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. He read from it before the wide place that was in front of the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand. The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people), and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God. All the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the lifting up of their hands. They bowed their heads, and worshiped Yahweh with their faces to the ground.
Show the surrounding paragraph
Nehemiah 8:2-6 sits inside this longer paragraph.
All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the wide place that was in front of the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Yahweh had commanded to Israel. 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. He read from it before the wide place that was in front of the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand. The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people), and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God. All the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the lifting up of their hands. They bowed their heads, and worshiped Yahweh with their faces to the ground.
Parallel Translations
-
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.
He read from it before the wide place that was in front of the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand. The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people), and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
Then Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God. All the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the lifting up of their hands. They bowed their heads, and worshiped Yahweh with their faces to the ground.
-
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.
And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Show all 3 translations
-
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.
And he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the Law.
And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people — for he was above all the people — and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered: 'Amen, Amen', with the lifting up of their hands; and they bowed their heads, and fell down before the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Cross-references (63)
- 1 Timothy 2:8 (v6) I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.
- Leviticus 23:24 (v2) “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a solemn rest for you, a…
- Lamentations 3:41 (v6) Let’s lift up our heart with our hands to God in the heavens.
- Exodus 4:31 (v6) The people believed, and when they heard that Yahweh had visited the children of Israel, and that he had seen their affliction, then they…
- 2 Chronicles 20:18 (v6) Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshiping…
Show all 62 cross-references
- Judges 3:20 (v5) Ehud came to him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. Ehud said, “I have a message from God to you.” He arose out…
- Revelation 7:11 (v6) All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne,…
- Genesis 24:26 (v6) The man bowed his head, and worshiped Yahweh.
- Nehemiah 5:13 (v6) Also I shook out my lap, and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that doesn’t perform this promise;…
- Psalms 134:2 (v6) Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise Yahweh!
- Malachi 2:7 (v2) For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Yahweh of Armies.
- Revelation 3:22 (v3) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
- Exodus 12:27 (v6) that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of Yahweh’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he…
- Leviticus 9:24 (v6) Fire came out from before Yahweh, and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted, and…
- Numbers 29:1 (v2) “ ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no regular work. It is a day of…
- 1 Kings 8:14 (v5) The king turned his face around, and blessed all the assembly of Israel; and all the assembly of Israel stood.
- 1 Chronicles 29:20 (v6) Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless Yahweh your God!” All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and bowed down…
- Psalms 72:18-19 (v6) Praise be to Yahweh God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Blessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be…
- Luke 4:16-20 (v3) He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to…
- Hebrews 2:1-3 (v3) Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. For if the word spoken through…
- Revelation 2:29 (v3) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
- Acts 15:21 (vv2–3) For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
- Genesis 14:22 (v6) Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to Yahweh, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,
- Deuteronomy 17:18 (v2) It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is…
- Deuteronomy 31:9-13 (v2) Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and to all the elders of…
- 2 Chronicles 6:4 (v6) He said, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father, and has with his hands fulfilled it, saying,
- 2 Chronicles 29:30 (v6) Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer.…
- Ezra 10:29 (v4) Of the sons of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, Jeremoth.
- Ezra 10:33 (v4) Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei.
- Nehemiah 10:3 (v4) Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,
- Nehemiah 10:7 (v4) Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
- Nehemiah 10:18 (v4) Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,
- Nehemiah 10:20 (v4) Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
- Nehemiah 10:25 (v4) Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
- Nehemiah 11:5 (v4) and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the…
- Nehemiah 11:7 (v4) These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah,…
- Nehemiah 12:13 (v4) of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
- Psalms 28:2 (v6) Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
- Psalms 41:13 (v6) Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen.
- Psalms 63:4 (v6) So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name.
- Psalms 141:2 (v6) Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice.
- Isaiah 28:9 (v2) Whom will he teach knowledge? To whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts?
- Jeremiah 28:6 (v6) even the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May Yahweh do so. May Yahweh perform your words which you have prophesied, to bring again the…
- Matthew 6:13 (v6) Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’
- Matthew 7:28-29 (v3) When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them with authority, and not…
- Matthew 26:39 (v6) He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me;…
- Mark 12:37 (v3) Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?” The common people heard him gladly.
