Nehemiah 8:12
What does Nehemiah 8:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 8:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 8:12 means
The people obey promptly and practically. They go to eat and drink, send portions to those lacking, and make “great mirth.” Their joy rests on understanding: “because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.” This is key. Mere emotion is fleeting, but joy grounded in God’s Word endures and shares. Comprehension produces confidence and generosity; the community feasts as one, not forgetting the poor. The transformation is evident: those who were weeping are now rejoicing in step with God’s design for the day. This is the fruit of faithful reading and clear teaching—lives and relationships reshaped by truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And all the people went away to take food and drink, and to send food to others, and to be glad, because the words which were said to them had been made clear.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And all the people go to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great joy, because they have understood concerning the words that they made known to them.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752So all the people went to eat and drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth: because they understood the words that he had taught them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And all the people went their way, to eat and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great rejoicing. For they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Context
Following the leaders’ guidance, verse 12 shows the outcome: obedience marked by generosity and joy. The reason is highlighted—understanding—tying back to the earlier emphasis on clear teaching. With the holy day honored, the narrative will now turn to the second day, when leaders gather for deeper study, leading to a recovered observance of the Feast of Booths that had long been neglected.
v.11So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
v.12This passage
v.13And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers’housesof all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 119:111
Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
- Jeremiah 15:16
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy words were unto me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy name, O Jehovah, God of hosts.
- Psalms 119:72
The law of thy mouth is better unto me Than thousands of gold and silver. י YODH.
- Romans 7:18
For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not.
- Psalms 119:14
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.
- Psalms 19:8
The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes.
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