Neh 8:1-13 - Commentary

Commentary

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Text -- Nehemiah 8:1-13 (NET)

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Context

8:1 all the people gathered together in the plaza which was in front of the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had commanded Israel. 8:2 So Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly which included men and women and all those able to understand what they heard. (This happened on the first day of the seventh month.) 8:3 So he read it before the plaza in front of the Water Gate from dawn till noon before the men and women and those children who could understand. All the people were eager to hear the book of the law. 8:4 Ezra the scribe stood on a towering wooden platform constructed for this purpose. Standing near him on his right were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Masseiah. On his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 8:5 Ezra opened the book in plain view of all the people, for he was elevated above all the people. When he opened the book, all the people stood up. 8:6 Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people replied “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 8:7 Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah– all of whom were Levites– were teaching the people the law, as the people remained standing. 8:8 They read from the book of God’s law, explaining it and imparting insight. Thus the people gained understanding from what was read. 8:9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priestly scribe, and the Levites who were imparting understanding to the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the law. 8:10 He said to them, “Go and eat delicacies and drink sweet drinks and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared. For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 8:11 Then the Levites quieted all the people saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy. Do not grieve.” 8:12 So all the people departed to eat and drink and to share their food with others and to enjoy tremendous joy, for they had gained insight in the matters that had been made known to them. 8:13 On the second day of the month the family leaders met with Ezra the scribe, together with all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to consider the words of the law.

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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:

· Akkub son of Eli-O-Enai (Hananiah Zerubbabel David Judah); Akkub I,a Levite who was chief gate keeper under Nehemiah; Akkub II,a chief Temple Servant under Nehemiah; Akkub III,a Levite scribe who helped Ezra explain the law; Akkub IV

· Anaiah an official who supported Ezra and pledged to keep the law

· Azariah son of Ahimaaz; grandson and successor of Zadok I,son of Nathan; a priest who was chief of Solomons officers,son and successor of king Amaziah of Judah,son of Ethan son of Zerah of Judah,son of Jehu son of Obed of Judah,son of Johanan; descendant of Meraioth I,son of Hilkiah before the exile; high priest Azariah III,a descendant of Hilkiah the priest,son of Zephaniah/Uriel (Korah Levi); forefather of Samuel,son of Oded; prophet under King Asa,second son of Jehoshaphat; brother of King Jehoram,fifth son of Jehoshaphat; brother of King Jehoram,son of Jeroham; a commander who helped enthrone Joash,son of Obed; a commander who helped enthrone Joash,the priest who confronted Uzziah for offering incense,a chief of Ephraim under Israel's King Pekah,father of Joel (Kohath Levi), who served under Hezekiah,son of Jehallelel (Merari Levi). He served under Hezekiah,chief priest, of Zadok's line, under Hezekiah,son of Maaseiah son of Ananiah; a repairer of Nehemiah's wall,a man who accompanied Zerubbabel back to the land of Judah,a scribe who helped Ezra explain the reading of the Law,a priest who signed the covenant to keep God's law,a prince of Judah who led praises to God on the new city wall,son of Hoshaiah; one of the leaders rebelling against Jeremiah,a man exiled from Judah and trained with Daniel in Babylon

· Bani a man of Gad; one of David's military elite,son of Shemer (Merari Aaron Levi),a man descended from Perez of Judah,a non-Levite ancestor of men who put away their heathen wives,a non-Levite ancestor of others who put away heathen wives,a Levite who helped Ezra explain the reading of the law,son of Henadad (Levi); a signer of the pledge to keep the law,an Israelite chief who signed the covenant to obey God's law,son of Hashabiah and father of head Levite Uzzi under Nehemiah

· Ezra a man of Judah; probably the son of Hodiah

· Hanan son of Shashak of Benjamin,son of Azel of Benjamin,son of Maacah; one of David's military elite,a Levite; head of a group of temple servants in Ezra's time,a Levite who helped Ezra explain the reading of the law,son of Henadad, a Levite who signed the pledge to obey the law,an Israelite chief who signed the covenant to keep God's law,a man of God who had a room in the temple; son of Igdaliah

· Hashbaddanah an official who stood with Ezra when he publicly read the law

· Hashum a man whose descendants returned from exile in Babylon,an official who stood with Ezra when he publicly read the law,an Israelite chief who signed the covenant to obey God's law

· Hilkiah father of Eliakim who was head of King Hezekiah's household,a high priest; son of Shalum /Meshulam,son of Amzi of Levi; forefather of returned exiles,son of Hosah; a Levite gatekeeper,priest leader of some who returned from exile with Zerubbabel,a man of Anathoth; father of the prophet Jeremiah

· Hodiah a man of Judah,son of Henadad; a Levite,an Israelite chief who signed the covenant to obey God's law

· Israel a citizen of Israel.,a member of the nation of Israel

· Jamin son of Simeon,son of Ram of Judah,a Levite who helped Ezra explain the reading of the law

