Nehemiah
Nehemiah 8:2–8
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.
4Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for this occasion. At his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and at his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was standing above them all, and as he opened it, all the people stood up. 6Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7The Levites — Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah — instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places. 8So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining ita and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.
Footnotes
- a 8:8 Or translating it or paragraph by paragraph
Word by word
Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.
Nehemiah 8:2
| English | Hebrew | Sounds like | Grammar | Word study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On the first | אֶחָ֖ד | ’e·ḥāḏ | Number - masculine singular | H259 one |
| day | בְּי֥וֹם | bə·yō·wm | Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular | H3117 day |
| of the seventh | הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי׃ | haš·šə·ḇî·‘î | Article; Number - ordinal masculine singular | H7637 seventh |
| month | לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ | la·ḥō·ḏeš | Preposition-l, Article; Noun - masculine singular | H2320 (newness), new moon, month |
| Ezra | עֶזְרָ֣א | ‘ez·rā | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H5830 Ezra |
| the priest | הַ֠כֹּהֵן | hak·kō·hên | Article; Noun - masculine singular | H3548 priest |
| brought | וַיָּבִ֣יא | way·yā·ḇî | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | H935 come in, come, go in, go |
| the Law | הַתּוֹרָ֞ה | hat·tō·w·rāh | Article; Noun - feminine singular | H8451 direction, instruction, law |
| before | לִפְנֵ֤י | lip̄·nê | Preposition-l; Noun - common plural construct | H6440 face, before |
| the assembly | הַקָּהָל֙ | haq·qā·hāl | Article; Noun - masculine singular | H6951 assembly, convocation, congregation |
| of men | מֵאִ֣ישׁ | mê·’îš | Preposition-m; Noun - masculine singular | H376 man |
| and | וְעַד־ | wə·‘aḏ- | Conjunctive waw; Preposition | H5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while |
| women | אִשָּׁ֔ה | ’iš·šāh | Noun - feminine singular | H802 woman, wife, female |
| and all | וְכֹ֖ל | wə·ḵōl | Conjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular construct | H3605 the whole, all |
| who could listen | לִשְׁמֹ֑עַ | liš·mō·a‘ | Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | H8085 hear |
| and understand | מֵבִ֣ין | mê·ḇîn | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular | H995 discern |
Nehemiah 8:3
| English | Hebrew | Sounds like | Grammar | Word study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| So | וַיִּקְרָא־ | way·yiq·rā- | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | H7121 call, proclaim, read |
| it aloud | בוֹ֩ | ḇōw | Preposition; third person masculine singular | |
| from | מִן־ | min- | Preposition | H4480 out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not |
| daybreak | הָאוֹר֙ | hā·’ō·wr | Article; Noun - common singular | H216 light |
| until | עַד־ | ‘aḏ- | Preposition | H5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while |
| noon | מַחֲצִ֣ית | ma·ḥă·ṣîṯ | Noun - feminine singular construct | H4276 half, middle |
| as he faced | לִפְנֵ֨י | lip̄·nê | Preposition-l; Noun - common plural construct | H6440 face, before |
| the square | הָרְח֜וֹב | hā·rə·ḥō·wḇ | Article; Noun - feminine singular | H7339 broad open place, plaza |
| before | לִפְנֵ֣י | lip̄·nê | Preposition-l; Noun - common plural construct | H6440 face, before |
| the Water | הַמַּ֗יִם | ham·ma·yim | Article; Noun - masculine plural | H4325 water, juice, urine |
| Gate | שַֽׁעַר־ | ša·‘ar- | Noun - masculine singular construct | H8179 gate |
| in front of | נֶ֛גֶד | ne·ḡeḏ | Preposition | H5048 what is conspicuous or in front |
