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◄ Nehemiah 8:2►

New International Version
So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.

New Living Translation
So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand.

English Standard Version
So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month.

Berean Standard Bible
On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand.

King James Bible
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

New King James Version
So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all whocould hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month.

New American Standard Bible
Then Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men, women, and all whocould listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

NASB 1995
Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

NASB 1977
Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all whocould listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all whocould understand when listening, on the first day of the seventh month.

Amplified Bible
So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men, women and all whocould listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

Christian Standard Bible
On the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding.

American Standard Version
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.

English Revised Version
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Ezra the priest brought the Teachings in front of the assembly. This included men, women, and any [children] who could understand what they heard. This took place on the first day of the seventh month.

Good News Translation
So Ezra brought it to the place where the people had gathered--men, women, and the children who were old enough to understand.

International Standard Version
So on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought out the Law before the assembled people. Both men and women were in attendance, as well as all who could understand what they were hearing.

NET Bible
So Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly which included men and women and all those able to understand what they heard. (This happened on the first day of the seventh month.)

New Heart English Bible
Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand.

World English Bible
Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Ezra the priest brings the Law before the assembly, both of men and women, and everyone intelligent to hear, on the first day of the seventh month,

Young's Literal Translation
And Ezra the priest bringeth the law before the assembly, both of men and women, and every one intelligent to hear, on the first day of the seventh month,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Ezra the priest will bring the law before the convocation, from man and even to woman, and all understanding to hear in one day to the seventh month.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Esdras the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those that could understand, in the first day of the seventh month.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those who were able to understand, on the first day of the seventh month.

New American Bible
On the first day of the seventh month, therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand.

New Revised Standard Version
Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Ezra the priest brought the book of the law before the congregation, both of men and women and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Azra the Priest brought the Scroll of the Law before the people of the men and unto the women and everyone who was prepared to hear on the first of the seventh month.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Ezra the priest brought the Law before the congregation, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So Esdras the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and every one who had understandingwas present to hearken, on the first day of the seventh month.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Ezra Reads the Law
1At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.2On the first day of the seventh month,Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand.3So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Ezra 7:6
this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted Ezra all his requests, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.

Deuteronomy 31:11-12
when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. / Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law.

2 Kings 23:2
And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people small and great—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 34:30
And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites—all the people great and small—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.

Leviticus 23:24
“Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts.

Exodus 24:7
Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people, who replied, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.”

Joshua 8:34-35
Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. / There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who lived among them.

2 Chronicles 17:9
They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.

Acts 13:15
After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.”

Luke 4:16-17
Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read, / the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written:

Acts 15:21
For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

Matthew 13:54
Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked.

Mark 6:2
When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. “Where did this man get these ideas?” they asked. “What is this wisdom He has been given? And how can He perform such miracles?

John 7:14-15
About halfway through the feast, Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach. / The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?”

Acts 8:30-31
So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. / “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Treasury of Scripture

And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

priest

Deuteronomy 17:18
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out ofthat which is before the priests the Levites:

Deuteronomy 31:9,10
And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel…

Malachi 2:7
For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for heis the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

congregation

Deuteronomy 31:11-13
When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing…

2 Chronicles 17:7-9
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes,even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah…

Acts 15:21
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

could hear with understanding.

Isaiah 28:9
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?them that are weaned from the milk,and drawn from the breasts.

the first

Leviticus 23:24
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the firstday of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

Numbers 29:1
And in the seventh month, on the firstday of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.

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Nehemiah 8

1.The reverent manner of reading and hearing the law
9.They comfort the people
13.The eagerness of the people to hear and be instructed
16.They keep the feast of tabernacles

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

On the first day of the seventh month
This date corresponds to the Jewish New Year, known as Rosh Hashanah, a time of spiritual renewal and reflection. It marks the beginning of the civil year in the Jewish calendar and is a time of gathering and celebration. Biblically, the seventh month, Tishri, is significant for several festivals, including the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These festivals are times of repentance, atonement, and thanksgiving, setting a fitting backdrop for the public reading of the Law.

