---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "And = Then.  street = broad or open space. See verses: Nehemiah 8:3 , Nehemiah 8:16 , Neh 8:26 ; Nehemiah 12:30 , Nehemiah 12:37 , Nehemiah 12:40 .  the"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/nehemiah/8"
---

**And** = Then.
**street** = broad or open space. See verses: [Nehemiah 8:3](../../../kjv/nehemiah/8/3) , [Nehemiah 8:16](../../../kjv/nehemiah/8/16) , Neh 8:26 ; [Nehemiah 12:30](../../../kjv/nehemiah/12/30) , [Nehemiah 12:37](../../../kjv/nehemiah/12/37) , [Nehemiah 12:40](../../../kjv/nehemiah/12/40) .
**the water gate.** See notes on [Nehemiah 3:26](../../../kjv/nehemiah/3/26) with [Nehemiah 5:9](../../../kjv/nehemiah/5/9) .
**the book** = scroll. The well-known book ([Deuteronomy 31:10](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/31/10) , [Deuteronomy 31:11](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/31/11) ). See App-47 .
**the LORD.** Hebrew. *Jehovah.* (with *'eth).* App-4 .

**Ezra the priest.** It was the priest's duty at this and at all times to teach the people the Word of God. See note on [Deuteronomy 17:11](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/17/11) ; [Deuteronomy 33:10](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/33/10) ; and compare [Malachi 2:7](../../../kjv/malachi/2/7) .
**congregation** = assembly or muster.
**upon the first day, &c.** This was according to the requirement of [Deuteronomy 31:9-12](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/31/9-12) , every seventh year. Compare [Leviticus 23:23](../../../kjv/leviticus/23/23) - [Nehemiah 2:5](../../../kjv/nehemiah/2/5) ).

**morning** = daylight.
**men.** Hebrew, plural *'enosh* . App-14 .

**pulpit** = high platform. Eng. "pulpit" from Latin. *pulpitum,* a stage of a theatre.
**beside him.** Thirteen priests with him: fourteen in all.
**and.** Some codices, with five early printed editions, omit this "and".

**opened the book** = unrolled the scroll.
**in the sight** = before the eyes.
**stood up.** In token of reverence ([Judges 3:20](../../../kjv/judges/3/20) . [Job 29:8](../../../kjv/job/29/8) , [Job 37:14](../../../kjv/job/37/14) ).

**God.** Hebrew. *Elohim.* (with Art.) = the [true]God. App-4 .
**Amen, Amen.** Figure of speech *Epizeuxis* , emphasizing the great solemnity.
**lifting up.** Hebrew. *mo'al.* Occurs only here. Compare [1 Timothy 2:8](../../../kjv/1-timothy/2/8) .

**read in the book:** i.e. the Hebrew text of the Pentateuch. See App-47 .
**distinctly** = a distinct [reading], i.e. (according to the Talmud) translating and interpreting it in the Chaldee paraphrase.
**and.** Note the Figure of speech *Polysyndeton* ( App-6 ), to emphasize each clause.
**gave the sense:** i.e. divided the sentences, &c, according to sense.
**caused them to understand the reading:** i.e. gave the traditional pronunciation of the words (which were then without the vowel points).

**Nehemiah.** He now uses the third person. This is not necessarily a sign of change of authorship.
**holy.** See note on [Exodus 3:5](../../../kjv/exodus/3/5) .

**is** = it [is].
**joy.** Chaldee. *hedvah.* Occurs only here, [1 Chronicles 16:27](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/16/27) , and [Ezra 6:16](../../../kjv/ezra/6/16) . is = that [is].
**strength** = defence, or refuge.

**chief** = heads.

**found:** i.e. they came to the place where direction was given.
**written.** See note on [Exodus 17:14](../../../kjv/exodus/17/14) , and App-47 .
**children** = sons.
**booths.** Compare Lev 28:39-43 .[Deuteronomy 16:13-15](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/16/13-15) .

**mount** = hill country.
**as it is written.** See [Leviticus 23:42](../../../kjv/leviticus/23/42) .

**and.** Note the Figure of speech *Polysyndeton* ( App-6 ), to mark the minuteness of the obedience.
**one** = man. Hebrew. *'ish.* App-14 .

**Jeshua.** Another spelling of Joshua.
**not . . . done so.** [2 Chronicles 8:13](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/8/13) speaks only of the offerings required by the Law, which Solomon offered. Nothing is said *th* e *r* e of what the People did; so that there is no "discrepancy", as is alleged.
**Israel.** See note on [1 Kings 12:17](../../../kjv/1-kings/12/17) .

**he.** Some codices, with Syriac, read "they".
**assembly** = restraint: i.e. restraint from work.
**manner** = regulation, or ordinance. [Nehemiah 9:1](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/1) [Nehemiah 10:39](../../../kjv/nehemiah/10/39) is parallel with [Ezra 9:1](../../../kjv/ezra/9/1) [Ezra 10:44](../../../kjv/ezra/10/44) .[Ezra 4:1](../../../kjv/ezra/4/1); [Ezra 4:1](../../../kjv/ezra/4/1) [Ezra 8:36](../../../kjv/ezra/8/36) comes between [Nehemiah 8:18](../../../kjv/nehemiah/8/18) with [Nehemiah 9:1](../../../kjv/nehemiah/9/1) . See the Table and Structure on p. 617, notes on p. 618, and App-58 .

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