· Jeshua chief of a division of priests serving in David's sanctuary,a man a Levite assistant to Kore in managing the free will offerings of the temple under King Hezekiah,a chief priest and leader among those who returned from exile with Zerubbabel; son of Jozadak; father of Joiakim,father of Jozabad, a Levite on duty in the time of Ezra,a man whose descendants returned from exile in Babylon,the father of Ezer who helped to repair the wall,a Levite who helped Ezra explain the reading of the law; son of Kadmiel,son of Nun; successor of Moses,son of Azaniah; a Levite leader who signed the covenant to obey God's law,a town of Judah

· Jozabad a man of Gederah; one of the Benjamites who defected to David at Ziklag,two commanders from Manasseh who defected to David in Ziklag,an officer in charge of the temple store house under King Hezekiah,a chief officer of the house of God in Josiah's time,son of Jeshua; a Levite on duty in the time of Ezra,a man who put away his heathen wife; a priest descended from Pashhur,a man who put away his heathen wife; a Levite,a Levite who helped Ezra explain the reading of the law,a chief Levite who helped supervise the outside work on the house of God in Nehemiah's time

· Kelita a Levite who put away his heathen wife,a Levite who helped Ezra explain the reading of the law,son of Henadad; a signer of the covenant to obey God's law

· Levites relating to Levi and the priesthood given to him,a tribal name describing people and ceremonies as sacred

· Ma-Aseiah a Levite worship leader in David's time,son of Adaiah; a commander who helped enthrone King Joash,a man who was a recruiting officer for King Uzziah's army,son of King Ahaz,a man who was governor of Jerusalem under King Josiah,a priest descended from Jeshua who put away his heathen wife,a priest descended from Harim who put away his heathen wife,a priest descended from Pashhur who put away his heathen wife,a layman of Pahath-Moab clan who put away his heathen wife,son of Ananiah; father of Azariah who helped repair the wall,a man who stood with Ezra when he read the law to the assembly,a Levite who helped Ezra explain the reading of the law,an chief who signed the covenant to keep the law of Moses,son of Baruch of Judah; a returned exile in Jerusalem,son of Ithiel of Benjamin,a priest who helped celebrate the completion of the wall,father of Zephaniah the priest in the time of Jeremiah,a false prophet in the time of King Zedekiah of Judah,son of Shallum, a gate keeper under King Jehoiakim

· Malchijah an English name representing two different Hebrew names,as representing the Hebrew name 'Malkiyah',son of Ethni, of Gershom of Levi; ancestor of Asaph,a priest whose descendants returned from exile; father of Pashhur,chief of a division of priests serving in David's sanctuary,a layman of the Parosh Clan who put away his heathen wife,a layman of the Harim Clan who put away his heathen wife,son of Harim; a repairer of the walls of Jerusalem,son of Rechab; one who repaired the Dung Gate,a man who was a goldsmith and helped repair the wall,a man who stood with Ezra when he read the law to the assembly,a priest who helped celebrate the completion of the wall,as representing the Hebrew name 'Malkiram',son of King Jehoiachin

· Mattithiah son of Shallum (Korah Levi) when exiles were returning,a Levite worship leader in David's time,son of Jeduthun the Levite worship leader under King David,a layman of the Nebo Clan who put away his heathen wife,a man who stood with Ezra when he read the law to the assembly

· Meshullam grandfather of Shaphan, King Josiah's secretary,son of Zerubbabel,son of Abihail; a founding father of one of the clans of Gad,son of Elpaal of Benjamin,son of Hodaviah of Benjamin,son of Shephatiah of Benjamin,a high priest; son of Zadok II,son of Meshillemith; a priest,a Kohath Levite overseer of temple restoration for King Josiah,one of the leaders Ezra sent to Iddo to ask for recruits,a man who opposed the Jews putting away their heathen wives,a layman of the Bani Clan who put away his heathen wife,son of Berechiah son of Meshezabel; a repairer of the wall,son of Besodeiah; a man who helped repair a gate in the wall,a man who stood with Ezra when he publicly read the law to the assembly,a priest who signed the covenant to keep God's law,an Israelite chief who signed the covenant to obey God's law,son of Joed of Benjamin; father of Sallu, a returned exile,a priest and head of the house of Ezra under High Priest Joiakim in the time of Nehemiah,a priest, head of the house of Ginnethon in Nehemiah's time,a man who was a gate keeper in the time of Nehemiah

· Mishael son of Uzziel son of Kohath son of Levi,a man who stood with Ezra when he read the law to the assembly,a man of Judah who served Nebuchadnezzar with Daniel in Babylon

· Moses a son of Amram; the Levite who led Israel out of Egypt and gave them The Law of Moses,a Levite who led Israel out of Egypt and gave them the law

· Nehemiah leader among those who returned from exile with Zerubbabel,son of Hacaliah; governor of the returned exiles,son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth-Zur

· Pedaiah a man of Rumah; father of Zebidah, the mother of King Jehoiakim,son of King Jehoiachin,a man of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Saul and David's time,a man who helped rebuild the wall of Jerusalem; son of Parosh,a man who stood with Ezra when he read the law to the assembly,son of Kolaiah of Benjamin; a returned exile

