📖 Nehemiah — Chapter 8 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Nehemiah 8:1 And Rall the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
Nehemiah 8:2 And Ezra the Rpriest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all Tthat could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
Nehemiah 8:3 And Rhe read therein before the street that was before the water gate Tfrom 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 8:4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a Tpulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and RMaaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
Nehemiah 8:5 And Ezra opened the book in the Tsight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people Rstood up:
Nehemiah 8:6 And Ezra Rblessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Nehemiah 8:7 Also RJeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
Nehemiah 8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, Rand gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
Nehemiah 8:9 And RNehemiah, which is Tthe 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.
Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, RGo your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:11 So the Levites Rstilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
Nehemiah 8:12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and Rto make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
Nehemiah 8:13 And on Rthe second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even Tto understand the words of the law.
Nehemiah 8:14 And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded Tby Moses, that the children of Israel should Rdwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
Nehemiah 8:15 RAnd that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
Nehemiah 8:16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon Rthe roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
Nehemiah 8:17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and Rsat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
Nehemiah 8:18 Also Rday by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was Ta solemn assembly, according unto the manner.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Nehemiah 8:1–8 — Scripture read and explained
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The people ask Ezra for Moses' law and listen attentively. Ezra reads, the people worship, and teachers give the sense so the reading is understood. The account values clear communication, not simply the presence of sacred words. Hearing becomes useful as people grasp what is being said.
Key Truth: Read Scripture attentively and seek understanding.
Check What You Remember
1. Before which gate did the people gather? (Nehemiah 8:1)
Find it in Nehemiah 8:1 (KJV).
2. Who brought and read the law? (Nehemiah 8:2)
Find it in Nehemiah 8:2 (KJV).
3. What did the teachers give to help understanding? (Nehemiah 8:8)
Find it in Nehemiah 8:8 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Nehemiah 8:9–12 — Joy joined with generosity
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The people weep at the law, but the leaders tell them this holy day calls for joy. They are to share portions with those lacking preparations. Understanding God's word leads to gladness and practical inclusion. The joy of the LORD is named as strength, while concern for those without food keeps celebration from becoming self-focused.
Key Truth: Let gladness include provision for others.
Check What You Remember
1. What did the people do when they heard the law? (Nehemiah 8:9)
Find it in Nehemiah 8:9 (KJV).
2. To whom were portions to be sent? (Nehemiah 8:10)
Find it in Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV).
3. What was their strength? (Nehemiah 8:10)
Find it in Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Nehemiah 8:13–18 — Understanding becomes obedience
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Further study reveals the instruction to dwell in booths at the feast. The people gather branches, build booths, and keep the feast with great gladness. The law is read daily. The passage connects discovery with practice and continued learning, rather than ending with a moving response to a single reading.
Key Truth: Put understood Scripture into practice and keep learning.
Check What You Remember
1. What shelters did the people make? (Nehemiah 8:16)
Find it in Nehemiah 8:16 (KJV).
2. Name one kind of branch they gathered. (Nehemiah 8:15)
Find it in Nehemiah 8:15 (KJV).
3. How often was the law read during the feast? (Nehemiah 8:18)
Find it in Nehemiah 8:18 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
James 1:25 — James connects attentive looking into the word with continuing in its practice.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What can you understand more clearly and then put into practice this week?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What characterizes the audience during Ezra’s reading?
2. How does instruction go beyond simply pronouncing the text?
3. How are joy and care for others joined on the holy day?
4. What discovery leads to making booths?
5. How does reading continue through the feast?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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