And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers’housesof all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law.
And on the second day were gathered together,.... The second day of the month, and of the new year, the day after the feast of blowing of trumpets, and after the law had been read and explained: the chief of the fathers of all the people: heads of tribes and families: the priests and the Levites; who, though they were instructors of others, needed to...
We have here, I. The people's renewed attendance upon the word. They had spent the greatest part of one day in praying and hearing, and yet were so far from being weary of that new moon and sabbath that the next day after, though it was no festival, the chief of them came together again to hear Ezra expound (Neh 8:13), which they found more...
Commenting on Nehemiah 8:13-18
The law's denunciations brought penitential sorrow for their national sins. But they were commanded to cherish joy and thanks suited to a sacred festival. By sharing portions with the poor, they let their poorer brothers participate in the public rejoicing too.
AI summary
Commenting on Nehemiah 8:9-15