Nehemiah 8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 8

Ezra came up out of Babylon thirteen years before Nehemiah came, yet we have here a piece of good work which he did, that might have been done before, but was not done till Nehemiah came, who, though he was not such a scholar nor such a divine as Ezra, nor such a scribe in the law of his God, yet was a man of a more lively active spirit. His zeal set Ezra's learning on work, and then great things were done, as we find here, where we have, I. The public and solemn reading and expounding of the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1-8

We have here an account of a solemn religious assembly, and the good work that was done in that assembly, to the honour of God and the edification of the church. I. The time of it was the first day of the seventh month, Neh. 8:2. That was the day of the feast of trumpets, which is called a sabbath, and on which they were to have a holy convocation, Lev. 23:24; Num. 29:1. But that was not all: it was one that day that the altar was set up, and they began to offer their burnt-offerings after... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 8:9-12

We may here observe, I. How the people were wounded with the words of the law that were read to them. The law works death, and speaks terror, shows men their sins, and their misery and danger because of sin, and thunders a curse against every one that continues not in every part of his duty. Therefore when they heard it they all wept (Neh. 8:9): it was a good sign that their hearts were tender, like Josiah's when he heard the words of the law. They wept to think how they had offended God, and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 8:13-18

We have here, I. The people's renewed attendance upon the word. They had spent the greatest part of one day in praying and hearing, and yet were so far from being weary of that new moon and sabbath that the next day after, though it was no festival, the chief of them came together again to hear Ezra expound (Neh. 8:13), which they found more delightful and gainful than any worldly pleasure or profit whatsoever. Note, The more we converse with the word of God, if we rightly understand it and be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8

INTRODUCTION TO NEHEMIAH 8 Ezra being desired to bring forth the book of the law, read it to the people and others, expounded it to them, Nehemiah 8:1 and Nehemiah exhorted the people to express joy and gladness on this occasion, which they did, Nehemiah 8:9 and observing the feast of tabernacles was in the law commanded to be observed, they kept it very strictly and joyfully, Nehemiah 8:13 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1

And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the watergate ,.... A large and commodious street for such a company of people, which led to the water gate, of which see Nehemiah 3:26 hither the people gathered with great unanimity, zeal, and affection: and they spoke unto Ezra the scribe ; the same who is called Ezra the priest, and scribe of the law of God, and said to be a ready one, Ezra 7:6 , who came to Jerusalem thirteen years before... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:2

And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation ,.... Having a perfect copy of it, which the people knew, and therefore desired him to bring it; he brought it either out of his own case or chest, or out of the temple where it was laid up; some restrain this to the book of Deuteronomy; this he produced in sight of the whole assembly: both of men and women ; adult persons of each sex, who met promiscuously; though Grotius thinks the women had a separate place: and all that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:3

And he read therein ,.... Some passages in it, here and there, which it was necessary the people should have knowledge of; for it can hardly be thought be began and read on just in the order in which it was: this he did before the street ; at the top of it, at one end of it: that was before the water gate ; which looked directly to that: from the morning until midday ; from the rising of the sun to noon, so that he must read six hours; but very probably was relieved at times by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:4

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose ,.... Or to speak out of, as the Syriac and Arabic versions; this, in the Hebrew text, is called a "tower" F9 על מגדל עץ "super turrem ligni", Montanus; so Dionysius is said, "concionari ex turri alta", Ciceron. Tuscul. Quaest. l. 5. , partly because of its height, and partly because in the form of one; and also for its largeness, considering the use it was for; for it was so large as to hold... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 8:5

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people) ,.... So plainly seen by them, and what he did, and the more easily heard, for which purpose the pulpit was made for him to stand in: and, when he opened it, all the people stood up ; that they might the better hear the law read, as well as in honour and reverence of it; the Jews say F13 T. Bab. Megillah, fol. 21. 1. , that from the times of Moses to Rabban Gamaliel, they learned the law only... read more

Group of Brands