Nehemiah

Nehemiah 8:7–13

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 it^a and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.

⁹Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.”

For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.

¹⁰Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

¹¹And the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Do not grieve.”

¹²Then all the people began to eat and drink, to send out portions, and to rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that had been made known to them.

¹³On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to study the words of the Law.

Footnotes

a 8:8 Or translating it or paragraph by paragraph

Read all of Nehemiah 8

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 8:7

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

Nehemiah 8:9

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Nehemiah	נְחֶמְיָ֣ה	nə·ḥem·yāh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H5166 Nechemjah
the governor	הַתִּרְשָׁ֡תָא	hat·tir·šā·ṯā	Article; Adjective - masculine singular	H8660 Tirshathâ
Ezra	וְעֶזְרָ֣א	wə·‘ez·rā	Conjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H5830 Ezra
the priest	הַכֹּהֵ֣ן׀	hak·kō·hên	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H3548 priest
and scribe	הַסֹּפֵ֡ר	has·sō·p̄êr	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5608 count
and the Levites	וְהַלְוִיִּם֩	wə·hal·wî·yim	Conjunctive waw, Article; Noun - proper - masculine plural	H3881 Levite
who were instructing	הַמְּבִינִ֨ים	ham·mə·ḇî·nîm	Article; Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural	H995 discern
the people	הָעָ֜ם	hā·‘ām	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5971 people
said	וַיֹּ֣אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
to all	לְכָל־	lə·ḵāl	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
This	הוּא֙	hū	Pronoun - third person masculine singular	H1931 he, she
day	הַיּ֤וֹם	hay·yō·wm	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H3117 day
is holy	קָדֹֽשׁ־	qā·ḏōš-	Adjective - masculine singular	H6918 sacred, holy
to the LORD	לַיהוָ֣ה	Yah·weh	Preposition-l; Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
your God	אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם	’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem	Noun - masculine plural construct; second person masculine plural	H430 God
Do not	אַל־	’al-	Adverb	H408 prohibition, do not . . ., let not . . .
mourn	תִּֽתְאַבְּל֖וּ	tiṯ·’ab·bə·lū	Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine plural	H56 mourn
or weep	תִּבְכּ֑וּ	tiḇ·kū	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural	H1058 weep, bewail
For	כִּ֤י	kî	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
all	כָּל־	kāl-	Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
the people	הָעָ֔ם	hā·‘ām	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5971 people
were weeping	בוֹכִים֙	ḇō·w·ḵîm	Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural	H1058 weep, bewail
as they heard	כְּשָׁמְעָ֖ם	kə·šā·mə·‘ām	Preposition-k; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct; third person masculine plural	H8085 hear
the words	דִּבְרֵ֥י	diḇ·rê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H1697 speech, word
of the Law	הַתּוֹרָֽה׃	hat·tō·w·rāh	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H8451 direction, instruction, law

Nehemiah 8:10

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Then	וַיֹּ֣אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
them	לָהֶ֡ם	lā·hem	Preposition; third person masculine plural
Go	לְכוּ֩	lə·ḵū	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H1980 go, come, walk
and eat	אִכְל֨וּ	’iḵ·lū	Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H398 eat
what is rich	מַשְׁמַנִּ֜ים	maš·man·nîm	Noun - masculine plural	H4924 fatness
drink	וּשְׁת֣וּ	ū·šə·ṯū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H8354 drink
what is sweet	מַֽמְתַקִּ֗ים	mam·ṯaq·qîm	Noun - masculine plural	H4477 sweet
and send out	וְשִׁלְח֤וּ	wə·šil·ḥū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H7971 send
portions	מָנוֹת֙	mā·nō·wṯ	Noun - feminine plural	H4490 part, portion
to those who have nothing	לְאֵ֣ין	lə·’ên	Preposition-l; Adverb	H369 nothing, nought
prepared	נָכ֣וֹן	nā·ḵō·wn	Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular	H3559 be firm
since	כִּֽי־	kî-	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
today	הַיּ֖וֹם	hay·yō·wm	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H3117 day
is holy	קָד֥וֹשׁ	qā·ḏō·wōš	Adjective - masculine singular	H6918 sacred, holy
to our Lord	לַאֲדֹנֵ֑ינוּ	la·’ă·ḏō·nê·nū	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine plural construct; first person common plural	H113 lord
Do not	וְאַל־	wə·’al-	Conjunctive waw; Adverb	H408 prohibition, do not . . ., let not . . .
grieve	תֵּ֣עָצֵ֔בוּ	tê·‘ā·ṣê·ḇū	Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural	H6087 hurt, pain, grieve
for	כִּֽי־	kî-	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
the joy	חֶדְוַ֥ת	ḥeḏ·waṯ	Noun - feminine singular construct	H2304 joy
of the LORD	יְהוָ֖ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
is	הִ֥יא	hî	Pronoun - third person feminine singular	H1931 he, she
your strength	מָֽעֻזְּכֶֽם׃	mā·‘uz·zə·ḵem	Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine plural	H4581 place or means of safety, protection

