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Nehemiah 8:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 8:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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.
Nehemiah 8:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Jehovah had commanded to Israel.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
← Nehemiah 8:2Nehemiah 8:4 →
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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 he read therein, etc.] Some passages in it, here and there, which it was necessary the people should have knowledge of; for it can hardly be thought be began and read on just in the order in which it was: this he did before the street; at the top of it, at one end of it: that was before the water gate; which looked directly to that: from the morning until midday; from the rising of the sun to noon, so that he must read six hours; but very probably was relieved at times by the men with him, after mentioned: before the men and the women, and those that could understand; (see Nehemiah 8:2), <160802> and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law; to the hearing of it…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:3 The timeframe from early morning until noon provided about six hours for reading and interpreting (8:7-8). • understand (see also 8:2, 8, 12): This was not just a ritual reading of the law. It included explanations, insight, and application.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he read: Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15, Act 13:27, Act 15:21 morning: Heb. light, Act 20:7, Act 20:11, Act 28:23 ears: Mat 7:28, Mat 7:29; Mar 12:37; Luk 8:18, Luk 19:48; Act 16:14, Act 17:11; Th1 2:13; Heb 2:1-3; Rev 2:29, Rev 3:22 Nehemiah 8:4”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification