Nehemiah 8 12

Nehemiah 8:12 kjv

And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

Nehemiah 8:12 nkjv

And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.

Nehemiah 8:12 niv

Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

Nehemiah 8:12 esv

And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

Nehemiah 8:12 nlt

So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God's words and understood them.

Nehemiah 8 verses

Nehemiah 8 12 Meaning

Nehemiah 8:12 describes the people's joyous response to understanding God's Word. After hearing and having the Law explained to them by Ezra and the Levites, they departed to engage in feasting, sharing their provisions with others, and experiencing immense joy. This celebration stemmed directly from their comprehension of the divine truths that had been publicly revealed.

Nehemiah 8 12 Context

Nehemiah 8 marks a pivotal moment of spiritual revival for the returned exiles in Jerusalem. After the completion of the city wall under Nehemiah's leadership, the people assembled on the first day of the seventh month. Ezra, the scribe and priest, stood before them and read from the Book of the Law of Moses for several hours, from morning until noon. As Ezra read, the Levites helped the people understand the meaning of the words, clarifying the ancient Hebrew text. Initially, upon comprehending the Law, the people wept bitterly, likely because they recognized their sin and the vast distance between their lives and God's holy standard. However, Ezra and the Levites encouraged them not to weep but to rejoice, proclaiming that "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh 8:10). This verse, Nehemiah 8:12, details the people's immediate and obedient response to this command, transforming their sorrow into an outward expression of commanded joy and generosity rooted in spiritual understanding. This public reading and communal response led directly to the national celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, fulfilling further commands of the Law.

Nehemiah 8 12 Word analysis

• And all the people went their way: Signifies a unanimous and purposeful movement. The collective decision and action highlight the unity of the community in their response. They dispersed from the assembly not in disarray, but with a shared intention.
• to eat, and to drink: These actions were fundamental elements of communal celebration in ancient Israel, often associated with covenant feasts and joyous occasions before the Lord. This was not mere physical sustenance, but part of a commanded spiritual observance and celebration, emphasizing fellowship and abundance.
• and to send portions: Manot (מָנ֣וֹת). This practice of sharing food was an act of generosity and remembrance, particularly commanded during festivals. It demonstrates a practical application of the Law's emphasis on caring for the needy, ensuring that everyone, especially those without means, could partake in the joy. This act extended beyond their immediate family to others in the community, reflecting a corporate responsibility.
• and to make great mirth: Simchah Gedolah (שִׂמְחָ֤ה גְדוֹלָה֙). "Mirth" here is not just lightheartedness but deep-seated, abounding joy, a celebration marked by intense happiness and rejoicing. The Hebrew "great mirth" signifies an overflowing, abundant joy, commanded by God as a fitting response to His revealed Word and goodness. It points to a spiritual exhilaration, an authentic delight in God.
• because they had understood: Hevinū (הֵבִ֔ינוּ). This verb implies not just hearing but deep comprehension, discerning meaning, and grasping the spiritual significance. It indicates a transition from merely listening to internalizing the message. Their joy was not a shallow emotional outburst but flowed from a true intellectual and spiritual grasp of God's revealed will.
• the words: Ha-devarim (הַדְּבָרִ֛ים). Refers specifically to the "words of the Law" or "words of the Torah" (God's instruction/covenant), which Ezra had been reading. This emphasizes that their joy was founded on divine revelation, not human tradition or fleeting circumstances.
• that were declared unto them: This phrase signifies that the words were not just read, but also actively interpreted and explained by the Levites (Neh 8:7-8), ensuring that the people fully grasped their meaning and implications. The clarity of instruction facilitated their understanding and subsequent joy.

Words-group Analysis:

• "to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth": This sequence reveals a holistic response: personal enjoyment (eating/drinking) followed by communal sharing (sending portions), culminating in widespread, overflowing joy. It shows a physical, social, and spiritual transformation resulting from understanding the Word. It moves from individual feasting to outward generosity, and then to internal, collective rejoicing.
• "because they had understood the words that were declared unto them": This clearly establishes the cause-and-effect relationship. Their profound joy was not accidental or based on superficial emotion but was a direct, logical, and commanded outcome of their genuine comprehension of God's revealed Law. Understanding begat obedience, which in turn begat great joy.

Nehemiah 8 12 Bonus section

• The shift from weeping to joy in this chapter illustrates the divine principle that godly sorrow leads to repentance and ultimately, true joy in the Lord (2 Cor 7:10). The grief for their past sin was essential but temporary, making way for the deeper and enduring joy of renewed fellowship with God.
• The emphasis on "understanding" highlights the critical role of biblical teaching. The Levites did not just read but also "explained the Law" (Neh 8:8), making it accessible to everyone. This shows that comprehension of God's Word is foundational for genuine spiritual response and sustained obedience.
• The passage establishes "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh 8:10) as the foundation for their renewed life. Their "great mirth" was a direct outcome and demonstration of this strength, indicating that spiritual vibrancy empowers individuals and communities to live out God's commands with gladness rather than legalistic burden.
• The command to "send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared" (Neh 8:10) shows that their celebration was outward-focused, ensuring no one in the community was excluded from the blessings of understanding God's Word. This generous spirit is a fruit of true repentance and renewal, reflecting God's own character.

Nehemiah 8 12 Commentary

Nehemiah 8:12 is a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's Word when it is not only heard but truly understood. The people's initial response to hearing the Law was conviction and weeping, acknowledging their sin. However, this natural and necessary sorrow was quickly replaced by a profound, commanded joy, precisely because the Levites helped them "understand the words." Their celebration, manifested in feasting and generously sharing with others, was not merely a spontaneous emotional reaction but an act of corporate obedience. It symbolized their renewed covenant relationship with God and their practical commitment to His statutes, which included generosity towards the less fortunate. This demonstrates that true spiritual revival involves both contrition for sin and exuberant joy in God's grace and truth, leading to practical expressions of love and community. The "great mirth" underscores the deep spiritual satisfaction derived from embracing divine truth.