| the men | הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים | hā·’ă·nā·šîm | Article; Noun - masculine plural | H582 man, mankind |
| and women | וְהַנָּשִׁ֖ים | wə·han·nā·šîm | Conjunctive waw, Article; Noun - feminine plural | H802 woman, wife, female |
| and those who could understand | וְהַמְּבִינִ֑ים | wə·ham·mə·ḇî·nîm | Conjunctive waw, Article; Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural | H995 discern |
| And all | כָל־ | ḵāl | Noun - masculine singular construct | H3605 the whole, all |
| the people | הָעָ֖ם | hā·‘ām | Article; Noun - masculine singular | H5971 people |
| listened attentively to | וְאָזְנֵ֥י | wə·’ā·zə·nê | Conjunctive waw; Noun - feminine dual construct | H241 ear |
| the Book | סֵ֥פֶר | sê·p̄er | Noun - masculine singular construct | H5612 missive, document, writing, book |
| of the Law | הַתּוֹרָֽה׃ | hat·tō·w·rāh | Article; Noun - feminine singular | H8451 direction, instruction, law |
Nehemiah 8:4
| English | Hebrew | Sounds like | Grammar | Word study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ezra | עֶזְרָ֣א | ‘ez·rā | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H5830 Ezra |
| the scribe | הַסֹּפֵ֗ר | has·sō·p̄êr | Article; Noun - masculine singular | H5608 count |
| stood | וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֞ד | way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | H5975 take one's stand, stand |
| on | עַֽל־ | ‘al- | Preposition | H5921 height |
| a high wooden | עֵץ֮ | ‘êṣ | Noun - masculine singular | H6086 tree, trees, wood |
| platform | מִגְדַּל־ | miḡ·dal- | Noun - masculine singular construct | H4026 tower |
| built | עָשׂ֣וּ | ‘ā·śū | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | H6213 do, make |
| for this occasion | לַדָּבָר֒ | lad·dā·ḇār | Preposition-l, Article; Noun - masculine singular | H1697 speech, word |
| At his | עַל־ | ‘al- | Preposition | H5921 height |
| right side | יְמִינ֑וֹ | yə·mî·nōw | Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singular | H3225 right hand |
| stood | וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד | way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | H5975 take one's stand, stand |
| Mattithiah | מַתִּתְיָ֡ה | mat·tiṯ·yāh | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H4993 Mattithjah |
| Shema | וְשֶׁ֡מַע | wə·še·ma‘ | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H8087 Shema |
| Anaiah | וַ֠עֲנָיָה | wa·‘ă·nā·yāh | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H6043 Anajah |
| Uriah | וְאוּרִיָּ֧ה | wə·’ū·rî·yāh | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H223 Urijah |
| Hilkiah | וְחִלְקִיָּ֛ה | wə·ḥil·qî·yāh | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H2518 Chilhijah |
| and Maaseiah | וּמַעֲשֵׂיָ֖ה | ū·ma·‘ă·śê·yāh | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H4641 Maasejah |
| and at his left | וּמִשְּׂמֹאל֗וֹ | ū·miś·śə·mō·lōw | Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m; Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine singular | H8040 the left |
| were Pedaiah | פְּ֠דָיָה | pə·ḏā·yāh | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H6305 Pedajah |
| Mishael | וּמִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל | ū·mî·šā·’êl | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H4332 Mishael |
| Malchijah | וּמַלְכִּיָּ֛ה | ū·mal·kî·yāh | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H4441 Malkijah |
| Hashum | וְחָשֻׁ֥ם | wə·ḥā·šum | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H2828 Chashum |
| Hash-baddanah | וְחַשְׁבַּדָּ֖נָה | wə·ḥaš·bad·dā·nāh | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H2806 Chasbaddanah |
| Zechariah | זְכַרְיָ֥ה | zə·ḵar·yāh | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H2148 Zecarjah |
| and Meshullam | מְשֻׁלָּֽם׃פ | mə·šul·lām | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H4918 Meshullam |
Nehemiah 8:5
