Nehemiah 8:5

opened i.e. unrolled, cf. Luke 4:17.

above all the people i.e. raised above them in his pulpit.

all the people stood up We need not conclude from these words that they stood during the whole time that the reading went on. Rather -they rose to their feet," signifying by this gesture their reverence for -the law" that was to be read. After Ezra's blessing and the response (Nehemiah 8:6), they probably resumed their seats. -Standing" was sometimes the posture of prayer denoting humility, cf. 1 Samuel 1:26; 1 Kings 8:22; Luke 18:11; Luke 18:13. In later times it was the attitude adopted during the reading of -the Law" in the service of the Synagogue.