- Luke 4:16-17 (v5) He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to…
- Luke 8:18 (v3) Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that…
- Luke 19:48 (v3) They couldn’t find what they might do, for all the people hung on to every word that he said.
- Acts 13:15 (v3) After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of…
- Acts 13:27 (v3) For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn’t know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every…
- Acts 16:14 (v3) A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us. The Lord opened her heart to…
- Acts 17:11 (v3) Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures…
- Acts 28:23 (v3) When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and…
- 1 Corinthians 14:16 (v6) Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he…
- Ephesians 1:3 (v6) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (v3) For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the…
- 1 Peter 1:3 (v6) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope…
- 2 Chronicles 17:7-9 (v2) Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities…
- Acts 20:7 (v3) On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the…
- Acts 20:11 (v3) When he had gone up, and had broken bread and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.
62 distinct cross-references across this passage (63 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (18 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5 Which had age and discretion to understand.
Which had age and discretion to understand.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–6 Neh 8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law…
Neh 8:2 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.
Ver. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law] The commandment (he knew well) was a lamp, and the law a light; and reproofs of instruction the way of life, Pro 6:23. The Greeks call the law νομον, quasi θεου νοον μενοντα, the standing mind of God (Plato in Cratylo). And if Demosthenes could say of men’s laws, that they were the invention of God; if Xenophon could say of the Persian laws, that they kept the people even from coveting any wickedness; if Cicero durst say of the Roman laws, that they far excelled and exceeded all the learned libraries of the philosophers, both in weight and worth; how much more may all this and more be said of this perfect law of God, the book whereof was here brought forth by Ezra, and read and expounded in the ears of all the people! μη τοιουτους εσεσθαι τους πολιτας, ωστε πονηρου τινος εργου εφιεσθαι..
Read full note →
Before the congregation both of men and women] Heb. From man to woman; for souls have no sexes; and in Christ there is no difference, Gal 4:28. The Jews at this day little regard their women; not suffering them to come within their synagogue. And the Turkish women never go to their mosques; neither is there any heed taken or reckoning made of their religion at all. The Papists say that a distaff is fitter for a woman than a Bible.
And all that can hear with understanding] i.e. Children also, that were of any growth. Little pitchers have ears, and little children will understand much, if well principled.
Upon the first day of the seventh month] A month of more solemnities than any other. This first day was a double holy day, Lev 23:24. See Deu 31:11.
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 vv2, 4, 5 Ezra the priest came twelve or thirteen years before…
Ezra the priest came twelve or thirteen years before Nehemiah to Jerusalem; and either tarried there, or went back to Babylon, being forced to do so by the king’s command, or indispensable occasions, and then returned again with Nehemiah.
All that could hear with understanding, i.e. and such children as were come to years of understanding.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–6 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the…
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation,.... Having a perfect copy of it, which the people knew, and therefore desired him to bring it; he brought it either out of his own case or chest, or out of the temple where it was laid up; some restrain this to the book of Deuteronomy; this he produced in sight of the whole assembly:
both of men and women; adult persons of each sex, who met promiscuously; though Grotius thinks the women had a separate place:
Read full note →
and all that could hear with understanding; all under age, who yet were capable of hearing the law read to some advantage to them:
upon the first day of the seventh month; the month Tisri, answering to part of September and October; this was a high day, for not only the first of every month was a festival, but the first of the seventh month was the feast of blowing of trumpets, Lev 23:24, and besides, this was New Year's day, the first day of their civil year, as the first of Nisan was of their ecclesiastical year, and was of greater antiquity than that; and so Jarchi says, this was the first day of the year; to which may be added, that this was the day on which the altar was first set up, on the Jews' return from captivity, Ezr 3:6.
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 v2 First day - This was the feast of trumpets,…
First day - This was the feast of trumpets, which is called a sabbath, and on which they were to have an holy convocation, Lev. xxiii, 24. And it was on this day, the altar was set up, after their return from captivity; in remembrance of which they had probably kept it ever since, with more than ordinary solemnity.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv2, 4, 5, 6 Verse 2. All that could hear with understanding] Infants,…
Verse 2. All that could hear with understanding] Infants, idiots, and children not likely to receive instruction, were not permitted to attend this meeting; nor should any such, in any place, be ever brought to the house of God, if it can be avoided: yet, rather than a poor mother should be deprived of the ordinances of God, let her come with her child in her arms; and although it be inconvenient to the congregation, and to some ministers, to hear a child cry, it is cruel to exclude the mother on this account, who, having no person to take care of her child while absent, must bring it with her, or be totally deprived of the ordinances of the Christian Church.
