Nehemiah 8:3 kjv
And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
Nehemiah 8:3 nkjv
Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
Nehemiah 8:3 niv
He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Nehemiah 8:3 esv
And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
Nehemiah 8:3 nlt
He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.
Nehemiah 8 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 31:10-13 | "...at the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release... when all Israel comes... you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing..." | Command to publically read the Law |
| Josh 8:34-35 | "And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the curses, according to all that is written..." | Joshua's public reading of the Law |
| 2 Ki 23:2-3 | "And the king went up to the house of the Lord... and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant..." | Josiah's reform through the rediscovered Law |
| Psa 1:2 | "...his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night." | Delight and meditation on God's Law |
| Psa 119:105 | "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." | The illuminating power of God's Word |
| Psa 119:16 | "I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word." | Commitment to God's statutes |
| Isa 55:11 | "so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose..." | The effectiveness of God's Word |
| Jer 15:16 | "Your words were found, and I ate them; and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart..." | Consuming God's Word brings joy |
| Ezra 7:6 | "...Ezra went up from Babylonia... He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given." | Ezra's expertise and divine calling |
| Lk 4:16 | "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read." | Jesus' custom of public Scripture reading |
| Lk 8:15 | "As for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with endurance." | Good listening leads to fruit bearing |
| Acts 20:7-9 | "...Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight." | Sustained teaching by apostles |
| Rom 10:17 | "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." | Faith is generated by hearing the Word |
| Col 3:16 | "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom..." | The indwelling of Christ's Word |
| 1 Tim 4:13 | "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching." | Importance of public Scripture reading |
| Jas 1:22-25 | "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer..." | Active application after hearing |
| Rev 1:3 | "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it..." | Blessing on reading and hearing prophecies |
| Prov 4:20-22 | "My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings... they are life to those who find them..." | Importance of attentive listening |
| Isa 34:16 | "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read..." | Seeking and reading from God's Book |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness..." | The divine origin and purpose of Scripture |
| Heb 4:12 | "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..." | The living power of God's Word |
| Mat 13:23 | "As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it..." | Hearing and understanding the Word |
Nehemiah 8 verses
Nehemiah 8 3 Meaning
Nehemiah 8:3 describes Ezra the scribe's dedicated and prolonged public reading of the Book of the Law of Moses to the repatriated Israelites in Jerusalem. This reading took place in a wide public square before the Water Gate, commencing from early morning and continuing until midday. The diverse assembly included both men and women, along with all those of discerning age who were capable of comprehending the teachings. The verse highlights the profound and focused attentiveness of the entire populace as they listened to God's Word.
Nehemiah 8 3 Context
Nehemiah chapter 8 initiates a profound spiritual revival in Jerusalem, immediately following the completion of the city's walls and amidst the joyous celebration of the seventh month. This chapter marks a critical transition from physical restoration to spiritual renewal. The people, gathered "as one man," specifically requested Ezra, the skilled priest and scribe who had arrived in Jerusalem years prior (Ezra 7:6-10), to bring and read from "the Book of the Law of Moses." This desire to hear God's Word reflects a deep spiritual hunger and a turning back to the covenant with the Lord after generations of dispersion and spiritual decline. The setting at the Water Gate was a public and prominent location suitable for a vast congregation. The actions of Ezra and the response of the people in Nehemiah 8:3 lay the foundational stone for the subsequent communal repentance, understanding, and celebration of the Law, including the rediscovery of the Feast of Booths, described later in the chapter.
Nehemiah 8 3 Word analysis
And he read therein:
- he: Refers to Ezra the scribe (Neh 8:1), whose identity as a priest "skilled in the Law of Moses" (Ezra 7:6) establishes his authority and fitness for this momentous task.
- read (Heb. קָרָא, qara’): This verb means not only to vocalize written words but also to proclaim, to summon, or to declare. In this context, it implies an authoritative, clear, and perhaps resonant delivery designed for public comprehension. It suggests a liturgical and pedagogical act rather than a mere perusal.
