On the second day, the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered together to Ezra the scribe, to study the words of the law. They found written in the law how Yahweh had commanded by Moses that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month; and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and get olive branches, branches of wild olive, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make temporary shelters, as it is written.”
Parallel Translations
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On the second day, the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered together to Ezra the scribe, to study the words of the law.
They found written in the law how Yahweh had commanded by Moses that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;
and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and get olive branches, branches of wild olive, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make temporary shelters, as it is written.”
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And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
And 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.
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And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the Law.
And they found written in the Law, how that the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;
and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying: 'Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.'
Cross-references (25)
- Leviticus 23:34 (v14) “Speak to the children of Israel, and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of booths for seven days to Yahweh.
- Leviticus 23:40-43 (v14) You shall take on the first day the fruit of majestic trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook;…
- Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (v14) You shall keep the feast of booths seven days, after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and from your wine press. You shall…
- Leviticus 23:40 (v15) You shall take on the first day the fruit of majestic trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook;…
- Zechariah 14:16-19 (v14) It will happen that everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King,…
Show all 25 cross-references
- Genesis 33:17 (v14) Jacob traveled to Succoth, built himself a house, and made shelters for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
- Leviticus 23:4 (v15) “ ‘These are the set feasts of Yahweh, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season.
- Deuteronomy 16:16 (v15) Three times in a year all of your males shall appear before Yahweh your God in the place which he chooses: in the feast of unleavened…
- John 7:2 (v14) Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand.
- Proverbs 2:1-6 (v13) My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you, so as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to…
- Proverbs 8:33-34 (v13) Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it. Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
- Proverbs 12:1 (v13) Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
- Genesis 8:11 (v15) The dove came back to him at evening and, behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters were abated…
- Judges 9:48-49 (v15) Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from…
- 2 Chronicles 30:23 (v13) The whole assembly took counsel to keep another seven days, and they kept another seven days with gladness.
- Nehemiah 8:7-8 (v13) Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused…
- Matthew 21:1 (v15) When they came near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
- Mark 6:33-34 (v13) They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him.…
- Luke 19:47-48 (v13) He was teaching daily in the temple, but the chief priests, the scribes, and the leading men among the people sought to destroy him. They…
- Luke 24:32 (v13) They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to…
- John 12:13 (v15) they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the…
- Acts 4:1 (v13) As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them,
- Acts 13:42 (v13) So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
- 2 Timothy 2:24-25 (v13) The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient, in gentleness correcting those who oppose him:…
- Revelation 7:9 (v15) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v15 Or, goodly branches, as Lev. 3:40.
Or, goodly branches, as Lev. 3:40.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv13–15 Neh 8:13 And on the second day were gathered…
Neh 8:13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
Ver. 13. And on the second day] The next day after they had heard the law expounded, but were not so well satisfied in some points or cases: they "follow on to know the Lord," Hos 6:3. Divine knowledge is as a great lady, that will not easily be acquainted with us but upon further suit, Pro 2:3-4.
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Were gathered together the chief of the fathers, &c.] Aeneas Sylvius was wont to say of knowledge, Popular men should esteem it as silver, noblemen as gold, princes prize it as pearls.
The priests, and Levites] These teachers of others took no scorn to learn from Ezra, that perfect scribe. The wisest here know but in part; because we prophesy but in part, 1Co 13:9; that is, we are taught but imperfectly, and those that should show us the way are themselves to seek; to teach us to run to Ithiel, the arch-prophet, as that great wise man did, Pro 30:1. The greatest part of those things which we know is the least part of the things which we know not, as that father saith.
Unto Ezra the scribe] Who was well instructed to the kingdom of God; and no less ready to throw out of his treasury, &c., Mat 13:52. It is said of Tacitus, that he knew all that he should know of the affairs of the world; and that he was primus in Historia; first in history, and that ex eius ore nil temere excidit he cut up nothing rashly from his mouth. (Scalig.). Think the same of Ezra, and much more; he was an able teacher of the ablest teachers, a sacred oracle, a living library, the argutest and accuratest of men after the prophets; as Austin is said to have been after the apostles, in contemplation and disputation.