Nehemiah 8:11

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
And the Levites	וְהַלְוִיִּ֞ם	wə·hal·wî·yim	Conjunctive waw, Article; Noun - proper - masculine plural	H3881 Levite
calmed	מַחְשִׁ֤ים	maḥ·šîm	Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural	H2814 be silent, inactive, still
all	לְכָל־	lə·ḵāl	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
the people	הָעָם֙	hā·‘ām	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5971 people
saying	לֵאמֹ֣ר	lê·mōr	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H559 utter, say
Be still	הַ֔סּוּ	has·sū	Interjection	H2013 hush
since	כִּ֥י	kî	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
today	הַיּ֖וֹם	hay·yō·wm	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H3117 day
is holy	קָדֹ֑שׁ	qā·ḏōš	Adjective - masculine singular	H6918 sacred, holy
Do not	וְאַל־	wə·’al-	Conjunctive waw; Adverb	H408 prohibition, do not . . ., let not . . .
grieve	תֵּעָצֵֽבוּ׃	tê·‘ā·ṣê·ḇū	Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural	H6087 hurt, pain, grieve

Nehemiah 8:12

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Then all	כָל־	ḵāl	Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
the people	הָעָ֜ם	hā·‘ām	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5971 people
began to eat	לֶאֱכֹ֤ל	le·’ĕ·ḵōl	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H398 eat
and drink	וְלִשְׁתּוֹת֙	wə·liš·tō·wṯ	Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H8354 drink
to send out	וּלְשַׁלַּ֣ח	ū·lə·šal·laḥ	Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l; Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct	H7971 send
portions	מָנ֔וֹת	mā·nō·wṯ	Noun - feminine plural	H4490 part, portion
and	וְלַעֲשׂ֖וֹת	wə·la·‘ă·śō·wṯ	Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H6213 do, make
to rejoice	שִׂמְחָ֣ה	śim·ḥāh	Noun - feminine singular	H8057 joy, gladness, mirth
greatly	גְדוֹלָ֑ה	ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh	Adjective - feminine singular	H1419 great
because	כִּ֤י	kî	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
they understood	הֵבִ֙ינוּ֙	hê·ḇî·nū	Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural	H995 discern
the words	בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים	bad·də·ḇā·rîm	Preposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine plural	H1697 speech, word
that	אֲשֶׁ֥ר	’ă·šer	Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
had been made known	הוֹדִ֖יעוּ	hō·w·ḏî·‘ū	Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural	H3045 know
to them	לָהֶֽם׃ס	lā·hem	Preposition; third person masculine plural

Nehemiah 8:13

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
On the second	הַשֵּׁנִ֡י	haš·šê·nî	Article; Number - ordinal masculine singular	H8145 second
day	וּבַיּ֣וֹם	ū·ḇay·yō·wm	Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singular	H3117 day
the heads	רָאשֵׁ֨י	rā·šê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H7218 head
of all	לְכָל־	lə·ḵāl	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine singular construct	H3605 the whole, all
the families	הָאָב֜וֹת	hā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H1 father
along with the priests	הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙	hak·kō·hă·nîm	Article; Noun - masculine plural	H3548 priest
and Levites	וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם	wə·hal·wî·yim	Conjunctive waw, Article; Noun - proper - masculine plural	H3881 Levite
gathered	נֶאֶסְפוּ֩	ne·’es·p̄ū	Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural	H622 gather, remove
around	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
Ezra	עֶזְרָ֖א	‘ez·rā	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H5830 Ezra
the scribe	הַסֹּפֵ֑ר	has·sō·p̄êr	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5608 count
to study	וּלְהַשְׂכִּ֖יל	ū·lə·haś·kîl	Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l; Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct	H7919 be prudent
the words	דִּבְרֵ֥י	diḇ·rê	Noun - masculine plural construct	H1697 speech, word
of the Law	הַתּוֹרָֽה׃	hat·tō·w·rāh	Article; Noun - feminine singular	H8451 direction, instruction, law