ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Nehemiah 8

8:1–10:39 The Reading of the Law, and Covenant Renewal. In this long section, the Book of the Law is solemnly read, the Feast of Booths is kept, and a great act of covenant renewal is performed. For the first time in this book, Ezra enters the story. This shows the unity of his and Nehemiah’s projects. With the walls securely in place, the Mosaic law is once again made prominent. It is not security or the temple that is most essential to the life of the community; trust in God and obedience to his Word are most important.

8:1–8 The Law Is Read. Ezra reads the Book of the Law to all the people, and the Levites ensure that everyone has understood it.

Neh. 8:2 The inclusion of both men and women is stressed, since the strict keeping of the great Jerusalem feasts was expected of men only (Deut. 16:16–17). all who could understand. “Understanding” is a key theme in this chapter, since it was vital that all should know God’s law. The teaching of the law may have been neglected in the nearly one hundred years since the first return from Babylon. The first day of the seventh month was a day of rest, like a Sabbath, in the month of the Day of Atonement (see Lev. 23:24–25, 27, 34).

Neh. 8:3–5 from early morning until midday. The book was lengthy, and there may have been frequent pauses for explanation (see note on v. 7). opened the book. The act of reading, in this setting, is also a corporate act of worship.

Neh. 8:7 The Levites presumably moved among the crowd, ensuring that all could understand. Such interpretation was one of their special tasks (see Deut. 33:10; 2 Chron. 17:7–9).

8:9–12 The People Are to Be Joyful. Though sorrow for sin was the desired response to the teaching, joy at renewed relationship with God was its ultimate purpose. the joy of the Lord is your strength. As the people rejoiced in God, he would show himself strong to help and defend them. Eat . . . drink . . . send portions are important themes of worship in Deuteronomy, associated with God’s rich gifts and the privilege of sharing them (Deut. 12:12; 14:23; 26; 27–29).

8:13–18 The People Keep the Feast of Booths. This family-oriented festival highlighted God’s protection of Israel in the desert, before the conquest of Canaan.

Neh. 8:13–15 The following day, as the leaders study the Law, they realize they are in the month of the Feast of Booths, the feast of the seventh month (Lev. 23:33–43). During this feast the people lived in temporary dwellings made from branches to commemorate how they had lived in booths in the wilderness (Lev. 23:43).

Neh. 8:17–18 Jeshua is another form of “Joshua.” had not done so. Although the Feast of Booths had been celebrated on occasion (see 1 Kings 8:65; 2 Chron. 7:9; Ezra 3:4), it had apparently not been celebrated in this way (with such great joy, or in such unsettled conditions, or with all the people participating). seven days. See Lev. 23:34. For the reading of the law at the Feast of Booths (every seven years), see Deut. 31:10–11.