Nehemiah 8:15 - Exposition

And that they should publish . See Le 23:4. Saying, Go forth , etc. These words are not found in any existing Scripture, and some corruption of the present text may therefore be suspected. The Septuagint interposes, between "Jerusalem" and "Go forth," the words "And Esdras said," which would remove the difficulty; but it is difficult to understand how Ezra's name should have fallen out. Perhaps Houbigant is right in his suggestion of an emendation, by which the verse would run thus:—"And when they heard it, they proclaimed in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth," etc. Into the mountain. i.e. the neighbouring mountain, the Mount of Olives. Pine branches . Rather " oleaster branches." Branches of thick trees . The same expression is used in Le 23:40, the meaning in each place being uncertain. Perhaps trees with thick, viscous leaves are intended. It is remark- able that two of the trees commanded in Leviticus are omitted, viz; the hadar and the "willow of the brook," while three not mentioned in Leviticus—the olive, oleaster, and myrtle—are added.