| English | Hebrew | Sounds like | Grammar | Word study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ezra | עֶזְרָ֤א | ‘ez·rā | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H5830 Ezra |
| opened | וַיִּפְתַּ֨ח | way·yip̄·taḥ | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | H6605 open |
| the book | הַסֵּ֙פֶר֙ | has·sê·p̄er | Article; Noun - masculine singular | H5612 missive, document, writing, book |
| in full view | לְעֵינֵ֣י | lə·‘ê·nê | Preposition-l; Noun - cdc | H5869 eye |
| of all | כָל־ | ḵāl | Noun - masculine singular construct | H3605 the whole, all |
| the people | הָעָ֔ם | hā·‘ām | Article; Noun - masculine singular | H5971 people |
| since | כִּֽי־ | kî- | Conjunction | H3588 burning, branding |
| he was | הָיָ֑ה | hā·yāh | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | H1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be |
| standing above them | מֵעַ֥ל | mê·‘al | Preposition-m | H5921 height |
| all | כָּל־ | kāl- | Noun - masculine singular construct | H3605 the whole, all |
| and as he opened it | וּכְפִתְח֖וֹ | ū·ḵə·p̄iṯ·ḥōw | Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct; third person masculine singular | H6605 open |
| all | כָל־ | ḵāl | Noun - masculine singular construct | H3605 the whole, all |
| the people | הָעָֽם׃ | hā·‘ām | Article; Noun - masculine singular | H5971 people |
| stood up | עָֽמְד֥וּ | ‘ā·mə·ḏū | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | H5975 take one's stand, stand |
Nehemiah 8:6
| English | Hebrew | Sounds like | Grammar | Word study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Then Ezra | עֶזְרָ֔א | ‘ez·rā | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H5830 Ezra |
| blessed | וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ | way·ḇā·reḵ | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | H1288 kneel, bless |
| the LORD | יְהוָ֥ה | Yah·weh | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H3068 Yahweh |
| the great | הַגָּד֑וֹל | hag·gā·ḏō·wl | Article; Adjective - masculine singular | H1419 great |
| God | הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים | hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm | Article; Noun - masculine plural | H430 God |
| and with their hands | יְדֵיהֶ֔ם | yə·ḏê·hem | Noun - feminine dual construct; third person masculine plural | H3027 hand |
| uplifted | בְּמֹ֣עַל | bə·mō·‘al | Preposition-b; Noun - masculine singular construct | H4607 lifting |
| all | כָל־ | ḵāl | Noun - masculine singular construct | H3605 the whole, all |
| the people | הָעָ֜ם | hā·‘ām | Article; Noun - masculine singular | H5971 people |
| said | וַיַּֽעֲנ֨וּ | way·ya·‘ă·nū | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | H6030 answer, respond |
| Amen | אָמֵ֤ן׀ | ’ā·mên | Adverb | H543 verily, truly |
| Amen | אָמֵן֙ | ’ā·mên | Adverb | H543 verily, truly |
| Then they bowed down | וַיִּקְּד֧וּ | way·yiq·qə·ḏū | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | H6915 bow down |
| and worshiped | וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוֻּ֛ | way·yiš·ta·ḥă·wu | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | H7812 bow down |
| the LORD | לַיהוָ֖ה | Yah·weh | Preposition-l; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H3068 Yahweh |
| with their faces | אַפַּ֥יִם | ’ap·pa·yim | Noun - md | H639 nostril, nose, face, anger |
| to the ground | אָֽרְצָה׃ | ’ā·rə·ṣāh | Noun - feminine singular; third person feminine singular | H776 earth, land |
Nehemiah 8:7
| English | Hebrew | Sounds like | Grammar | Word study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Levites | וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם | wə·hal·wî·yim | Conjunctive waw, Article; Noun - proper - masculine plural | H3881 Levite |
| Jeshua | וְיֵשׁ֡וּעַ | wə·yê·šū·a‘ | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H3442 Jeshua |
| Bani | וּבָנִ֡י | ū·ḇā·nî | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H1137 Bani |
