Nehemiah 8:10
What does Nehemiah 8:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 8:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 8:10 means
The leaders direct the people to celebrate: “eat the fat, and drink the sweet,” and share with those who have nothing prepared. Holiness expresses itself in joy and generosity, not self-absorption. The reason given is theological: “for this day is holy unto our Lord,” and “the joy of Jehovah is your strength.” Strength comes not from denying sin but from delighting in God’s steadfast favor. Joy in Him fortifies obedience and binds the community together through practical care for the needy. The movement from weeping to feasting reflects covenant realities: conviction leads to comfort, and comfort fuels charity. True renewal produces both glad hearts and open hands.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then he said to them, Go away now, and take the fat for your food and the sweet for your drink, and send some to him for whom nothing is made ready: for this day is holy to our Lord: and let there be no grief in your hearts; for the joy of the Lord is your strong place.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he saith to them, `Go, eat fat things, and drink sweet things, and sent portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for to-day <FI>is<Fi> holy to our Lord, and be not grieved, for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he said to them: Go, eat fat meats, and drink sweet wine, and send portions to them that have not prepared for themselves: because it is the holy day of the Lord, and be not sad: for the joy of the Lord is our strength.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared; for the day is holy to our Lord; and be not grieved, for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.
Context
Picking up from the prohibition of mourning, verse 10 provides positive instruction: celebrate and share because the day is holy and God’s joy strengthens His people. This reframes the assembly’s emotions and actions. The subsequent verse will echo the call to peace, and then the narrative will show the people obeying with great gladness, demonstrating that understanding leads to joyful, generous obedience.
v.9And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto Jehovah your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
v.10This passage
v.11So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 28:7
Jehovah is my strength and my shield; My heart hath trusted in him, and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; And with my song will I praise him.
- Esther 9:22
as the days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
- Isaiah 6:7
and he touched my mouth with it, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin forgiven.
- 1 Timothy 6:17
Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
- Isaiah 12:1
And in that day thou shalt say, I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah; for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away and thou comfortest me.
- Ecclesiastes 9:7
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works.
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