Nehemiah 8:3
What does Nehemiah 8:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 8:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 8:3 means
The Law is read publicly for hours, from early morning until midday. Such sustained attention shows both Ezra’s diligence and the people’s eagerness. God’s Word is not rushed; it is given space to work on minds and hearts. The note that “the ears of all the people were attentive” reveals a readiness to receive and be shaped by Scripture. This gathering is not a spectacle but a serious act of listening. The scene corrects any idea that renewal is driven by emotion alone; rather, it is grounded in clear proclamation. As the Law is heard, consciences awaken, preparing the way for both sorrow over sin and joy in God’s mercy that will soon follow.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He was reading it in the wide place in front of the water-doorway, from early morning till the middle of the day, in the hearing of all those men and women whose minds were able to take it in; and the ears of all the people were open to the book of the law.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he readeth in it before the broad place that <FI>is<Fi> before the water-gate, from the light till the middle of the day, over-against the men, and the women, and those intelligent, and the ears of all the people <FI>are<Fi> unto the book of the law.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he read it plainly in the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before the men, and the women, and all those that could understand: and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he read in it before the open place that was before the water-gate from the morning until midday, in presence of the men and the women, and those that could understand. And the ears of all the people were [attentive] to the book of the law.
Context
Having established who is present and when, the narrative now focuses on what they did: they listened for a long span to the public reading. This sets up the logistical details in the next verses that explain how such a large assembly could see and hear Ezra and how leaders stood with him. The flow moves from hearing to honoring to worshiping, then to explanation so that understanding accompanies the reading.
v.2And 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.
v.3This passage
v.4And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 2:29
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
- Luke 19:48
and they could not find what they might do; for the people all hung upon him, listening.
- Acts 17:11
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.
- Matthew 7:28
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching:
- Luke 4:16
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read.
- Revelation 3:22
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
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