Keraia
Nehemiah 8

Nehemiah 8:4

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

Translations

Modern
Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for this occasion. At his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and at his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Ezra the scribe stood on a tower of wood that they had made for the purpose. And Mattithiah stood beside him, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah at his right hand, and at his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
Latin
Stetit autem Esdras scriba super gradum ligneum, quem fecerat ad loquendum: et steterunt juxta eum Mathathias, et Semeia, et Ania, et Uria, et Helcia, et Maasia, ad dexteram ejus: et ad sinistram, Phadaia, Misaël, et Melchia, et Hasum, et Hasbadana, Zacharia, et Mosollam.

Original

Hebrew
English
Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for this occasion. At his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and at his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

Notes

Nehemiah 8:4

These thirteen people were likely community leaders. Some may have helped Ezra roll the scroll while he read.

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

Anaiah: Stood beside Ezra during the reading of the Law Ezra: Priest; scribe; led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem Hashbaddanah: A man who stood with Ezra during the reading of the Law Hashum: A man who stood with Ezra during the reading of the Law Hilkiah: A priest who assisted Ezra Maaseiah: Levite who assisted Ezra in reading the Law Malchijah: Priest who stood beside Ezra during the reading of the Law Mattithiah: Levite who assisted Ezra in reading the Law Meshullam: A priest who stood beside Ezra during the reading of the Law Mishael: A Levite who stood beside Ezra during the reading of the Law Pedaiah: Levite who assisted Ezra in reading the Law Shema: Stood beside Ezra during the reading of the Law Uriah: Priest who assisted Ezra in reading the Law Zechariah: Levite who assisted Ezra in reading the Law

Glossary

Anaiah Book of Nehemiah First Book of Esdras Genealogy Hashbaddanah Hashum Hilkiah Maaseiah Malchiah Malchijah Mattithiah Meshullam Mishael Pedaiah Postexilic Period Shema (Person) Synagogue Uriah Water Gate Writer Zechariah (Person)

Topics

Anaiah: A Priest, Probably, Who Stood by Ezra While Reading the Law Ananiah: Son of Manseiah Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Preaching Commandments: General Scriptures Concerning Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): First and Last Days Were Sabbatic Hashbadana: A Companion of Ezra Hashum: A Priest Hilkiah: Two Priests Law: Princes, Priests, and Levites Publicly Taught Maaseiah: The Name of a Number of Priests of the Exile Malchiah: A Jew Who Stood by Ezra when he Read the Book of the Law to the People Mattithiah: A Prince Who Stood Beside Ezra when he Read the Law Aloud to the People Meshullam: A Prince Who Stood by Ezra when he Read the Law to the People Mishael: A Jew Who Stood by Ezra when he Read the Law to the People Pedaiah: A Levite Appointed As Treasurer by Nehemiah Pulpit: General Scriptures Concerning Repentance: After Hearing the Law Expounded by Ezra Scribes: Acted as Religious Teachers Shema: A Man Who Stood at the Right Hand of Ezra when he Read the Law to the People Synagogue: The Scriptures Were Read and Expounded In Synagogues: Revival of, After the Captivity Urijah: A Priest: Assistant to Ezra Word of God: To be Read Publicly Worship: The Word of God Read in Public Assemblies Zechariah (Zecharias): Name of Various Jews After the Captivity