· Pelaiah son of Eli-O-Enai (Hananiah Zerubbabel David Judah),a Levite who helped Ezra explain the reading of the law,son of Henadad; a signer of the covenant to obey God's law

· Shabbethai a Levite who objected to Israel's putting away heathen wives,a Levite who helped Ezra explain the reading of the law,a Levite supervisor for rebuilding the temple under Nehemiah

· Shema a town of south-eastern Judah,son of Hebron of Judah,son of Joel; a leader in the tribe of Reuben,son of Elpaal of Benjamin,a man who stood with Ezra when he read the law to the assembly

· Sherebiah a Levite leader, recruiter, and teacher under Ezra,son of Henadad, a Levite; a signer of Nehemiah's covenant

· Uriah the husband of Bathsheba with whom David committed adultery,a Hittite man who was one of David's military elite,the high priest who served under King Ahaz of Judah,father of Meremoth the priest who received the temple vessels,a man who stood with Ezra when he read the law to the assembly,son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-Jearim

· Water Gate a gate into Jerusalem

· Zechariah the father of John the baptist,a son of Berekiah, a righteous man who was killed by the Jewish authorities,son and successor of King Jeroboam,father of Abi, the mother of King Hezekiah,a leader of the tribe of Reuben,son of Meshelemiah; a door keeper for the tent of meeting,son of Jeiel and Maacah of Gibeon,a Levite gate keeper and harpist in David's time,a priest and trumpeter in David's time,son of Isshiah (Uzziel Kohath Levi),son of Hosah; a pre-exile Levite gatekeeper,a man of Manasseh in Gilead in Saul and David's time,a prince whom Jehoshaphat sent to teach the law around Judah,son of Benaiah (Asaph Levi),son of King Jehoshaphat,son of Jehoiada the priest; a prophet,a man who influenced King Uzziah for good,a Levite (Asaph) who helped Hezekiah cleanse the temple,a Levite (Kohath) who helped King Josiah restore the temple,a chief officer of the house of God in Josiah's time,son of Berechiah; a priest; writer of the book of Zechariah,leader among the Parosh clansmen who returned from exile,son of Bebai; leader among Bebai clansmen returned from exile,a lay man of the Elam Clan who put away his heathen wife,a man who stood with Ezra when he read the law to the assembly,son of Amariah of Judah,a descendant of Shelah,son of Pashhur; a priest whose descendants returned from exile,son of Jonathan (Asaph Levi),son of Jeberechiah; a witness to Isaiah's prophesy

Table of Contents

Verse Notes / Footnotes NET Notes

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Neh 8:1 Heb “said [to].”

NET Notes: Neh 8:3 Heb “the ears of all the people were toward.”

NET Notes: Neh 8:4 Heb “a tower of wood.”

NET Notes: Neh 8:5 Heb “it”; the referent (the book) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

NET Notes: Neh 8:7 The MT reads “and the Levites.” The conjunction (“and”) should be deleted, following the LXX, Aquila, and the Vulgate. That th...

NET Notes: Neh 8:8 Heb “they”; the referent (the people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹tn The exact meaning of the pual participle מְפֹרָשׁ (mÿforash) in this verse is uncertain. The basic sense of the Hebrew word seems to be “to make distinct.” The word may also have the sense of “to divide in parts,” “to interpret,” or “to translate.” The context of Neh 8:8 does not decisively clarify how the participle is to be understood here. It probably refers to the role of the Levites as those who explained or interpreted the portions of biblical text that had been publicly read on this occasion. A different option, however, is suggested by the translation distincte (“distinctly”) of the Vulgate (cf. KJV, ASV). If the Hebrew word means “distinctly” here, it would imply that the readers paid particular attention to such things as word-grouping and pronunciation so as to be sure that the listeners had every opportunity to understand the message that was being read. Yet another view is found in the Talmud, which understands translation of the Hebrew text into Aramaic to be what is in view here. The following explanation of Neh 8:8 is found in b. Megillah 3a: “‘And they read in the book, in the law of God’: this indicates the [Hebrew] text; ‘with an interpretation’: this indicates the targum; ‘and they gave the sense’: this indicates the verse stops; ‘and caused them to understand the reading’: this indicates the accentuation, or, according to another version, the Masoretic notes.” However, this ancient rabbinic view that the origins of the Targum are found in Neh 8:8 is debatable. It is not clear that the practice of paraphrasing the Hebrew biblical text into Aramaic in order to accommodate the needs of those Jews who were not at home in the Hebrew language developed this early. The translation of מְפֹרָשׁ adopted above (i.e., “explaining it”) understands the word to have in mind an explanatory function (cf. NAB, NCV, TEV, NLT) rather than one of translation.

²tn Heb “they”; the referent (the people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

NET Notes: Neh 8:9 Heb “the people.” The pronoun has been used in the translation for stylistic reasons, to avoid redundancy.

NET Notes: Neh 8:10 The Hebrew term translated “Lord” here is אֲדֹנָי (’adonay).

NET Notes: Neh 8:12 Heb “to make great joy.”

NET Notes: Neh 8:13 Heb “were gathered to”; NAB, NIV “gathered around”; NRSV “came together to.”

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