Ezra the priest
Ezra was a scribe and priest, a descendant of Aaron, who played a crucial role in the spiritual reformation of the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile. His priestly role underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and the teaching of God's Law. Ezra's dedication to studying and teaching the Law (Ezra 7:10) highlights the importance of scriptural literacy and understanding in maintaining covenant faithfulness.

brought the Law
The Law refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which contain the foundational legal and ethical instructions given by God to the Israelites. Bringing the Law before the people signifies a return to covenantal faithfulness and a desire to align the community's life with God's commandments. This act of public reading and teaching is reminiscent ofDeuteronomy 31:10-13, where Moses instructed the Israelites to read the Law every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles.

before the assembly of men and women
The inclusion of both men and women in the assembly emphasizes the communal nature of the covenant and the importance of everyone, regardless of gender, in understanding and adhering to God's Law. This inclusive gathering reflects the egalitarian aspects of the covenant community, where all are called to participate in the spiritual life of Israel.

and all who could listen and understand
This phrase indicates that the assembly included not only adults but also children and others capable of comprehension. It underscores the importance of understanding in the practice of faith, as knowledge of the Law is essential for living according to God's will. The emphasis on understanding aligns with the biblical principle that faith involves both hearing and doing (James 1:22), and it highlights the role of teaching and interpretation in the community's spiritual life.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Ezra the Priest
A scribe and priest who played a crucial role in the spiritual renewal of Israel. He was responsible for teaching the Law to the people.

2.The Assembly
This refers to the gathering of men, women, and children who were capable of understanding the reading of the Law. It signifies the inclusivity of the community in spiritual matters.

3.The Law
The Torah, or the first five books of the Bible, which contains the laws and commandments given by God to the Israelites.

4.The First Day of the Seventh Month
This date is significant as it marks the beginning of the Jewish civil year and the Feast of Trumpets, a time of gathering and reflection.

5.Jerusalem
The city where this event took place, serving as the spiritual and political center for the Jewish people.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Scripture in Community Life
The public reading of the Law underscores the centrality of Scripture in guiding the community's spiritual and moral life.

Inclusivity in Worship and Learning
The assembly included all who could understand, highlighting the importance of making God's Word accessible to everyone, regardless of age or gender.

The Role of Spiritual Leaders
Ezra's role as a priest and teacher emphasizes the responsibility of spiritual leaders to faithfully communicate God's Word to the people.

The Significance of Sacred Times
The timing of this event on the first day of the seventh month shows the importance of aligning spiritual practices with God's appointed times for reflection and renewal.

Understanding and Obedience
The emphasis on understanding the Law points to the need for comprehension as a precursor to obedience, encouraging believers to seek clarity and insight into God's Word.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Nehemiah 8:2?

2.How does Nehemiah 8:2 emphasize the importance of gathering to hear God's Word?

3.What role does Ezra play in Nehemiah 8:2, and why is it significant?

4.How can we prioritize Scripture reading in our community like Nehemiah 8:2?

5.What connections exist between Nehemiah 8:2 and other biblical calls to assembly?

6.How can families today emulate the inclusivity shown in Nehemiah 8:2?

7.What is the significance of Ezra reading the Law in Nehemiah 8:2?

8.How does Nehemiah 8:2 emphasize the importance of community worship?

9.Why was the first day of the seventh month chosen in Nehemiah 8:2?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 8?

11.In Nehemiah 8:3, is it plausible that people of all ages could stand attentive “from early morning until midday”?

12.How can Nehemiah 10:31’s strict Sabbath regulations be feasible, given the economic and agricultural demands of that era?

13.What defines a Family Integrated Church?

14.How could the entire community realistically gather and hear the Law for hours, as stated in Nehemiah 8:1–3?

What Does Nehemiah 8:2 Mean

On the first day of the seventh month

• This date matters. According toLeviticus 23:24 andNumbers 29:1, the first day of the seventh month is “a day of rest, a memorial proclaimed with the blast of horns.” Israel had just finished rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 6:15), and now, exactly when God’s calendar called for a holy gathering, the people stopped to meet with Him.

