Nehemiah 8

King James Version

Full text for Nehemiah Chapter 8

1¶ And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that [was] before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

2And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

3And he read therein before the street that [was] before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people [were attentive] unto the book of the law.

4And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, [and] Meshullam.

5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

6And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with [their] faces to the ground.

7Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people [stood] in their place.

8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused [them] to understand the reading.

9¶ And Nehemiah, which [is] the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day [is] holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

10Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for [this] day [is] holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

11So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day [is] holy; neither be ye grieved.

12And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

13¶ And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.

14And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:

15And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as [it is] written.

16So the people went forth, and brought [them], and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

17And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.

18Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day [was] a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The people of Israel gathered before Ezra the scribe, requesting him to read the Law of Moses. Ezra read the Law, and the Levites helped the people understand its meaning, causing them to weep in repentance. Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites then instructed them to cease mourning, to celebrate with joy, and to share provisions, for the day was holy. Subsequently, they discovered the command to observe the Feast of Tabernacles, which they then joyfully celebrated by dwelling in booths, an observance not practiced in this manner since ancient times.

Medium Summary

In Nehemiah 8, the entire congregation assembled before Ezra the scribe, requesting a public reading of the Law of Moses. Ezra read from a wooden pulpit for several hours, with Levites assisting in explaining the text, ensuring all understood. Upon hearing the Law, the people wept, but Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites encouraged them to rejoice, declaring the day holy and emphasizing that "the joy of the LORD is your strength." The people then celebrated by eating, drinking, and sharing provisions, filled with great mirth from understanding the divine words. On the second day, leaders gathered again with Ezra and discovered the forgotten command to observe the Feast of Tabernacles by dwelling in booths. Consequently, the people diligently constructed booths and celebrated the feast with immense gladness, an observance not fully practiced in this manner since the time of Joshua.

Long Summary

Nehemiah 8 opens with all the people gathering as one before the Water Gate, earnestly requesting Ezra the scribe to bring forth the book of the Law of Moses. Ezra, a priest, then read the Law from a wooden pulpit for many hours, from morning until midday, to a congregation of men, women, and all who could understand. Levites stood alongside Ezra and diligently helped the people comprehend the reading, distinctly giving the sense of the Law. As the words of the Law were declared, the people were deeply moved and wept, recognizing their transgressions. However, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites intervened, instructing them not to mourn, for the day was holy unto the Lord. They exhorted the people to eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to the needy, declaring that "the joy of the LORD is your strength." The people responded by ceasing their sorrow and engaging in great mirth, celebrating their newfound understanding. On the second day, the chief of the fathers, priests, and Levites reconvened with Ezra to further understand the Law. During this study, they discovered the specific command for the children of Israel to dwell in booths during the Feast of the seventh month. A proclamation was then issued throughout Jerusalem and its cities, instructing the people to gather various branches to construct these temporary dwellings. The people promptly obeyed, building booths on their rooftops, in their courts, and in public spaces. This chapter highlights a significant revival of the Feast of Tabernacles, noting that such a comprehensive observance had not occurred since the days of Joshua, son of Nun. Ezra continued to read from the Law daily throughout the seven-day feast, which concluded with a solemn assembly on the eighth day, marked by very great gladness among the congregation.

Core Concepts

  • Public Reading of the LawEzra the scribe publicly read the Law of Moses to the entire congregation for many hours, ensuring that both men and women who could understand were attentive to the divine words. This event underscored the centrality of God's word in the community's life.
  • Understanding and RepentanceUpon hearing the Law read and explained, the people wept, demonstrating their deep conviction and repentance for their past disobedience. This emotional response indicated a profound spiritual awakening.
  • Joy of the Lord as StrengthNehemiah and Ezra instructed the weeping people to cease mourning, declaring the day holy and proclaiming that "the joy of the LORD is your strength." This teaching shifted their focus from sorrow over sin to the divine empowerment found in celebrating God's goodness.
  • Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)The leaders discovered the forgotten command to observe the Feast of Tabernacles, requiring the people to dwell in temporary booths. This rediscovery led to a widespread and joyful observance, marking a significant return to ancient Mosaic practices.
  • Levitical InstructionThe Levites played a vital role in assisting Ezra by distinctly reading the Law and giving its sense, enabling the common people to understand the divine commands. Their teaching ensured the accessibility and comprehension of God's word.
  • Corporate Worship and ResponseThe people demonstrated unified and heartfelt worship by standing when Ezra opened the book, responding "Amen" with lifted hands, and bowing their heads to the ground. This collective act of reverence highlighted their devotion to God.