Nehemiah 8:2
What does Nehemiah 8:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 8:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 8:2 means
Ezra appears not only as scribe but as “priest,” bringing the Law before a broad audience: men, women, and any who could understand. The first day of the seventh month was a sacred day in Israel’s calendar, a fitting time to renew covenant allegiance. The emphasis on “all that could hear with understanding” highlights God’s intent that His people know, not merely hear, His Word. This was not an elite, closed reading, but a congregational encounter. By naming the day and the participants, the verse frames the event as an act of worship and accountability, reminding the people that the God who commands also graciously speaks to all who can receive.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Ezra the priest put the law before the meeting of the people, before the men and women and all those who were able to take it in, on the first day of the seventh month.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Ezra the priest bringeth the law before the assembly, both of men and women, and every one intelligent to hear, on the first day of the seventh month,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then Esdras the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those that could understand, in the first day of the seventh month.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation, both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.
Context
Following the people’s request, verse 2 marks a formal beginning: Ezra brings the Law to a diverse, understanding audience on a holy day. This anchors the gathering in Israel’s liturgical rhythm and signals that what happens next carries covenant weight. The subsequent verses will describe the lengthy public reading, the arrangements made so all can see and hear, and the people’s reverent response, leading to worship, instruction, conviction, and, ultimately, celebration.
v.1And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Jehovah had commanded to Israel.
v.2This passage
v.3And he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 17:7
Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;
- Malachi 2:7
For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Jehovah of hosts.
- Leviticus 23:24
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest unto you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.
- Isaiah 28:9
Whom will he teach knowledge? and whom will he make to understand the message? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts?
- Deuteronomy 31:9
And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and unto all the elders of Israel.
- Numbers 29:1
And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing of trumpets unto you.
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