 3. Danger: awakens courage and fortitude. 4. Pain: reminds us of the evil of sin. 5. Sorrow: acts as a refiner's fire. II. God Turns Man's Curses into Blessings. The crucifixion of Christ was the means of man's redemption. The blood of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9-18

THE JOY OF THE LORDNehemiah 8:9-18"ALL the people wept when they heard the words of the law." Was it for this mournful end that Ezra had studied the sacred law and guarded it through the long years of political unrest, until at length he was able to make it known with all the pomp and circumstance of a national festival? Evidently the leaders of the people had expected no such result. But disappointing as it was, it might have been worse. The reading might have been listened to with... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Nehemiah 8:1-18

II. THE SPIRITUAL REVIVAL CHAPTER 8 1. The reading of the law before the water gate (Nehemiah 8:1-8 ) 2. A day of joy and not of mourning (Nehemiah 8:9-12 ) 3. The keeping of the feast of tabernacles (Nehemiah 8:13-18 ) Nehemiah 8:1-8 . This interesting chapter gives the record of a gracious revival through the reading of the law. All the people gathered themselves together as one man in the street that was before the water gate, the place which suggests the cleansing and refreshing... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:1-18

THE READING OF THE LAW (vv. 1-12) We have seen at the end of chapter 6 the wall was completed, and in chapter 7 appointments were made for the proper order to be maintained in the city. Now another matter of greatest importance is set before the people of Judah. Just as in any revival, the Word of God must be given the foremost place, so it is in chapter 8. For the first time in this book Ezra the scribe is mentioned. This man shows a lovely spirit. Though his ministry was absolutely... read more

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