Even to understand the words of the law] Which he had the day before expounded; and in some passages whereof they had a desire to be better resolved and satisfied. No man can possibly speak all at once, or deliver the mind of God so clearly and fully, but that there may be place left for cases and queries.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv13–15 Choosing rather to confess their ignorance for their edification,…
Choosing rather to confess their ignorance for their edification, than vainly to pretend to more knowledge than they had; wherein they show both true humility and serious godliness, that they were more careful to learn and practise their duty, than to preserve their reputation with the people.
Even to understand the words of the law; that they might more exactly understand the meaning of some things which they had heard before, and so instruct the people in them.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v13 We have here,
We have here,
I. The people's renewed attendance upon the word. They had spent the greatest part of one day in praying and hearing, and yet were so far from being weary of that new moon and sabbath that the next day after, though it was no festival, the chief of them came together again to hear Ezra expound (Neh 8:13), which they found more delightful and gainful than any worldly pleasure or profit whatsoever. Note, The more we converse with the word of God, if we rightly understand it and be affected with it, the more we shall covet to converse with it, and to increase in our acquaintance with it, saying, How sweet are thy words unto my mouth! Those that understand the scriptures well will still be desirous to understand them better. Now the priests and the Levites themselves came with the chief of the people to Ezra, that prince of expositors, to understand the words of the law, or, as it is in the margin, that they might instruct in the words of the law; they came to be taught themselves, that they might be qualified to teach others. Observe, 1. Though, on the first day, Ezra's humility had set them on his right hand and on his left, as teachers with him (Neh 8:4, Neh 8:7), yet now, they being by trial made more sensible than ever of their own deficiencies and his excellencies, on the second day their humility set them at Ezra's feet, as learners of him. 2. Those that would teach others must themselves receive instructions. Priests and Levites must be taught first and then teach.
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II. The people's ready obedience to the word, in one particular instance, as soon as they were made sensible of their duty therein. It is probable that Ezra, after the wisdom of his God that was in his hand (Ezr 7:25), when they applied to him for instruction out of the law on the second day of the seventh month, read to them those laws which concerned the feasts of that month, and, among the rest, that of the feast of tabernacles, Lev 23:34; Deu 16:13. Ministers should preach not only that which is true and good, but that which is seasonable, directing to the work of the day in its day. Here is, 1. The divine appointment of the feast of tabernacles reviewed, Neh 8:14, Neh 8:15. They found written in the law a commandment concerning it. Those that diligently search the scriptures will find those things written there which they had forgotten or not duly considered. This feast of tabernacles was a memorial of their dwelling in tents in the wilderness, a representation of our tabernacle state in this world, and a type of the holy joy of the gospel church. The conversion of the nations to the faith of Christ is foretold under the figure of this feast (Zac 14:16); they shall come to keep the feast of tabernacles, as having here no continuing city. This feast was to be proclaimed in all their cities. The people were themselves to fetch boughs of trees (they of Jerusalem fetched them from the mount of Olives) and to make booths, or arbours, of them, in which they were to lodge (as much as the weather would permit) and to make merry during the feast. 2. This appointment religiously observed, Neh 8:16, Neh 8:17. Then we read and hear the word acceptably and profitably when we do according to what is written therein, when what appears to be our duty is revived after it has been neglected. (1.) They observed the ceremony: They sat in booths, which the priests and Levites set up in the courts of the temple; those that had houses of their own set up booths on the roofs of them, or in their courts; and those that had not such conveniences set them up in the streets. This feast had usually been observed (Ch2 5:3; Ezr 3:4), but never with such solemnity as now since Joshua's time, when they were newly settled, as they were now newly re-settled in Canaan. That man loves his house too well that cannot find in his heart to quit it, awhile, in compliance either with an ordinance or with a providence of God. (2.) They minded the substance, else the ceremony, how significant soever, would have been insignificant. [1.] They did it with gladness, with very great gladness, rejoicing in God and his goodness to them. All their holy feasts, but this especially, were to be celebrated with joy, which would be much for the honour of God, and their own encouragement in his service. [2.] They attended the reading and expounding of the word of God during all the days of the feast, v. 18. They improved their leisure for this good work. Spare hours cannot be better spent than in studying the scriptures and conversing with them. At this feast of tabernacles God appointed the law to be read once in seven years. Whether this was that year of release in which that service was to be performed (Deu 31:10, Deu 31:11) does not appear; however they spent all the days of the feast in that good work, and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, as God had appointed, in which they finished the solemnity the twenty-second day of the month, yet did not separate, for the twenty-fourth day was appointed to be spent in fasting and prayer. Holy joy just not indispose us for godly sorrow any more than godly sorrow for holy joy.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv13–15 And on the second day were gathered together,.... The…
