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Nehemiah 8:5

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 8:5 say?

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

The verse

And 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:
Nehemiah 8:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
7Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people [stood] in their place.
8And they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
← Nehemiah 8:4Nehemiah 8:6 →
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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 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people), etc.] So plainly seen by them, and what he did, and the more easily heard, for which purpose the pulpit was made for him to stand in: and, when he opened it, all the people stood up; that they might the better hear the law read, as well as in honour and reverence of it; the Jews say f50, that from the times of Moses to Rabban Gamaliel, they learned the law only standing; but after his death a disease came into the world, and they learned it sitting; and now it is a canon with them, that it is not necessary to stand at the reading of the law f51.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“when he opened it, all the people stood up--This attitude they assumed either from respect to God's word, or, rather, because the reading was prefaced by a solemn prayer, which was concluded by a general expression of "Amen, Amen."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Stood up - The attitude of attention and respect. Compare the existing practice of the Christian Church at the reading of the Gospel for the day. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:5 The people all rose to their feet out of respect for God’s word (Job 29:8). Apparently, they stood the whole time Ezra was reading.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“opened: Luk 4:16, Luk 4:17 sight: Heb. eyes stood up: Jdg 3:20; Kg1 8:14 Nehemiah 8:6”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification