Nehemiah 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, Proverbs 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 ..

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, Galatians 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, Leviticus 23:24. See Deuteronomy 31:11 .