And on the second day were gathered together,.... The second day of the month, and of the new year, the day after the feast of blowing of trumpets, and after the law had been read and explained:
the chief of the fathers of all the people: heads of tribes and families: the priests and the Levites; who, though they were instructors of others, needed to be taught themselves, of which they were sensible: and therefore came
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unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law; some things in it, which, upon reading the day before, they observed had some difficulty in them, and which they did not clearly and thoroughly understand; and therefore applied to Ezra, a ready scribe in the law, for better information, and that they might be better able to teach the people; which was highly commendable in them.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv13, 15 Levites - Chusing rather to confess their ignorance than…
Levites - Chusing rather to confess their ignorance than vainly to pretend to more knowledge than they had: wherein they shew both humility, and serious godliness, that they were more careful to learn their duty than to preserve their reputation.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv14–15 Verse 14. In the feast of the seventh month]…
Verse 14. In the feast of the seventh month] That is, the feast of tabernacles, which was held in commemoration of the sojourning of their fathers in the wilderness after they had been delivered from the Egyptian bondage. Now, having been delivered from the Babylonish captivity, and the proper time of the year occurring, it was their especial duty to keep the same feast.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv13–14 Neh 8:13. On the second day were gathered to…
Neh 8:13. On the second day were gathered to him the chief of the fathers, the priests, &c. — Thus manifesting both humility and serious godliness, in that they chose rather to confess their ignorance, in order that they might be instructed, than vainly to pretend to more knowledge than they had, and were more careful to learn and practise their duty than to preserve their reputation with the people. To understand the words of the law — That they might obtain a more perfect knowledge of some things, which they had heard, and partly knew before, and so might instruct the people in them.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv13–15 To understand - Rather, “to consider.”
To understand - Rather, “to consider.”
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv13, 15 Law, concerning some difficulties, particularly the manner of keeping…
Law, concerning some difficulties, particularly the manner of keeping the ensuing festival. (Tirinus) --- Thus Christ explained to his disciples what he had spoken to the people. (Haydock)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv13–15 THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, Neh_8:13-18.
THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, Neh_8:13-18.
13. The second day — The second day of the month, the next day after the feast of the new moon. So interested had the people become in the reading of the law, that on the very next day after the feast the chief of the fathers, the principal elders and representatives of the nation, met again to continue the study of the law. There were manifest inconveniences in assembling the entire population, men, women, and children, as on the previous day, (Neh_8:2,) and so only the chief representatives came together on the second day. Along with the principal fathers came also the priests and the Levites, for it was important that all of these should know the law. Bertheau and Keil construe the words the priests and the Levites with all the people, as genitive, (with ל,) after chief of the fathers; that is, chief fathers of the priests and of the Levites, as well as of all the people. According to this construction, not all the priests and Levites came, but only their chief elders or representatives. We prefer, however, to construe the words priests and Levites as subjects to the verb were gathered, and to understand that the priests and Levites assembled with the rest, not merely by their principal leaders, but in a body. It need not follow that all the priests and Levites were present, but rather the principal part of them.
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Unto Ezra the scribe — Who was profoundly versed in the law, and so capable of instructing all classes of the people.
Even to understand — This states the purpose for which they came to Ezra. The vav, (ו,) translated even, denotes that what follows is an additional and explanatory clause. Its force may be given thus: and (their coming to Ezra was) for the purpose of giving thoughtful attention (השׂכיל) to the words of the law.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv13–15 13–18. The Feast of Tabernacles
13–18. The Feast of Tabernacles
13. the second day] i.e. of the month Tisri, cf. Neh_8:2.
