Nehemiah 8:13
New International Version
On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law.

New Living Translation
On October 9 the family leaders of all the people, together with the priests and Levites, met with Ezra the scribe to go over the Law in greater detail.

English Standard Version
On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law.

Berean Standard Bible
On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to study the words of the Law.

King James Bible
And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.

New King James Version
Now on the second day the heads of the fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law.

New American Standard Bible
Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe so that they might gain insight into the words of the Law.

NASB 1995
Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law.

NASB 1977
Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law.

Amplified Bible
On the second day, all of the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, were gathered before Ezra the scribe to gain insight into the words of the Law (divine instruction).

Christian Standard Bible
On the second day, the family heads of all the people, along with the priests and Levites, assembled before the scribe Ezra to study the words of the law.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
On the second day, the family leaders of all the people, along with the priests and Levites, assembled before Ezra the scribe to study the words of the law.

American Standard Version
And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law.

Contemporary English Version
On the second day of the seventh month, the leaders of all the family groups came together with the priests and the Levites, so Ezra could teach them the Law

English Revised Version
And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
On the second day the leaders of the families of all the people, including the priests and the Levites, met with Ezra the scribe to study the words of God's Teachings.

Good News Translation
The next day the heads of the clans, together with the priests and the Levites, went to Ezra to study the teachings of the Law.

International Standard Version
The next day, the heads of the families of all the people were gathered together, along with the priests and the descendants of Levi, to meet with Ezra the scribe in order to understand the words of the Law.

Majority Standard Bible
On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to study the words of the Law.

NET Bible
On the second day of the month the family leaders met with Ezra the scribe, together with all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to consider the words of the law.

New Heart English Bible
On the second day were gathered together the heads of ancestral houses of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law.

Webster's Bible Translation
And on the second day were assembled the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.

World English Bible
On the second day, the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered together to Ezra the scribe, to study the words of the law.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And on the second day have been gathered heads of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, even to act wisely concerning the words of the Law.

Young's Literal Translation
And on the second day have been gathered heads of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to act wisely concerning the words of the law.

Smith's Literal Translation
And in the second day were gathered together the heads of the fathers to all the people, the priests, the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, and to understand to the words of the law.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And on the second day the chiefs of the families of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered together to Esdras the scribe, that he should interpret to them the words of the law.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And on the second day, the leaders of the families of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered together to Ezra the scribe, so that he might interpret for them the words of the law.

New American Bible
On the second day, the heads of ancestral houses of the whole people, and also the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to study the words of the law.

New Revised Standard Version
On the second day the heads of ancestral houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to the scribe Ezra in order to study the words of the law.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And on the second day were gathered together the chiefs of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe to understand from him the word of the law.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And in the second day, the Chiefs of the fathers of all the people and the Priests and the Levites were gathered to Azra the Scribe to obey from him all the book of the Law.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the Law.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And on the second day the heads of families assembled with all the people, also the priests and Levites, to Esdras the scribe, to attend to all the words of the law.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Feast of Tabernacles
13On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to study the words of the Law. 14And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:9-13
So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel. / Then Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of remission of debt, during the Feast of Tabernacles, / when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. ...

Leviticus 23:33-43
And the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Feast of Tabernacles to the LORD begins, and it continues for seven days. / On the first day there shall be a sacred assembly. You must not do any regular work. ...

Ezra 3:1-4
By the seventh month, the Israelites had settled in their towns, and the people assembled as one man in Jerusalem. / Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. / They set up the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD—both the morning and evening burnt offerings—even though they feared the people of the land. ...

2 Chronicles 17:7-9
In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah, / accompanied by certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah—along with the priests Elishama and Jehoram. / They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.

Deuteronomy 16:13-15
You are to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. / And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. / For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete.

2 Kings 23:1-3
Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. / And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people small and great—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. / So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.

Exodus 23:16
You are also to keep the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field. And keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field.

2 Chronicles 34:29-33
Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. / And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites—all the people great and small—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. / So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. ...

Leviticus 23:4
These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times.

Deuteronomy 31:10-12
Then Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of remission of debt, during the Feast of Tabernacles, / when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. / Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law.

Matthew 5:17-19
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. / So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

John 7:2
However, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near.

Acts 15:21
For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

Luke 4:16-21
Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read, / the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written: / “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, ...

