Nehemiah 8:4-18

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:6

6. Ezra blessed the Lord After the manner of David in 1 Chronicles 29:10-20. People answered, Amen Such responses characterized the ancient worship, and ought ever to be retained. They show that not one but all are interested. Lifting up their hands An ancient custom in worship, (compare Psalms 27:2; Psalms 63:4; Lamentations 3:41; 1 Timothy 2:8,) as was also the bowing of the head. Comp. marginal references. This latter sign of reverence and respect is the least that can be expected... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:7

7. And the Levites Or, even the Levites. We understand that the persons named in this verse were all Levites, in distinction from the priests named in Nehemiah 8:4. Caused the people to understand the law This was a part of the regular work of the priests and Levites. See marginal references. On this occasion it was probably necessary for them to translate and explain the law in the vulgar tongue for the benefit of a large part of the people. See note on next verse. The people… in... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:8

8. In the book in the law An emphatic intimation that the book from which they read was no other than the law of God. From the form of words here used we may infer that there were then extant other sacred books besides the book of the law. Distinctly מפרשׁ , the word thus rendered is the Pual participle of פרשׁ , to spread out, and by most interpreters is understood to designate the clear and distinct manner the audible voice in which the law was read. Bertheau explains it as a... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:9

THE FEAST OF THE NEW MOON, Nehemiah 8:9-12. The reading of the law made a profound impression on the minds of the people, and they were moved to weeping. It brought also to their attention the duty of observing the feasts of the seventh month, and having spent the first half of the day in hearing the law. (Nehemiah 8:3,) they were dismissed with words of comfort to observe the feast of the new moon, the feast of trumpets. 9. The Tirshatha See on Ezra 2:63. We note that Nehemiah, Ezra, and... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:10

10. He said That is, Nehemiah, the governor. He issued the order, being the public executive. Eat the fat Literally, fatnesses; that is, the fat pieces of flesh; the fat things. Drink the sweet Hebrew, sweetnesses; the sweet drinks, especially the new wine of that season. Send portions That the poor and destitute, for whom nothing is prepared, but what is freely given by those who have abundance, may rejoice and feast with the rest of the people. Comp. Esther 9:19; Esther 9:22;... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:11

11. Stilled all the people Hushed their loud lamentation. The call to observe the feast of trumpets, and the comforting words that accompanied it, cheered and strengthened the hearts of the people, and they went forth to enjoy the rest of the day with becoming festivity. read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:13

THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, Nehemiah 8:13-18. 13. The second day The second day of the month, the next day after the feast of the new moon. So interested had the people become in the reading of the law, that on the very next day after the feast the chief of the fathers, the principal elders and representatives of the nation, met again to continue the study of the law. There were manifest inconveniences in assembling the entire population, men, women, and children, as on the previous day,... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:14

14. They found written That is, in the course of their reading and study they came to the passage treating of the feast of tabernacles. The passage was not found as a new discovery a law and custom of whose existence they were not aware for the feast had been celebrated in the time of Zerubbabel, (Ezra 3:4,) and, doubtless, often afterwards. The law on the feast of tabernacles is found at Leviticus 23:34-43, and Deuteronomy 16:13-15. read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:15

15. Unto the mount Where the branches of trees would be naturally sought. Olive… pine… myrtle… palm… thick trees Leviticus xxiii, 40, mentions only palms, thick trees, and willows. No special stress seems to have been laid on the kind of trees, but any and all kinds of trees, whose boughs would serve for making booths, might be sought. The word for pine is literally tree of fatness, and is usually understood of the wild olive, or oleaster, but this is far from certain. The Hebrew... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 8:16

16. Upon the roof of his house Nearly every available place would be used, and those who occupied houses in Jerusalem would find it most convenient to build their booths either on the flat roofs of their houses, or in their courts, the inclosed yards in the rear of their houses. The courts of the house of God Here the priests and Levites would naturally build their booths, while those persons who were not residents of Jerusalem would make theirs in the street of the water gate, and in... read more

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