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the chief of the fathers] R.V. the heads of the fathers’ houses. The leading men of the nation apply to Ezra for further instruction in ‘the law.’ It will be observed that ‘the priests and the Levites’ join in this application with the laymen. Are we to suppose that they too were ignorant of the full contents of ‘the law’? This is possible, if the contents of ‘the law’ had hitherto been chiefly known by oral tradition or by disconnected writings. If this had been the case and Ezra had made himself master of the complete continuous ‘law,’ we shall be able to understand the action of ‘the priests and Levites.’ From the subsequent verses (Neh_8:14-15) it appears that Ezra supplied them not so much with profound interpretations of the Law as with statements relative to its contents and positive enactments.
even to understand] R.V. even to give attention to. The Hebrew word (l’haskîl) denotes intelligent consideration, as in Psa_41:1, ‘Blessed is he that considereth the poor;’ Psa_101:2, ‘I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way’ (marg. ‘give heed unto’); Dan_9:13, ‘have discernment in thy truth.’ The copula, rendered ‘even,’ with the infinitive defines the action of the main verb, as in Isa_44:28, ‘shall perform all my pleasure: even saying (lit. and to say) of Jerusalem, She shall be built.’ This is better than supposing the infinitive to be used for the finite verb = ‘and they gave attention.’
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv13, 15 (13) The chief of the fathers.—Not the vast multitude…
(13) The chief of the fathers.—Not the vast multitude now, as the great feast was not yet.
Even to understand.—To consider, or give attention to: that is, to learn the full meaning of the almost forgotten festival. The dwelling in booths had fallen into disuse.
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(13-18) The Feast of Tabernacles.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv13–15 And on the second day were gathered together the…
And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers. At times it is true that "increase of appetite doth grow by what it feeds on." Once let the sweetness of the Divine word be tasted and appreciated, and there springs up in the heart instantly a desire for more a wish to continue in the study a feeling like that of the Psalmist when he said, "Lord, what love have I unto thy law: all the day long is my study in it". (Psa_119:97) The Jews, taught by Ezra in the law of God on the first day of the month, return to him on the second, desirous of hearing more, hungering and thirsting after the word of life, of which they have felt the power and the excellency. To understand. Rather, "to consider," as in Psa_41:1.
Vers. 13-18. An influential congregation.
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Account of a smaller gathering than that recorded in the first part of the chapter, but likely from its character to be equally or more fruitful of good.
I THE MEETING CONVENED (ver. 13).
1. The congregation. Select; consisting of the principal heads of houses, priests, and Levites.
2. Their design. To study the law with a view to the better understanding of it.
3. Their teacher. The ablest doctor of the day.
II THE DISCOVERY MADE (vers. 14, 15). The law of the feast of tabernacles. Perhaps, although it had been kept on the first return from Babylon, it had been omitted in recent troublous times, or some important particulars had been neglected for want of instruction in the law. Now they come face to face with the original precepts.
III THE OBEDIENCE RENDERED (vers. 16-18). The chiefs doubtless proclaim the law to the people (ver. 15), and these obey it. So the feast was kept
1. By each and all.
2. With exactness. Such as had not been known since the days of Joshua.
3. With gladness.
4. With daily reading of the book of the law. It was thus a very pleasant and profitable week.
Lessons:
1. The value of well-instructed rulers and ministers of religion. Especially of such as are well instructed in Holy Scripture. An ignorant clergy is one of the greatest evils, and scarcely less a clergy learned in everything but the Bible, the teaching of whose truths is their main business. "They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." But it is an omen of good when pastors and teachers are diligent students of the word, availing themselves of the assistance of the ablest scholars of the time, and thus becoming "instructed unto the kingdom of heaven," "able to teach others also.
2. The careful student of God"s word is rewarded by important discoveries. He will find truths, precepts, and promises which are new to him, or come with all the freshness and force of a new revelation, to correct his beliefs or his conduct, or to give him new comfort and joy. The Bible is an inexhaustible mine of eternal treasures. It will repay the constant study of a life.