• God Himself set that date generations earlier, showing His flawless orchestration of history. Nothing here is accidental; the restored community is aligning its life with God’s precise timetable.

Ezra the priest

• Ezra’s title reminds us that this is more than a civic event. As a priest (Ezra 7:10), he carries God-given authority to instruct the people in Scripture.

•Malachi 2:7 states, “For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth.” Ezra is doing exactly that.

• By placing a spiritual leader—not a governor or military hero—at center stage, the text underscores that true renewal flows from God’s Word, not from human structures.

brought the Law

• Ezra does not bring human opinions but “the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel” (Nehemiah 8:1).Deuteronomy 31:24-26 emphasizes that this Law was to be kept beside the ark as a witness against Israel, underscoring its permanence and divine origin.

•Psalm 19:7 affirms, “The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.” Revival happens when perfect truth meets hungry hearts.

• Notice that Scripture is sufficient; no supplemental material is needed (2 Timothy 3:16).

before the assembly

• Public reading shows the Law belongs to the whole covenant community, not just scholars or leaders. Similar national gatherings appear inJoshua 8:34-35 and2 Kings 23:1-2, where kings or leaders read God’s Law aloud to all.

• Involving everyone prevents spiritual elitism and fosters accountability. The people can no longer claim ignorance of God’s standards.

of men and women and all who could listen and understand

• The wording purposely includes women and anyone capable of comprehension—likely older children.Deuteronomy 31:12 commanded, “Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God.”

• God’s Word is for every generation and gender; no believer is sidelined.Acts 2:17 echoes this inclusivity when the Spirit is poured out on “sons and daughters.”

• By ensuring that “all who could listen and understand” are present, the text highlights personal responsibility. Each person must hear, grasp, and respond to God’s commands.

summary

Nehemiah 8:2 pictures a freshly secured city pausing on God’s appointed festival day to place Scripture front and center. Ezra, the God-appointed priest, brings the unchanging Law before a fully inclusive gathering, affirming that every believer—man, woman, and comprehension-ready child—is accountable to embrace and obey God’s Word. The scene shouts that genuine renewal is birthed when an entire community aligns its calendar, leadership, and hearts with the literal, authoritative Scriptures.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2)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).

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. -Ezra the priest brought the law. Ezra, God's true priest, at once responded to the call He did not say, "The law is difficult, hard to be understood, might mislead you, should be reserved for the learned;" but at once "brought it," and "read therein"before the congregation both of men and women, and of all that could hear with understanding,i.e. of all (youths and maidens) that were old enough to understand the words.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

On the first
אֶחָ֖ד(’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259:United, one, first

day
בְּי֥וֹם(bə·yō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A day

of the seventh
הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי׃(haš·šə·ḇî·‘î)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7637:Seventh (an ordinal number)

month,
לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ(la·ḥō·ḏeš)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2320:The new moon, a month

Ezra
עֶזְרָ֣א(‘ez·rā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5830:Ezra -- 'help', three Israelites

the priest
הַ֠כֹּהֵן(hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548:Priest

brought
וַיָּבִ֣יא(way·yā·ḇî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, go

the Law
הַתּוֹרָ֞ה(hat·tō·w·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8451:Direction, instruction, law

before
לִפְנֵ֤י(lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The face

the assembly
הַקָּהָל֙(haq·qā·hāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6951:Assembly, convocation, congregation

of men
מֵאִ֣ישׁ(mê·’îš)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male person

and
וְעַד־(wə·‘aḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, while

women
אִשָּׁ֔ה(’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, female

and all
וְכֹ֖ל(wə·ḵōl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, every

who could listen
לִשְׁמֹ֑עַ(liš·mō·a‘)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligently

and understand.
מֵבִ֣ין(mê·ḇîn)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 995:To separate mentally, understand

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OT History: Nehemiah 8:2 Ezra the priest brought the law before (Neh Ne)