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Nehemiah 8:12

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 8:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
Nehemiah 8:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto Jehovah your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
10Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.
11So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
12And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
13And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers` [houses] of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law.
14And they found written in the law, how that Jehovah had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;
15and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And all the people went their way to eat and to drink, etc.] Freely and cheerfully: and to send portions; to the poor, who had nothing to eat and drink: and to make great mirth; with music, vocal and instrumental: because they had understood the words that were declared unto them; the meaning of the several laws read and explained unto them, whereby they better understood their duty, and in what instances and in what manner it was to be performed; how much more reason is there for joy and gladness, when the Gospel, and the doctrines of it, are clearly known and understood? (<198915>Psalm 89:15,16).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“to send: Neh 8:10 to make: Psa 126:1-3 because: Neh 8:7, Neh 8:8; Job 23:12; Psa 19:8-11, Psa 119:14, Psa 119:16, Psa 119:72, Psa 119:97, Psa 119:103, Psa 119:104, Psa 119:111, Psa 119:127, Psa 119:130, Psa 119:171, Psa 119:174; Pro 2:10, Pro 2:11, Pro 24:13, Pro 24:14; Jer 15:16; Luk 24:32; Rom 7:18 Nehemiah 8:13”
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Related study paths

Read Nehemiah 8 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification