CHAPTER VIII _Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Levites, read and interpret the laws_ _to the people_, 1-7. _The manner in which they do this important work_, 8. _The effect produced on the people's minds by hearing it_, 9. _The people are exhorted to be glad, and are told that the joy_ _of the Lord is... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 8:2. _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 sho... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 8:4. _STOOD UPON A PULPIT OF WOOD_] מגדל _migdal_, a _tower_, a _platform_, raised up for the purpose, to elevate him sufficiently for the people both to see and hear him; for it is said, Nehemiah 8:5, that _he was above all the people_. This is the first intimation we have of a _pulp... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 8:5. _ALL THE PEOPLE STOOD UP_] This was out of respect to the sacred word: in imitation of this, when the _gospel_ for the day is read in our churches, all the people stand up.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 8:6. _EZRA BLESSED THE LORD_] In imitation of this, we say, when the gospel for the day is commenced, _Glory be to God for his_ _holy Gospel_! and conclude this thanksgiving with, _Amen_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 8:8. _SO THEY READ IN THE BOOK_] For an explanation of this verse, see the observations at the end of the chapter. Nehemiah 8:17, Nehemiah 8:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 8:9. _NEHEMIAH, WHICH IS THE TIRSHATHA_] This puts it out of doubt that, when the _Tirshatha_ is mentioned, _Nehemiah_ himself is intended, _Tirshatha_ being the name of his _office_. _MOURN NOT, NOR WEEP._] This is a holy day to God: a day appointed for _general rejoicing_ in Him wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 8:10. _EAT THE FAT, AND DRINK THE SWEET_] Eat and drink the best that you have; and while ye are feeding yourselves in the fear of the Lord, remember those _who cannot feast_; and send _portions_ to them, that the joy and the thanksgiving may be general. Let the poor have reason to re... [ Continue Reading ]
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 t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _FETCH OLIVE BRANCHES_] For every thing concerning this feast of tabernacles, see the notes on Lev. xxiii., and the other places _there_ referred to.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _UPON THE ROOF OF HIS HOUSE_] It need scarcely be repeated, that the houses in the East are generally built with _flat roofs_. On these they reposed; on these they took the air in the heats of summer; and on these they oftentimes slept.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 8:17. _SINCE THE DAYS OF JOSHUA_] No feast of tabernacles since Joshua's time had been so heartily and so piously celebrated. The story of the _sacred fire_ now discovered, which had been hidden by the order of Jeremiah in a dry well, and now, some of the mud from the bottom being bro... [ Continue Reading ]