Acts 13:15
After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.”


Treasury of Scripture

And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.

the second

2 Chronicles 30:23
And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.

Proverbs 2:1-6
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; …

Proverbs 8:33,34
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not…

to understand the words of the law.

Nehemiah 8:7,8
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place…

Luke 24:32
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

2 Timothy 2:24,25
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, …

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Assembled Attention Chief Ezra Families Fathers Gain Gathered Heads Houses Levites Month Order Priests Scribe Second Study Together Understand Words
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Assembled Attention Chief Ezra Families Fathers Gain Gathered Heads Houses Levites Month Order Priests Scribe Second Study Together Understand Words
Nehemiah 8
1. The reverent manner of reading and hearing the law
9. They comfort the people
13. The eagerness of the people to hear and be instructed
16. They keep the feast of tabernacles














On the second day
This phrase indicates the continuation of a significant event that began the previous day. The first day was marked by the public reading of the Law, which was a momentous occasion for the Israelites. The "second day" signifies a deepening commitment to understanding God's Word. Historically, this reflects the Jewish practice of sustained study and reflection, emphasizing the importance of ongoing engagement with Scripture.

the heads of the families
The involvement of family leaders underscores the communal and familial responsibility in spiritual matters. In ancient Israel, the family was the primary unit of society, and the heads of families were responsible for the spiritual well-being of their households. This gathering highlights the patriarchal structure of the society and the role of family leaders in guiding their families in faith.

along with the priests and Levites
The priests and Levites were the religious leaders and teachers of the Law. Their presence indicates the importance of having knowledgeable guides in the study of Scripture. The Levites, in particular, were tasked with teaching the Law to the people (Deuteronomy 33:10). This collaboration between family heads and religious leaders illustrates the unity and shared responsibility in understanding and applying God's Word.

gathered around Ezra the scribe
Ezra, a scribe and priest, was a central figure in the restoration of the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile. His role as a scribe involved not only copying the Scriptures but also teaching and interpreting them. Gathering around Ezra signifies a recognition of his authority and expertise in the Law. This reflects the high regard for those who are well-versed in Scripture and can provide sound teaching.

to study the words of the Law
The focus on studying the Law indicates a desire for deeper understanding and application of God's commandments. The Hebrew word for "study" implies seeking, inquiring, and diligently examining. This reflects a proactive approach to learning, where the goal is not just knowledge but transformation. The "words of the Law" refer to the Torah, the foundational text for Jewish life and faith, emphasizing the centrality of Scripture in guiding the community.

(13-18) The Feast of Tabernacles.

(13) The chief of the fathers.--Not the vast multitude now, as the great feast was not yet.

Even to understand.--To consider, or give attention to: that is, to learn the full meaning of the almost forgotten festival. The dwelling in booths had fallen into disuse.

Verse 13. - And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers. At times it is true that "increase of appetite doth grow by what it feeds on." Once let the sweetness of the Divine word be tasted and appreciated, and there springs up in the heart instantly a desire for more - a wish to continue in the study - a feeling like that of the Psalmist when he said, "Lord, what love have I unto thy law: all the day long is my study in it" (Psalm 119:97). The Jews, taught by Ezra in the law of God on the first day of the month, return to him on the second, desirous of hearing more, hungering and thirsting after the word of life, of which they have felt the power and the excellency. To understand. Rather, "to consider," as in Psalm 41:1.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
On the second
הַשֵּׁנִ֡י (haš·šê·nî)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)

day [of the month],
וּבַיּ֣וֹם (ū·ḇay·yō·wm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

the heads
רָאשֵׁ֨י (rā·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the families,
הָאָב֜וֹת (hā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

along with the priests
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

and Levites,
וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם (wə·hal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

gathered
נֶאֶסְפוּ֩ (ne·’es·p̄ū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

around
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Ezra
עֶזְרָ֖א (‘ez·rā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5830: Ezra -- 'help', three Israelites

the scribe
הַסֹּפֵ֑ר (has·sō·p̄êr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

to study
וּלְהַשְׂכִּ֖יל (ū·lə·haś·kîl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

the words
דִּבְרֵ֥י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the Law.
הַתּוֹרָֽה׃ (hat·tō·w·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law


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OT History: Nehemiah 8:13 On the second day were gathered together (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 8:12
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