Nehemiah 8:5
What does Nehemiah 8:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 8:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 8:5 means
When Ezra opens the book in full view, the people rise. Their standing is an instinctive act of honor, acknowledging the authority of the Law above every other word. Ezra’s elevation ensures visibility; the point is not to exalt a man but to make the Scripture central. Reverence is not empty ritual: posture expresses belief. The gathered assembly recognizes that God is addressing them, and they answer by standing ready to listen and obey. This simple, unified act signals that the community’s life will be measured by this book. It is a decisive moment: the people who rebuilt walls now consent to be rebuilt by the Word.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Ezra took the book, opening it before the eyes of all the people (for he was higher than the people); and when it was open, all the people got to their feet:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Ezra openeth the book before the eyes of all the people--for above all the people he hath been--and at his opening <FI>it<Fi> all the people have stood up,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Esdras opened the book before all the people: for he was above all the people: and when he had opened it, all the people stood.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And 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.
Context
The narrative moves from preparation to response. After identifying the platform and companions, verse 5 records the dramatic opening of the book and the people’s respectful standing. This respect leads immediately into explicit worship—Ezra’s blessing of Jehovah and the people’s loud, humble agreement in the next verse. The flow shows reverence growing into praise and submission before instruction is given.
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.
v.5This passage
v.6And Ezra blessed Jehovah, the great God; and all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped Jehovah with their faces to the ground.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 8:14
And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the assembly of Israel: and all the assembly of Israel stood.
- 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.
- Judges 3:20
And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.
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