3. A condition of external peace and settlement is eminently favourable to the study and general practice of God"s law. These Jews could turn their serious attention to the instructions and ordinances of their law now that they were safe from the assaults of their enemies. We cannot be too thankful in this view for the quiet times we enjoy, nor too earnest in promoting to the utmost of our power the peace and mutual good will of all nations.
4. God is to be worshipped and his ordinances observed according to his own directions.
5. The celebration of Divine ordinances promotes, and should be with, gladness. The gladness of gratitude for Divine favours, the joy of a good conscience which obedience brings, the joy of mutual love and fellowship, the joy of hope, etc. Happy the people who thus unite in the service of God.
HOMILIES BY W. CLARKSON. Vers. 13-18. Keeping the feast.
"On the second day," the day after the great and affecting assembly of all the citizens, came together a representative company, "the chief of the fathers of all the people" (ver. 13), beside the priests and Levites, to "understand" or consider the law, that they might encourage all the children of Israel to a regular and faithful observance of it. This gathering led at once to
I AN ACT OF REVIVED AND REJOICING OBEDIENCE. For "they found written in the law ... that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month" (ver. 14). They came upon the commandment recorded in Leviticus 23, enjoining the observance of the feast of tabernacles or booths. This must have fallen partially, if not wholly, into disuse, though we know from Ezr_3:4 that this feast was celebrated as late as the time of Zerubbabel. Now, however, under the impulse of Nehemiah"s and Ezra"s faithful ministry, and in the glow of a religious revival, they returned to a complete and hearty observance of the ancient festival. The law required that the sacred feasts should be "proclaimed". (Lev_23:4) Giving a broad sense to the term, they took pains to proclaim it with all particularity. "In all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount," etc. (ver. 15). And there was a general and hearty response. "The people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths" (ver. 16); "all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under them" (ver. 17). Moses commanded that once in seven years the law should be read" before all Israel in their hearing". (Deu_31:11) Whether this was the seventh year or not, the injunction of Moses was obeyed. They were in the mood to do all more rather than less that was enjoined, and "day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he (Ezra) read in the book of the law of God" (ver. 18). There had been no such celebration of the feast since the days of Jeshua (ver. 17), "and there was very great gladness." Now we learn from this that
1. It is possible for a nation (or a Church) with the Bible in its keeping to allow plain duties to fall into disregard.
2. That this negligence is due to a blameworthy inattention to the word of God. The Bible is too much on the shelf, too little in the hand.
3. That a return to obedience, especially to a hearty and general (unanimous) obedience, is attended with great gladness of heart.
a. Devout study,
b. earnest obedience,
c. reverent joy these are successive steps in a true revival.
II A COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE. The feast of tabernacles was essentially commemorative. "That your generation may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths when I brought them out," etc. (Lev_23:43) It was well indeed that the children of the captivity should have their attention called to past days of exile. It would do them good, as it did their fathers, to look back and think what God had done unto them and for them. How he had humbled them, and how he had redeemed them. Thus they would think of two things
(1) past sorrows, not to be renewed, from which God had graciously delivered them; and
(2) past sins, never to be repeated, which God had mercifully forgiven them. One thought would lead to thankfulness, and the other to consecration; both to sacred joy. The recalling by our minds of past evils out of which God has led us, and past errors and wrongdoings which he has blotted out, will confirm our hearts in their gratitude and devotion.
III AN OPPORTUNITY OF INSTRUCTION IN SACRED THINGS. Whether the Jews felt bound to observe Deu_31:10, or whether the reading of the law from day to day was optional on their part (the latter is the more probable), we have them associating instruction with ceremonial observance. We should turn all occasions into opportunities of "inquiring the way of the Lord more perfectly," of becoming filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding... increasing in the knowledge of God". C. (Col_1:9, Col_1:10)
HOMILIES BY R.A. REDFORD Vers. 13-18. Restoration of the feast of tabernacles in its plenitude.
I A NOTABLE INSTANCE OF NEGLECT. The commandment was plainly written, but "since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun the children of Israel had not done so. " How much they lost? gladness, fellowship, help to their remembrance of Divine mercy, food of faith. We should follow the directions of God"s book without question. Much yet to break forth from the written pages.
II An illustration of the DEPENDENCE OF GOD"S PEOPLE ON ONE ANOTHER. The council of "fathers, priests, Levites, and Ezra the scribe gathered together to understand the words of the law." All cannot pursue the same inquiries. The progress of the Church is greatly advanced by the consecration of some to the study of the Scriptures. All councils and conferences should be held with a practical end in view, to understand in order to reformation of life and manners. Much of the deliberation of learned men has failed of God"s blessing because it has been merely speculative or controversial. We can scarcely doubt that Ezra was the leading spirit. One eminent man of God can wonderfully animate and direct his Church in great crises. The true leader will never despise counsel, but be only primus inter pares.
III A TYPICAL REPRESENTATION OF THE BELIEVING LIFE OF GOD"S PEOPLE. The festival in the green booths fetched from the mount.
1. Grateful memory and pilgrim expectation.
2. Free fellowship and happy intercourse, with Jerusalem as the centre. Church life ought to be real root of all other life. We go from our own cities to Jerusalem, and return with the sanctity of the feast, to be distributed over all the common ways and facts of an every-day existence.
3. Consecrated seasons, festival times, needed in all service of God. For the heart must be lifted up that the hands may be kept busy. Function of praise in the life. They of the captivity do well to recognise one another in their freedom. God invites us to turn nature into joy. Consecrate the very trees to him. Rejoice under the open heaven in his loving-kindness. Connect his holy mount with the simple tent that covers our head. He waits not for splendid ritual or temple, but delights in the homely praise of those who spread the beauty of his name over all the earth. R.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v15 So the people went forth, and brought them, and…
Neh_8:15-18
So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths
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The celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles
I.
We are reminded here that there is such a thing as buried truth. True reformations and revivals of religion have always consisted in peoples minds being directed to some portion of truth which, though contained in the Word of God, has for a time been lost sight of.
II. We observe that in this instance the Jews dared to follow God, apart prom and in spite of the traditions of a thousand years. It is not a valid argument against a view of truth that it has found no acceptance for long, or even that the testimony of successive generations is against it.
III. Weak and despised instrumentality is often used of God to recover lost truth. It was reserved for the feeble remnant that returned from the Babylonish captivity to do what had not been done even in the bright days of Solomon. The Waldenses bearing dogged testimony against Rome for centuries. The Gospellers of Wycliffes and other days in our own land. George Fox and his noble band of Friends.
IV. It was after bitter chastisement of captivity that the nation was thus made willing and obedient. (W. P. Lockhart.)
Religion in booths
It is a grand festival. It is the Feast of Tabernacles. The people celebrate the deliverance of their fathers from desert travel, where they lived in tents. And it is also typical of our march to heaven--pilgrims in a temporary booth on the way to Canaan. So that I say to you in a figurative sense what was said to the Jews in a literal sense, Go forth into the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths.
I. The olive branch is always used as a sign of peace. The olive-tree grows in warm climates to the height of about twenty-five feet, has an upright stem, and many out-shooting branches which can easily be stripped off. If a twig of this tree, in time of war, is handed from one general to another, it means the unsaddling of cavalry horses and the hanging up of the war knapsacks. After hostilities have ceased, these branches are placed over doorways, and they are built into triumphal arches, and they are waved in processions. They spell out in verdurous letters that heaven-born word of Peace! Now in this gospel arbour which God sends us to build we must have two of these olive branches.
1. Peace with God.
2. Peace with each other.
II. My text, in the next place, suggests that in this arbour for our soul, on the way toward glory, we ought to have a good many pine branches. Now, pine is healthful, aromatic, and an evergreen. It has often been the case that invalids have been sent into the regions where the pine grows, and they have come back thoroughly well. It is a frequent prescription, on the part of physicians, to say, Go for a few weeks amid the pines, and you will be better. Now we want in this gospel arbour pine branches. We want something that means health, aroma, and evergreen. This is a very healthy religion. I have known an old Christian, with no capital of physical health, and carrying about him all the respectable diseases that one can carry, and yet kept alive by nothing at all but his religion. But this gospel is evergreen. What does the pine forest care for the snow on its brow? It merely considers it a crown of glory. You cannot freeze out the pine forest, and this grace of God is just as good in the winter of trouble as it is in the summer of prosperity. It is the religion you want--not dependent upon weather or upon change.
