Nehemiah 8:17

The Feast of Tabernacles · Nehemiah 8:13–18
Read Nehemiah 8

Translations

Modern
The whole assembly that had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated like this. And there was great rejoicing.
Traditional
And 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.
Literal
And all the assembly who had returned from the captivity made booths, and they sat in the booths, for the sons of Israel had not done so from the days of Jeshua son of Nun until that day. And there was very great gladness.
Latin
Fecit ergo universa ecclesia eorum qui redierant de captivitate, tabernacula, et habitaverunt in tabernaculis: non enim fecerant a diebus Josue filii Nun taliter filii Israël usque ad diem illum. Et fuit lætitia magna nimis.

Original

Hebrew
English
The whole assembly that had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated like this. And there was great rejoicing.

Notes

From the days of Joshua: Israel had celebrated this festival many times (1 Kings 8:2; 2 Kings 23:22; 2 Chronicles 7:8–10; 30:26; 35:18; Ezra 3:4), but this was a special celebration.

This section, possibly from Ezra’s personal memoirs, explains how Ezra’s teaching of God’s law renewed the people's commitment to serve God and follow his instructions. Spiritual revival occurred alongside the civic work of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Theme notes and profiles

Ezra God's Word at the Center

Parallels

Leviticus 23:33–44 Zechariah 14:16–21

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan Nun: Father of Joshua

Glossary

Book of Nehemiah Feasts and Festivals of Israel Jeshua (Person) Joshua (Person)

Topics

Feast of Tabernacles: Observance of, After the Captivity Feast of Tabernacles: Observance of, Omitted Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): First and Last Days Were Sabbatic Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Kept with Rejoicing Jeshua: Joshua Called Joy of the Jews, After Hearing, Anew, the Word of God Law: Princes, Priests, and Levites Publicly Taught The Feast of Tabernacles: Remarkable Celebrations of After the Captivity The Law of Moses: A Means of National Reformation Worship: The Word of God Read in Public Assemblies