Nehemiah 8:1 — Meaning and Application

Nehemiah 8:2

"And 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. {that...: Heb. that understood in hearing}"

Nehemiah 8:3

"And 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. {from...: Heb. from the light}"

Nehemiah 8:4

"And 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. {pulpit...: Heb. tower of wood}"

Nehemiah 8:5

"And 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: {sight: Heb. eyes}"

Nehemiah 8:6

"And 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."