Nehemiah 8:13-9:5

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 8:13

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

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

And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers. At times it is true that "increase of appetite doth grow by what it feeds on." Once let the sweetness of the Divine word be tasted and appreciated, and there springs up in the heart instantly a desire for more—a wish to continue in the study—a feeling like that of the Psalmist when he said, "Lord, what love have I unto thy law: all the day long is my study in it" ( Psalms 119:97 ). The Jews, taught by Ezra in the... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 8:13

To understand - Rather, “to consider.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 8:13

Nehemiah 8:13. On the second day were gathered to him the chief of the fathers, the priests, &c. Thus manifesting both humility and serious godliness, in that they chose rather to confess their ignorance, in order that they might be instructed, than vainly to pretend to more knowledge than they had, and were more careful to learn and practise their duty than to preserve their reputation with the people. To understand the words of the law That they might obtain a more perfect knowledge... 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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