Nehemiah 8:14
What does Nehemiah 8:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 8:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 8:14 means
In their study, they “found written in the law” that Jehovah commanded Israel, through Moses, to dwell in booths during the seventh month’s feast. The implication is that this command had been overlooked or kept in a diminished way. Scripture confronts forgetfulness with plain instruction. The leaders do not debate God’s will; they receive it. The feast called Israel to remember God’s faithfulness in the wilderness by living in temporary shelters. Recovering this practice fits their context perfectly: a restored people remembering past deliverance and present provision. The Law, once read and understood, becomes the blueprint for obedient worship that both humbles and delights.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they found written in the law which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they saw that it was recorded in the law that the Lord had given orders by Moses, that the children of Israel were to have tents for their living-places in the feast of the seventh month:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And they find written in the law that Jehovah commanded by the hand of Moses, that the sons of Israel dwell in booths in the feast, in the seventh month,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they found written in the law, that the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in tabernacles, on the feast, in the seventh month:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they found written in the law which Jehovah had commanded through Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month,
Context
Continuing from the leaders’ gathering, verse 14 records their specific finding about the Feast of Booths. This discovery naturally leads to action. The next verse will detail the proclamation to gather branches and build booths as prescribed. The flow underscores that genuine attention to Scripture produces tangible reform, not merely new feelings or ideas.
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.
v.14This passage
v.15and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 16:13
Thou shalt keep the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in from thy threshing-floor and from thy winepress:
- Leviticus 23:40
And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days.
- John 7:2
Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand.
- Leviticus 23:34
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto Jehovah.
- Genesis 33:17
And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him a house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
- Zechariah 14:16
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
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