Charles Ellicott Commentary Nehemiah 8
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Nehemiah 8
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Nehemiah 8
"And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Jehovah had commanded to Israel." — Nehemiah 8:1 (ASV)
As one man. —The unanimity rather than the number is emphatic here.
And they spake unto Ezra. —Who appears in this book for the first time, having probably been at the court for twelve years.
"And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month." — Nehemiah 8:2 (ASV)
Both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding. —Men, women, and children who had reached years of discretion.
Upon the first day of the seventh month. —As the seventh was the most important month, in a religious sense, so the first day, the Feast of Trumpets, was the most important new moon (Leviticus 23:24).
"And he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were [attentive] unto the book of the law." — Nehemiah 8:3 (ASV)
From the morning. — From daylight. The Book of the Law must have been a comprehensive one. Out of it Ezra and his companions read hour after hour, selecting appropriate passages.
And the ears of all the people ... unto the book. — A general statement; the detail now follows.
"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 Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, [and] Meshullam." — Nehemiah 8:4 (ASV)
Pulpit of wood.—Literally, a tower of wood. Fourteen persons, however, were on what is afterwards called a platform, or stair, by his side.
"and Ezra blessed Jehovah, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped Jehovah with their faces to the ground." — Nehemiah 8:6 (ASV)
And Ezra blessed the Lord. — The book was formally and solemnly opened before the people. At this request the multitude arose, and, after a doxology offered by Ezra, they all uttered a double Amen, with lifting up of their hands, as a sign of their most fervent assent; and then with faces bowed to the ground, as a sign of adoration.
The great God is Nehemiah’s expression, not Ezra’s; the sentence used is not reported.
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