Translations
Modern
While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.
Traditional
And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the Lord their God.
Literal
And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of YHWH their God for a fourth of the day, and a fourth they confessed and bowed low to YHWH their God.
Latin
Et consurrexerunt ad standum: et legerunt in volumine legis Domini Dei sui, quater in die, et quater confitebantur, et adorabant Dominum Deum suum.
Original
Hebrew
English
While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.
Notes
They admitted their sins after listening to God's word (compare Nehemiah 8:1–9, 13–14, 18).
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
Glossary
Topics
Day: Sometimes Divided Into Four Parts Public Prayer: Jeshua Repentance: After Hearing the Law Expounded by Ezra Sin: Confession of Synagogue: The Scriptures Were Read and Expounded In Synagogues: Service of, Consisted of Reading the Word of God