Nehemiah 8:6

the great God cf. Nehemiah 9:32; Ezra 5:8. In Nehemiah's own writing it occurs Nehemiah 1:5.

Amen, Amen The people's response: see note on Nehemiah 5:13; cf. 1 Chronicles 16:36.

with lifting up their hands See note on Ezra 9:5. Cf. Psalms 134:2, -Lift up your hands to the sanctuary (Marg. Or, in holiness) and bless ye the Lord." 2Ma 14:34.

worshipped the Lordwith their faces to the ground The phrase -with the face to the earth," occurs very generally of reverence without the idea of worship; cf. Genesis 19:1; Genesis 42:6; Gen 48:12; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 24:8; 1 Chronicles 21:21. But it is also used of worship before God, as in Numbers 22:31; 2Ch 7:3; 2 Chronicles 20:18; and compare the expression -let us worship and bow down," Psalms 95:6; Job 1:20. After this united act of worship they resumed their attitude of attention (Nehemiah 8:3).