Keraia
Nehemiah 8

Nehemiah 8:3

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

Translations

Modern
So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And he read from it before the face of the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from the morning until the middle of the day before the men and the women and those with understanding. And the ears of all the people were toward the Book of the Law.
Latin
Et legit in eo aperte in platea quæ erat ante portam aquarum, de mane usque ad mediam diem, in conspectu virorum et mulierum, et sapientium: et aures omnis populi erant erectæ ad librum.

Original

Hebrew
English
So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Notes

Nehemiah 8:3

  • The time from early morning until noon allowed about six hours for reading and interpreting (Nehemiah 8:7–8).

  • understand (see also Nehemiah 8:2, 8, 12): This was more than a ritual reading of the law. It included explanations, insights, and applications.

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

Places

Water Gate: A gate in Jerusalem's wall, rebuilt by Nehemiah

Glossary

Book of Nehemiah First Book of Esdras Postexilic Period Synagogue Water Gate Writer

Topics

Children: Jewish Children Children: Worship, Attend Divine Commandments: General Scriptures Concerning Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): First and Last Days Were Sabbatic Gates of Jerusalem: Water Gate Law: Princes, Priests, and Levites Publicly Taught Morning: Continued Until Noon 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 The Scriptures are Called The: Book of the Law The Scriptures: should be Read Publicly to All Word of God: Called: Book of the Law Word of God: To be Read Publicly Worship: The Word of God Read in Public Assemblies