All the assembly of those who had come again out of the captivity made booths, and lived in the booths; for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the children of Israel had not done so. There was very great gladness.
Neh 8:13-18 Celebration of the feast of tabernacles. - Neh 8:13 On the second day were gathered together the heads of the houses of all the people, of the priests, and of the Levites to Ezra the scribe, to attend to the words of the law.
Commenting on Nehemiah 8:13-18
THEY KEEP THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. (Neh 8:16-18) the people went forth, and brought . . . and made themselves booths, &c.--(See on Lev 23:34; Deu 16:13).
Commenting on Nehemiah 8:16-18
since the days of Jeshua . . . had not the children of Israel done so--This national feast had not been neglected for so protracted a period. Besides that it is impossible that such a flagrant disregard of the law could have been tolerated by Samuel, David, and other pious rulers, its observance is sufficiently indicated (Kg1 8:2, Kg1 8:65; Ch2 7:9) and expressly recorded (Ezr 3:4).