III. My text suggests still further that this arbour of Christian grace ought to have in it a good many palm branches. You know that it is a favourite tree at the East. The ancients used to make it into three hundred and sixty uses. The fruit is conserved. The sap becomes a beverage. The stones are ground up as food for camels. The base of the leaves is twisted into rope. Baskets and mats are made out of it, and from the root to the tip-top of the palm it is all usefulness. It grows eighty-five feet in height, is columnar, its fringed leaves sometimes four or five yards long, and the ancients used to carry it in processions as a symbol of victory. Oh, for more palm branches in our gospel arbour! Usefulness and victory! Head, heart, tongue, pen, money, social position--all employed for God. Counsel is often given on worldly matters--about investments--that you must not put all the eggs in one basket; but in this matter of religion I wish that we might give all to God, and get in ourselves. Oh, says some man, my business is to sell silks and calicoes. Then sell silks and calicoes for the glory of God. Says another man, My business is to edit a newspaper. Then edit a newspaper for the glory of God. Anything that a man cannot do for the glory of God he has no right to do. The vast majority of professed Christians in this day do not amount to anything. You have to shovel them off the track before the chariot of Gods grace can advance. What we want in the Church now is not weeping willows, sighing and weeping by the Water-courses, admiring their long fringes in the glass of the stream; not hickories full of knots; not wild cherry, dropping bitter fruits; but palm-trees, adapted to three hundred and sixty purposes--root, trunk, branch, leaf, producing something for God and man and angels.
IV. My text demands that in the making of this gospel arbour we shall get branches of thick trees. You know that a booth or arbour is of little worth unless there be stout poles at the corners, or the wind will upset the booth; and you will be worse off than without shelter unless you have strong branches of thick trees. A gospel that is all mellowness and sweetness will have no strength to withstand the blast of temptation and trial and trouble. We want a brawny Christianity. We want a gospel with warnings as well as with invitations. While olive branches are good in their places, and the palm branches, and the myrtle branches, we want the stout branches of thick trees. The tempest of temptation will come down after a while; the hurricane of death will blow; and alas! for that man who has not his soul sheltered under the stout branches of the thick trees. (T. De Witt Talmage.)
Also day by day . . . he read in the book of the law of God.
Daily Bible-reading
I. Why?
1. Because of its infinite preciousness and value.
2. Because of its tendency to build up the inner and spiritual life.
3. Because all great revivals of the power of religion have been associated with high reverence for the written Word.
4. Because by this Word you must be judged.
II. How?
1. With reverence.
2. With special affection and prayerfulness.
3. Take time.
4. Keep the end in view. (S. Thodey.)
.
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v13 On the second day
On the second day
"On day 2" or "On the next day" (See: Ordinal Numbers)
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to gain insight from
The abstract noun "insight" can be expressed as a verb. AT: "to understand" (See: Abstract Nouns)
should live in shelters
These were temporary shelters that people made out of branches and leaves.
the seventh month
"month 7." This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars. (See: Ordinal Numbers and Hebrew Months)
They should make a proclamation
"They should announce"
myrtle
a kind of small tree with colorful flowers (See: Translate Unknowns)
shade trees
"leafy trees"
as it is written
This can be translated in active form. AT: "as Moses wrote about it" (See: Active or Passive)
translationWords
day
family
priest
Levi
Ezra
scribe
law
written
Yahweh
command
Moses
Israel
life
refuge
festival
preach
Jerusalem
olive
palm
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v15 8:15 make shelters in which they would live during…
8:15 make shelters in which they would live during the festival: The Festival of Shelters commemorated that the people of Israel had lived in tents during their wilderness journey (Lev 23:33-43; see also Num 29:12-39; Deut 16:13-15).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.