New King James Version
Nehemiah 8:3
3Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
Nehemiah 8:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And 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.
- New International Version (NIV)He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
- New Living Translation (NLT)He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.
Context of Nehemiah 8:3
1Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 4So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
Read all of Nehemiah 8Nehemiah 8:3 word by word
וַיִּקְרָא־בוֹ֩ לִפְנֵ֨י הָרְח֜וֹב אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀ לִפְנֵ֣י שַֽׁעַר־הַמַּ֗יִם מִן־הָאוֹר֙ עַד־מַחֲצִ֣ית הַיּ֔וֹם נֶ֛גֶד הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים וְהַנָּשִׁ֖ים וְהַמְּבִינִ֑ים וְאָזְנֵ֥י כָל־הָעָ֖ם אֶל־סֵ֥פֶר הַתּוֹרָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And he readקָרָאqârâ' · to call: read outH7121
- therein beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
- the streetרְחוֹבrechôb rechôb · street/plazaH7339
- the waterמַיmayim · Water (Gate)H4325
- gateשַׁ֫עַרsha‛ar · gateH8179
- from the morningאוֹר'ôr · lightH216
- until middayיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
- until middayמַחֲצִיתmachătsîyth · halfH4276
- before the menאֱנוֹשׁ'ĕnôsh · humanH582
- and the womenאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · womanH802
- and those that could understandבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
- and the earsאֹ֫זֶן'ôzen · earH241
- of all the peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
- unto the bookסֵ֫פֶרsêpher siphrâh · scroll: bookH5612
- of the lawתּוֹרָהtôrâh tôrâh · instructionH8451
Cross-references for Nehemiah 8:3
- Luke 4:16So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
- Acts 13:15And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
- Acts 15:21For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
- Acts 20:7Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
- Acts 28:23So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
- Matthew 7:28And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,
- Mark 12:37Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?” And the common people heard Him gladly.
- Luke 8:18Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”
- Luke 19:48and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.
- Acts 16:14Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
- Acts 17:11These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
- Hebrews 2:1Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
- Revelation 2:29“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
- Revelation 3:22“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
Commentaries on Nehemiah 8:3
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3The time from early morning until noon allowed about six hours for reading and interpreting (Nehemiah 8:7–8). understand (see also Nehemiah 8:2, 8, 12): This was more than a ritual reading of the law. It included explanations, insights, and applications.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-81. all the people gathered themselves together as one man--The occasion was the celebration of the feast of the seventh month (Ne 7:73). The beginning of every month was ushered in as a sacred festival; but this, the commencement of the seventh month, was kept with distinguished honor as "the feast of trumpets," which extended over two days. It was the first day of the seventh ecclesiastical year, and the new year's day of the Jewish civil year, on which…Read the comment
Topics related to Nehemiah 8:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Nehemiah 8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries