Nehemiah 8:13
What does Nehemiah 8:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 8:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 8:13 means
On the second day, the community’s leaders—heads of fathers’ houses, priests, and Levites—gather to give attention to the Law. Renewal deepens when leaders study, not only the general assembly. Their desire to understand more shows that the work of the Word continues beyond a single event. As they learn, the entire people will benefit, since leadership shapes practice. This verse highlights a sustainable rhythm: public proclamation, followed by focused training of those responsible for guiding households and worship. The authority of Scripture extends into structures of family and church, promising reforms that will reach daily life, not remain at the level of a festival moment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And on the second day the heads of families of all the people and the priests and the Levites came together to Ezra the scribe, to give attention to the words of the law.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And on the second day have been gathered heads of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to act wisely concerning the words of the law.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And on the second day the chiefs of the families of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered together to Esdras the scribe, that he should interpret to them the words of the law.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And on the second day were gathered together the chief fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, even to gain wisdom as to the words of the law.
Context
After the people’s joyful compliance, the narrative narrows to a smaller group on the next day. Verse 13 sets the stage for a discovery in the Law that will prompt concrete action. The leaders’ study leads directly to the recovery of the Feast of Booths in the verses that follow, demonstrating how attention to Scripture corrects neglect and reorders communal worship.
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.
v.13This passage
v.14And they found written in the law, how that Jehovah had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 2:1
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And lay up my commandments with thee;
- Mark 6:33
And the people saw them going, and many knew them, and they ran together there on foot from all the cities, and outwent them.
- 2 Timothy 2:24
And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,
- Proverbs 8:33
Hear instruction, and be wise, And refuse it not.
- Proverbs 12:1
Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he that hateth reproof is brutish.
- 2 Chronicles 30:23
And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days; and they keptotherseven days with gladness.
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