Nehemiah 8:12 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“And 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.”

Nehemiah 8:12

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

Then 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.

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

And 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.

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. {to understand...: or, that they might instruct in the words of the law}

And 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: {by: Heb. by the hand of}

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From This Chapter

Nehemiah 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."

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."

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