Upon the first day of the seventh month.] This was the first day of what was called the civil year; and on it was the feast of trumpets, the year being ushered in by the sound of these instruments.
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 vv2–5 Neh 8:2. Upon the first day of the seventh…
Neh 8:2. Upon the first day of the seventh month — This was the feast of trumpets, which is called a sabbath, and on which they were to have a holy convocation, Lev 23:24. And it was on this day the altar was set up, after their return from captivity; in remembrance of which they had probably kept it ever since, with more than ordinary solemnity.
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 vv2, 4, 5 Upon the first day of the seventh month -…
Upon the first day of the seventh month - The day of the “Feast of Trumpets” (see the margin reference note). The gathering together of the people, spoken of in Neh 8:1, was probably to observe this feast.
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 vv2–5 Women, who were in a separate place. --- Understand,…
Women, who were in a separate place. --- Understand, being come to the use of reason. (Calmet)
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).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv4–5 Ezra . . . stood upon a pulpit of…
Ezra . . . stood upon a pulpit of wood--Not made in the form known to us, but only a raised scaffold or platform, broad enough to allow fourteen persons to stand with ease upon it. Ezra's duty was very laborious, as he continued reading aloud from morning until midday, but his labor was lightened by the aid of the other priests present. Their presence was of importance, partly to show their cordial agreement with Ezra's declaration of divine truth; and partly to take their share with him in the important duty of publicly reading and expounding the Scripture.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv2–6 2. Ezra the priest — He was descended from…
2. Ezra the priest — He was descended from Aaron, and was therefore a priest, as well as a most distinguished scribe. See note on Ezr_7:1.
All that could hear with understanding — More literally, all having understanding to hear; that is, all children and young persons old enough to listen intelligently to the reading and exposition of the law.
Read full note →
The first day of the seventh month — The day for the feast of trumpets.
Lev_23:24. This month bore the names Ethanim and Tisri, and corresponded nearly with our October. It was also the first month of the civil year, so that its first was new year’s day. The tenth of this month was the day of atonement, and on the fifteenth began the feast of tabernacles.
Lev_23:27; Lev_23:34.
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 vv2–6 2. Ezra the priest] cf. Ezr_7:1; Ezr_7:11.
2. Ezra the priest] cf. Ezr_7:1; Ezr_7:11.
the law] i.e. the book of the law. Cf. 2Co_3:14 ‘the old covenant’ for ‘the book of the old covenant.’ The word ‘Torah’ is here used in the sense, which afterwards became universal, of the written ‘Law.’
Read full note →
all that could hear with understanding] lit. ‘every one of intelligence to hear and understand,’ i.e. all except quite children, cf. Neh_10:28 ‘all …, their wives and their sons and their daughters, every one that had knowledge and understanding.’ The Vulgate ‘sapientium’ gives a wrong idea.
upon the first day of the seventh month] In the Priestly Laws the first day of the month Tisri was ‘the Feast of Trumpets’ (see Lev_23:23-25; Num_29:1-6), a day of ‘holy convocation,’ cf. Neh_8:9; see Ezr_3:1.
Were the people assembled to celebrate this festival, or were the people summoned on the first day of the month, because the new-moon days were always regarded as sacred in Palestine? Considering that the people were even uninstructed how to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles according to the Law (Neh_8:13-15), it is not likely that they would have been acquainted with the ‘feast of trumpets’ before the time of the reading of the Law. It is therefore most probable that the special holiness of the day lay in its being the new-moon day of the month in which occurred not only the change of year according to the autumn era but also the most popular of the Israelite festivals, ‘the feast of tabernacles.’ The observance of the new-moon seems to have been universal among Oriental nations in ancient times. Among the Israelites, it was at all times strictly maintained, cf. 1Sa_20:5; 2Ki_4:23; Isa_1:13; Isa_66:23; Eze_26:1; Eze_46:1; Hos_2:11; Amo_8:5; Hag_1:1; Jdt_8:6; Col_2:16.