| Sherebiah | וְשֵׁרֵ֥בְיָ֣ה׀ | wə·šê·rê·ḇə·yāh | Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular | H8274 a Levite with Ezra |
| Jamin | יָמִ֡ין | yā·mîn | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H3226 Jamin |
| Akkub | עַקּ֡וּב | ‘aq·qūḇ | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H6126 Akkub |
| Shabbethai | שַׁבְּתַ֣י׀ | šab·bə·ṯay | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H7678 Shabbethai |
| Hodiah | הֽוֹדִיָּ֡ה | hō·w·ḏî·yāh | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H1941 Hodijah |
| Maaseiah | מַעֲשֵׂיָ֡ה | ma·‘ă·śê·yāh | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H4641 Maasejah |
| Kelita | קְלִיטָ֣א | qə·lî·ṭā | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H7042 Kelita |
| Azariah | עֲזַרְיָה֩ | ‘ă·zar·yāh | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H5838 Azarjah |
| Jozabad | יוֹזָבָ֨ד | yō·w·zā·ḇāḏ | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H3107 Jozabad |
| Hanan | חָנָ֤ן | ḥā·nān | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H2605 Chanan |
| and Pelaiah | פְּלָאיָה֙ | pə·lā·yāh | Noun - proper - masculine singular | H6411 Pelajah |
| instructed | מְבִינִ֥ים | mə·ḇî·nîm | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural | H995 discern |
| the people | הָעָ֖ם | hā·‘ām | Article; Noun - masculine singular | H5971 people |
| in the Law | לַתּוֹרָ֑ה | lat·tō·w·rāh | Preposition-l, Article; Noun - feminine singular | H8451 direction, instruction, law |
| as | וְהָעָ֖ם | wə·hā·‘ām | Conjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine singular | H5971 people |
| in | עַל־ | ‘al- | Preposition | H5921 height |
| their places | עָמְדָֽם׃ | ‘ā·mə·ḏām | Noun - masculine singular construct; third person masculine plural | H5977 standing-place |
Nehemiah 8:8
| English | Hebrew | Sounds like | Grammar | Word study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| So they read | וַֽיִּקְרְא֥וּ | way·yiq·rə·’ū | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | H7121 call, proclaim, read |
| from the Book | בַסֵּ֛פֶר | ḇas·sê·p̄er | Preposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singular | H5612 missive, document, writing, book |
| of the Law | בְּתוֹרַ֥ת | bə·ṯō·w·raṯ | Preposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct | H8451 direction, instruction, law |
| of God | הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים | hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm | Article; Noun - masculine plural | H430 God |
| explaining it | מְפֹרָ֑שׁ | mə·p̄ō·rāš | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular | H6567 make distinct, declare |
| and giving | וְשׂ֣וֹם | wə·śō·wm | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute | H7760 put, place, set |
| insight | שֶׂ֔כֶל | śe·ḵel | Noun - masculine singular | H7922 prudence, insight |
| so that the people could understand | וַיָּבִ֖ינוּ | way·yā·ḇî·nū | Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | H995 discern |
| what was being read | בַּמִּקְרָֽא׃ס | bam·miq·rā | Preposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singular | H4744 convocation; convoking, reading |
Cross-references
Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.
Nehemiah 8:2 Leviticus 23:24 · Malachi 2:7 · Numbers 29:1
Nehemiah 8:3 Revelation 3:22 · Luke 4:16–20 · Hebrews 2:1–3 · Revelation 2:29
Nehemiah 8:5 Judges 3:20 · 1 Kings 8:14
Nehemiah 8:6 1 Timothy 2:8 · Lamentations 3:41 · Exodus 4:31 · 2 Chronicles 20:18 · Revelation 7:11 · Genesis 24:26 · Psalm 134:2 · Nehemiah 5:13 · Leviticus 9:24 · 1 Chronicles 29:20 · Exodus 12:27 · Psalm 72:18–19
Nehemiah 8:7 Nehemiah 9:4 · Leviticus 10:11 · Ezra 10:22–23 · Nehemiah 3:23 · Malachi 2:7
Nehemiah 8:8 Luke 24:45 · Acts 28:23 · Acts 17:2–3 · Habakkuk 2:2 · Luke 24:27 · Luke 24:32 · Acts 8:30–35 · Matthew 5:21–22 · Matthew 5:27–28
Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.
Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.