Nehemiah 8:2-4

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:2

All that could hear with understanding - Infants, idiots, and children not likely to receive instruction, were not permitted to attend this meeting; nor should any such, in any place, be ever brought to the house of God, if it can be avoided: yet, rather than a poor mother should be deprived of the ordinances of God, let her come with her child in her arms; and although it be inconvenient to the congregation, and to some ministers, to hear a child cry, it is cruel to exclude the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:4

Stood upon a pulpit of wood - מגדל migdal , a tower, a platform, raised up for the purpose, to elevate him sufficiently for the people both to see and hear him; for it is said, Nehemiah 8:5 , that he was above all the people. This is the first intimation we have of a pulpit, or structure of this kind. But we must not suppose that it was any thing similar to those tubs or barrels ridiculously set up in churches and chapels, in which a preacher is nearly as much confined,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1-8

The word of life. The public reading and exposition of the law of Moses in the presence of all the people as soon as possible after their settlement in their cities and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. I. THE PEOPLE WANT , and must have, THE SCRIPTURES BOTH FAMILIARISED BY REPETITION AND EXPOUNDED , that they may "have the sense, and understand the reading." 1. As individuals. The law of God the true foundation on which the life must be built up. In that law... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1-8

The word of God and the ministry of man. One of the most affecting scenes depicted in Holy Writ here invites our thought Our imagination delights to dwell upon it. The sacred and beloved city of God is now secure, its walls are rebuilt, its gates replaced and shut; its inhabitants are no longer struggling with hope and fear,—a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other,—but rejoicing in their strength and peace; internal discords are now arranged, and brethren are dwelling together in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1-12

PART II . ACCOUNT OF THE STATE OF RELIGION AMONG THE JEWS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF NEHEMIAH . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 8:1-12

Religious instruction. "And when the seventh month came," etc. To the well-being of a people the labours of the religious teacher are as necessary as those of the statesman. Nehemiah having provided for the safety of the Jews against their enemies, Ezra, the priest and scribe, steps forward to instruct them in the law of God. Of the manner in which he did this, and the reception his instructions met with, we have a specimen in this narrative. I. The TIME of the meeting. "The first... read more

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