Nehemiah 8:12

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 8:12

(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

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1-18

INTERNAL REGULATIONS A NEW GENEALOGICAL RECORD (Nehemiah 7:0 ) The need for this assignment of duty to the two men named (Nehemiah 7:2 ), is not apparent unless Nehemiah contemplated a return to Persia. Later it will be seen that such return took place, but whether at this time or not, is not clear. To “fear God above many,” as Hananiah did, is a great commendation. It was customary to open the gates of a city at sunrise, but to do so in this case before the inhabitants were well awake and... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Nehemiah 8:1-18

Nehemiah 8:0 1. And all the people gathered themselves together as one man [the unanimity rather than the number is emphatic here] into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra [who appears in this book for the first time, having probably been at the court for twelve years] the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Nehemiah 8:10-12

(10) Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. (11) So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. (12) And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that... read more

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