Nehemiah 8:9

Translations

Modern

Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.

Traditional

And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

Literal

And Nehemiah (he was the Tirshatha) said—and Ezra the priest and the scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people—to all the people, “This day is holy to YHWH your God. Do not mourn and do not weep.” For all the people wept at their hearing the words of the Law.

Latin

Dixit autem Nehemias (ipse est Athersatha) et Esdras sacerdos et scriba, et Levitæ interpretantes universo populo: Dies sanctificatus est Domino Deo nostro: nolite lugere, et nolite flere. Flebat enim omnis populus cum audiret verba legis.

Original

Hebrew

English

Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.

Notes

Nehemiah 8:9–10

Ezra the priest and scribe: See study note on Ezra 7:6.
This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep: God moved the people's hearts, leading them to regret not following his laws. While weeping is a suitable reaction to sin (see Ezekiel 9:4; Luke 6:21), Ezra and Nehemiah urged the people to celebrate what God had done. This New Year's festival was meant to be joyful (Numbers 29:1–6), and weeping would have ruined the day's spirit.

Nehemiah 8:7–9

The Levites were responsible for teaching people God’s word (Deuteronomy 33:10; Malachi 2:5–6). They likely explained the Hebrew Scriptures to smaller groups in Aramaic. Most people spoke Aramaic, the language of Babylon, instead of Hebrew as their first language. Jewish leaders later translated large parts of the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic, so people could hear and study the Bible in a language they understood.

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 Nehemiah God's Word at the Center The Priestly Blessing

Related verses

Nehemiah 7:70
Some of the heads of the families contributed to the project. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments.
Deuteronomy 12:12
And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.
Nehemiah 7:65
The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.
Nehemiah 8:2
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.
Deuteronomy 16:11
…and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.
Ecclesiastes 3:4
…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
Ezra 2:63
The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.
Deuteronomy 12:7
There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.
Leviticus 23:24
“Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts.
Isaiah 61:3
…to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
Deuteronomy 16:14–15
And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.
2 Kings 22:11
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes

Parallels

Deuteronomy 31:9–13

People

Ezra: Priest; scribe; led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites Nehemiah: Governor of Judah, rebuilt Jerusalem's walls

Glossary

Attharates Book of Nehemiah Ezra (Person) First Book of Esdras Interpreter Postexilic Period Priests and Levites Tirshatha Water Gate Writer

Topics

Celebrating Holidays Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): First and Last Days Were Sabbatic Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Kept with Rejoicing Joy of the Jews, After Hearing, Anew, the Word of God Law: Princes, Priests, and Levites Publicly Taught Levites: Teachers of the Law Priest: Duties of To Act As Scribes Repentance: After Hearing the Law Expounded by Ezra Tirshatha: A Title of Persian Governors

Nehemiah 8:9

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