Nehemiah 8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:6

And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God ,.... Before he began to read in the book of the law, he addressed himself to God in a short prayer, wholly in the benedictory way; ascribing blessing, honour, and glory to him, celebrating his being and perfections, setting forth his greatness and his excellency, who was the author and giver of the law he was about to read; and this he the rather did, that what he read might be the more carefully attended to, and come with the greater authority,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:7

Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites ,.... That is, others of them besides those named; for they seem all to be Levites, unless they can be thought to be priests, and so the Levites are distinguished from them; but the former seems evident from Nehemiah 9:4 these also caused the people to understand the law ; as well as Ezra; from whence it is plain that he did not only read the law,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:8

So they read in the book ,.... Ezra and those with him; he first began to read and expound, and when weary they relieved him, and did the same: in the law of God distinctly ; which was the book they read in, and which they read plainly and intelligibly, so as to be heard and understood; this seems to respect the clear and distinct pronunciation of the words of it, and not the explanation or meaning of it, which is after expressed; some think the sense is, that they first read it in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9

And Nehemiah which is the Tirshatha ,.... Or governor, as Zerubbabel had been, and now Nehemiah, see Ezra 2:63 and Ezra the priest and scribe ; see Nehemiah 8:1 , and the Levites that taught the people ; see Nehemiah 8:7 said unto all the people, this day is holy unto the Lord your God ; being both the new moon and the feast of blowing of trumpets: mourn not, nor weep ; which was unsuitable to a festival, and especially such an one as this, in which trumpets were to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said unto them ,.... Nehemiah the Tirshatha or governor: go your way ; to their own houses, and refresh themselves; it being noon, and they had stood many hours attentive to the reading and expounding of the law: eat the fat, and drink the sweet : not a common meal, but a feast, consisting of the richest provisions, the best of food and liquors and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared ; for the poor, who had no food at home provided for them; the widow,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:11

So the Levites stilled all the people ,.... Made them quiet and easy, being backed by the governor: saying, hold your peace ; refrain from weeping and mourning: for the day is holy ; a festival, set apart for joy and gladness: neither be ye grieved ; inwardly; as they were not to show any signs of sorrow outwardly, so they were not to cherish grief inwardly. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:12

And all the people went their way to eat and to drink ,.... Freely and cheerfully: and to send portions ; to the poor, who had nothing to eat and drink: and to make great mirth ; with music, vocal and instrumental: because they had understood the words that were declared unto them ; the meaning of the several laws read and explained unto them, whereby they better understood their duty, and in what instances and in what manner it was to be performed; how much more reason is there... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:13

And on the second day were gathered together ,.... The second day of the month, and of the new year, the day after the feast of blowing of trumpets, and after the law had been read and explained: the chief of the fathers of all the people : heads of tribes and families: the priests and the Levites; who, though they were instructors of others, needed to be taught themselves, of which they were sensible: and therefore came unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:14

And they found written in the law which the Lord had commanded by Moses ,.... The children of Israel, to be observed by them; either by hearing it read the day before, or by conversation with Ezra, they perceived it was enjoined in the law, particularly in Leviticus 23:39 that the children of Israel should dwell in booths, in the feast of the seventh month : which was the same month, and this the second day of it, and therefore the time drew near for keeping it; for it was to begin the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:15

And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem ,.... That is, as Jarchi interprets it, by supplying it thus: and they commanded that they should publish , &c.; Ezra and those with him gave orders that heralds should proclaim in all cities where the Jews dwelt that the feast of tabernacles would be kept, and they should prepare for it; and which seems to be the true sense, since it is not written in the law that such a proclamation should be made; but... read more

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