Nehemiah 8:11
What does Nehemiah 8:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 8:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 8:11 means
The Levites “stilled all the people,” urging quiet hearts: “Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.” Their ministry is pastoral and practical. They do not scold sorrow but guide it, so the congregation’s response matches the sacredness of the occasion. Peace here is not apathy but a settled trust that God’s holiness is good news for His people. The repeated emphasis—holy day, do not grieve—shows how easily tender consciences can tip into despair. Skilled shepherds help God’s people move from conviction to confidence, ensuring that the Word yields not paralysis but worship, fellowship, and obedient celebration.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So the Levites made all the people quiet, saying, Be quiet, for the day is holy; and do not give way to grief.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the Levites are keeping all the people silent, saying, `Be silent, for to-day <FI>is<Fi> holy, and be not grieved.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Levites stilled all the people, saying: Hold your peace, for the day is holy, and be not sorrowful.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, Be still! for the day is holy; neither be grieved.
Context
After instructing the people to rejoice and share, the leaders continue to calm the assembly. Verse 11 reinforces the earlier direction, preparing the way for the people’s obedient response. The flow moves from command to compliance: the next verse will show them celebrating with “great mirth” because understanding brought clarity, comfort, and purpose to their observance.
v.10Then 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.
v.11This passage
v.12And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 13:30
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
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