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 vv2, 3, 4, 6 (2) Both of men and women, and all that…
(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 (Lev_23:24).
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 vv2–6 Ezra the priest brought the law. Ezra, God"s true…
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.
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 v6 And all the people answered, Amen, Amen.
Neh_8:6
And all the people answered, Amen, Amen.
Read full note →
Amen in public worship
The subject is: That it is a lawful and laudable practice for people, in the conclusion of public prayer or praising God, to pronounce an amen.
I. I will explain what is meant by amen.
1. There is an amen substantive. And that is God Himself (Rev_3:14).
2. There is an amen affirmative--a phrase used in the beginning of any momentous truth, as an asseveration (Mat_16:28; Luk_9:27).
3. There is an optative amen--Let it be so (Jer_28:6; 1Ki_1:36; Num_5:22; Deu_27:15-26).
II. Show what warrant there is for the practice.
1. Assent to repetitions is essential unto prayer, and it is not signified publicly but by our amen.
2. We have the practice of the Old and New Testament believers for our example. Moses in Numbers and Deuteronomy; David (Psa_51:18; Psa_106:48); Jeremiah (Jer_11:5); Paul (1Co_14:16; Eph_3:21); Christ Himself (Mat_6:9-18; Rev_5:14; Rev_7:11-12; Rev_19:1-6; Rev_22:20).
3. Amen after prayer and praise is the mans consent, judgment, and approbation of what is offered unto God.
4. This vocal amen is, as it were, the epitome and sum of all our petitions and praises to God. It is the centre which all those lines are drawn towards. It is all the duty virtually reduced to one word and point. It is the repeating and echoing, or redoubling of all over again. As the mercury behind the glass, it reverberates the lively image of all preceding devotion, it is the drawing the arrow to the pile by a strong ejaculation in Bellarmines phrase, Whereby the whole heart is darted up to God. It is a stirring up of ourselves to take hold of God (Isa_64:7). It is taking aim, and directing our prayer to Him and looking up (Psa_5:3), as if they would hand up Gods praises to Him, and stand ready to receive His mercies with open hands and mouths. It winds up all together in one bundle.
5. Amen, rightly pronounced, is an intensive act of faith, or it involves a strong faith.
(1) That God is firm and immutably true in Himself and His Word.
(2) That we will not only believe His truth, but trust to His veracity and build upon it (Jer_11:5). The Jews say amen hath three kernels; the one is of an oath, the second of faith, the third of confidence.
6. The unanimous pronunciation of amen is an assurance that God will accept our praises and answer our prayers (Mat_18:19; Mar_11:23).
7. This unanimous amen of faith strikes terror in the enemies of the Church, whether devils or men. When the Romans had conquered Philip and the Grecians, and Flaminius caused peace to be proclaimed to the Grecians, there was such a shout, says Plutarch, that the very crows and other birds fell down to the ground. Our amens must not drop like a cold bullet of lead out of the mouth of a musket, bowing to the ground; but they must be fired by preparations of the heart and warm affections, they must be discharged and shot off with the utmost vehemency of the soul and fervency of the spirit. When Gods people can unite in one voice, God gives His voice with them and for them. (Thomas Woodcock A. M.)
Amen
St. Jerome tells us it was the custom in his days to close up every prayer with such a unanimous consent that their amen rang and echoed in the church, and sounded like the fall of waters or the noise of thunder. The Chinese have no word which will compare with our English word amen. They say instead: Sin yenen ching sing--The heart wishes exactly so.
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v2 seventh month
seventh month
i.e. October; Neh 8:2; Neh 8:14.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv4, 6 Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah ... Pedaiah,…
Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah ... Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam
These are all names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)
Read full note →
Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people
The abstract noun "sight" can be expressed with the verb "see." AT: "Everyone saw Ezra open the book" (See: Abstract Nouns)
the book
"The Book of the Law"
he was standing above the people
"he was standing higher than the people"
when he opened it all the people stood up
The people stood up out of respect for God's word. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
translationWords
Ezra
scribe
Zechariah (OT)
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 vv2–6 8:2 on October 8: The people came together on…
8:2 on October 8: The people came together on this day to celebrate the Festival of Trumpets (Lev 23:24-25), which marked the beginning of a new year in the postexilic calendar.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.