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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 8:16

So the people went forth, and brought them ,.... Went out of Jerusalem to the mountains adjacent, and fetched in branches of the said trees, one or another: and made themselves booths, everyone upon the roof of his house ; which were flat, Deuteronomy 22:8 , and they might be made anywhere, so be it they were open to the air: and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God; the common people in the courtyards belonging to their houses, and the priests and Levites in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:16

Upon the roof of his house - It need scarcely be repeated, that the houses in the East are generally built with flat roofs. On these they reposed; on these they took the air in the heats of summer; and on these they oftentimes slept. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1-18

The word of God in a threefold relationship. I. THE WORD OF GOD AND POPULAR DESIRE . "And they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel." 1. The desire of the people for the word of God. 2. The attitude of the people toward the word of God. II. THE WORD OF GOD AND SPIRITUAL EMOTION . "This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:13-18

An influential congregation. Account of a smaller gathering than that recorded in the first part of the chapter, but likely from its character to be equally or more fruitful of good. I. THE MEETING CONVENED ( Nehemiah 8:13 ). 1. The congregation. Select; consisting of the principal heads of houses, priests, and Levites. 2. Their design. To study the law with a view to the better understanding of it. 3. Their teacher. The ablest doctor of the day. II. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:13-18

Keeping the feast. "On the second day," the day after the great and affecting assembly of all the citizens, came together a representative company, "the chief of the fathers of all the people" ( Nehemiah 8:13 ), beside the priests and Levites, to "understand" or consider the law, that they might encourage all the children of Israel to a regular and faithful observance of it. This gathering led at once to— I. AN ACT OF REVIVED AND REJOICING OBEDIENCE . For "they found... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:13-18

Restoration of the feast of tabernacles in its plenitude. I. A NOTABLE INSTANCE OF NEGLECT . The commandment was plainly written, but "since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun the children of Israel had not done so. " How much they lost?—gladness, fellowship, help to their remembrance of Divine mercy, food of faith. We should follow the directions of God's book without question. Much yet to break forth from the written pages. II. An illustration of the DEPENDENCE OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:16

The flat roofs of Oriental houses, and the court round which they were commonly built, furnished convenient sites for the booths, and would be preferred by the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The incomers from the country districts ( Nehemiah 8:15 ) would have to occupy the open places or "squares" of the city, and the temple courts, which would accommodate large numbers. On the street of the water gate see the comment on Nehemiah 8:1 . The street of the gate of Ephraim was probably a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 8:16

Nehemiah 8:16. Every one upon the roof of his house Which, according to the law, was made flat, Deuteronomy 22:8. And in their courts Those belonging to their houses: for the booths might be made anywhere in the open air. And in the street of the gate of Ephraim The gate of the city which led to the tribe of Ephraim. 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

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