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Nehemiah 8

Nehemiah 8:2

Ezra Reads the Law · Nehemiah 8:1–12
Read Nehemiah 8

Translations

Modern
On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Ezra the priest brought the Law before the face of the assembly, of men and also women, and all with understanding to hear, on the first day of the seventh month.
Latin
Attulit ergo Esdras sacerdos legem coram multitudine virorum et mulierum, cunctisque qui poterant intelligere, in die prima mensis septimi.

Original

Hebrew
English
On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand.

Notes

Nehemiah 8:2

On the first day of the seventh month: The people gathered to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24–25), marking the start of a new year in the calendar from after the exile in Babylon.

Nehemiah 7:73–10:39

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

Deuteronomy 31:9–13

People

Ezra: Priest; scribe; led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem

Glossary

Book of Ezra Book of Nehemiah Ezra (Person) First Book of Esdras Postexilic Period Synagogue Writer

Topics

Children: Worship, Attend Divine Commandments: General Scriptures Concerning Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): First and Last Days Were Sabbatic Law: Princes, Priests, and Levites Publicly Taught Repentance: After Hearing the Law Expounded by Ezra Scribes: Acted as Religious Teachers Synagogue: The Scriptures Were Read and Expounded In Synagogues: Revival of, After the Captivity The Law of Moses: Publicly Read by Ezra Trumpets: Feast of Celebrated After the Captivity with Joy Word of God: To be Read Publicly Worship: The Word of God Read in Public Assemblies