- therein: Refers to "the book of the Law of Moses" (Neh 8:1), also known as the Torah, comprising the first five books of the Bible. This emphasizes that the reading was from God's revealed Word, not human commentary or tradition.
before the street that was before the water gate:
- street (Heb. רְחוֹב, rechov): Refers to a wide open space, a plaza, or a public square, specifically designed or naturally suited for large gatherings. This highlights the public and communal nature of the event.
- water gate: One of the gates in Jerusalem's newly rebuilt wall. It served as a landmark and likely a large, accessible open area, perfect for accommodating a vast multitude. Its name might signify proximity to a vital water source for the city.
from the morning until midday:
- morning (Heb. בֹּקֶר, boqer): Typically refers to sunrise or early daylight hours.
- midday (Heb. צָהֳרַיִם, tsohorayim): Refers to noon. This period spans approximately six hours (around 6 AM to 12 PM). This lengthy duration underscores the people's earnest desire to hear and learn, as well as Ezra's endurance in delivering the Law. It signifies an intentional and disciplined engagement with the Scriptures.
before the men and the women, and those that could understand:
- men and the women: Indicates an inclusive gathering of the entire covenant community, breaking traditional male-exclusive public assembly norms for serious instruction in some ancient societies. It underscores the equality of all people before God and His Law.
- those that could understand (Heb. כֹּל מֵבִין שׁוֹמֵעַ, kol mevin shomea', literally "all who understand by hearing"): This phrase specifies that children who had reached an age of reason and discernment were also present and expected to grasp the content. It indicates that the teaching was not just for adults, but for all who could intelligently process the information, pointing to the generational transmission of God's Word.
And the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law:
- ears of all the people were attentive (Heb. אָזְנֵי הָעָם לַסֵּפֶר, oznay ha'am la-sefer and וַתְּהִי מַשְׂכִּילָה, va-tehi maskila, "and it was attentive"): This signifies active and profound engagement, not mere passive listening. It implies spiritual readiness and a hunger to receive God's truth. This attention reflects a repentant heart ready to be transformed by the Word, emphasizing the spiritual readiness for the forthcoming understanding and repentance (Neh 8:9).
Nehemiah 8 3 Bonus section
- The Power of Oral Proclamation: In ancient cultures, where literacy was not universal, public oral reading was the primary mode of transmitting sacred texts and law. Ezra's powerful and prolonged reading ensured that the entire community, regardless of individual reading ability, had access to the full counsel of God's Law. This emphasizes the vital role of oral tradition and public preaching in the dissemination of divine truth.
- The Significance of "Law of Moses": The "Book of the Law of Moses" (Torah) was the foundation of the Israelites' covenant relationship with God. Hearing it publicly affirmed their unique identity and their commitment to His commands, contrasting sharply with the syncretic or pagan beliefs common in the surrounding nations and previous generations within Israel itself. This public declaration served as a spiritual recalibration for a community seeking to restore their national and spiritual identity according to divine truth.
- The Length of the Reading as a Spiritual Barometer: The endurance of the assembly, standing and listening attentively for approximately six hours, is a testament to their deep spiritual hunger and reverence for God's Word. It suggests that merely hearing the Law was not enough; they desired to absorb it comprehensively, indicative of a true readiness for spiritual transformation that extends beyond perfunctory religious rituals.
Nehemiah 8 3 Commentary
Nehemiah 8:3 captures a pivotal moment of spiritual awakening for the post-exilic community. Ezra’s extended, six-hour public reading of God's Law was a rigorous act of devotion, paralleled only by the profound and sustained attentiveness of a multi-generational audience. The inclusivity of "men and the women, and those that could understand" highlights the communal and comprehensive nature of their covenant re-commitment; God's commands were for everyone capable of receiving them, regardless of gender or age, as long as they could discern the meaning. The open setting at the Water Gate amplified the public display of commitment to God's Word. This single verse paints a picture of intense spiritual hunger and diligence, laying the groundwork for deep understanding, joyous obedience, and national revival that unfold throughout Nehemiah chapter 8, serving as an enduring model for the centrality of Scripture in corporate worship and spiritual growth.