Nehemiah 8:4
What does Nehemiah 8:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 8:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 8:4 means
Ezra stands on a wooden platform made for the occasion, surrounded by named leaders. The platform is practical—so his voice carries—and symbolic—elevating God’s Word before all. The list of companions shows the work is not solitary. Public affirmation by recognized men lends weight and accountability to the ministry of the Word. These names, preserved in Scripture, remind us that renewal is communal and ordered. The scene honors not Ezra’s personality but the office and message he bears. By arranging themselves visibly at his right and left, these leaders testify that what is read is binding truth for the whole people, not a private opinion or factional agenda.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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 Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Ezra the scribe took his place on a tower of wood which they had made for the purpose; and by his side were placed Mattithiah and Shema and Anaiah and Uriah and Hilkiah and Maaseiah on the right; and on the left, Pedaiah and Mishael and Malchijah and Hashum and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Ezra the scribe standeth on a tower of wood that they made for the purpose, and Mattithiah standeth near him, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right; and on his left Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddana, Zechariah, Meshullam.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Esdras the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made to speak upon, and there stood by him Mathathias, and Semeia, and Ania, and Uria, and Helcia, and Maasia, on his right hand: and on the left, Phadaia, Misael, and Melchia, and Hasum, and Hasbadana, Zacharia and Mosollam.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Ezra the scribe stood upon a high stage of wood, which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkijah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddana, Zechariah, Meshullam.
Context
After describing the people’s attentive listening, the account notes the provision of a proper setting for the reading. The platform and the presence of associates prepare for a solemn, communal act. Next, the crowd’s reverent posture at the opening of the book and Ezra’s blessing of Jehovah will demonstrate the people’s respect for God’s authority, moving from logistics to worshipful response.
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.
v.4This passage
v.5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people); and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 11:5
and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite.
- Nehemiah 10:25
Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
- Nehemiah 11:7
And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah.
- Ezra 10:29
And of the sons of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, Jeremoth.
- Nehemiah 10:3
Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,
- Ezra 10:33
Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei.
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