Nehemiah 8:16
New International Version
So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim.

New Living Translation
So the people went out and cut branches and used them to build shelters on the roofs of their houses, in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God’s Temple, or in the squares just inside the Water Gate and the Ephraim Gate.

English Standard Version
So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim.

Berean Standard Bible
And the people went out, brought back branches, and made booths on their own rooftops, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God, and in the squares by the Water Gate and by the Gate of Ephraim.

King James Bible
So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

New King James Version
Then the people went out and brought them and made themselves booths, each one on the roof of his house, or in their courtyards or the courts of the house of God, and in the open square of the Water Gate and in the open square of the Gate of Ephraim.

New American Standard Bible
So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courtyards and in the courtyards of the house of God, and in the public square at the Water Gate, and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim.

NASB 1995
So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim.

NASB 1977
So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate, and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim.

Amplified Bible
So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on the roof of his house, and in their courtyards and the courtyards of God’s house, and in the open square of the Water Gate and in the square of the Gate of Ephraim.

Christian Standard Bible
The people went out, brought back branches, and made shelters for themselves on each of their rooftops and courtyards, the court of the house of God, the square by the Water Gate, and the square by the Ephraim Gate.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The people went out, brought back branches, and made booths for themselves on each of their rooftops, and courtyards, the court of the house of God, the square by the Water Gate, and the square by the Gate of Ephraim.

American Standard Version
So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.

Contemporary English Version
So the people gathered branches and made shelters on the flat roofs of their houses, in their yards, in the courtyard of the temple, and in the open areas around the Water Gate and Ephraim Gate.

English Revised Version
So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So the people went to get branches to make booths for themselves. Some made booths on their roofs, others in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God's temple, in the open area by Water Gate, or in the open area at Ephraim Gate.

Good News Translation
So the people got branches and built shelters on the flat roofs of their houses, in their yards, in the Temple courtyard, and in the public squares by the Water Gate and by the Ephraim Gate.

International Standard Version
Then the people went out and found branches to make tents for themselves on the roofs of their houses, in their courtyards, and in the courts of God's Temple, in the plaza near the Water Gate, and in the plaza near the Gate of Ephraim.

Majority Standard Bible
And the people went out, brought back branches, and made booths on their own rooftops, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God, and in the squares by the Water Gate and by the Gate of Ephraim.

NET Bible
So the people went out and brought these things back and constructed temporary shelters for themselves, each on his roof and in his courtyard and in the courtyards of the temple of God and in the plaza of the Water Gate and the plaza of the Ephraim Gate.

New Heart English Bible
So the people went out, and brought them, and made themselves booths, everyone on the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of God's house, and in the broad place of the Water Gate, and in the broad place of the Ephraim Gate.

Webster's Bible Translation
So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water-gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

World English Bible
So the people went out and brought them, and made themselves temporary shelters, everyone on the roof of his house, in their courts, in the courts of God’s house, in the wide place of the water gate, and in the wide place of Ephraim’s gate.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the people go out, and bring in, and make for themselves shelters, each on his roof, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the Water Gate, and in the broad place of the Gate of Ephraim.

Young's Literal Translation
And the people go out, and bring in, and make for themselves booths, each on his roof, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water-gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the people will go forth, and will bring and make for themselves booths, each upon his roof, and in their enclosures, and in the enclosures of the house of God, and in the broad place of the gate of the waters and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the people went forth, and brought. And they made themselves tabernacles every man on the top of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the people went forth and brought. And they made for themselves tabernacles, each one at his own dwelling, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

New American Bible
The people went out and brought in branches with which they made booths for themselves, on the roof of their houses, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God, and in the squares of the Water Gate and the Gate of Ephraim.

New Revised Standard Version
So the people went out and brought them, and made booths for themselves, each on the roofs of their houses, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So the people went forth and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house and in their courts and in the court of the house of the LORD and in the street of the water gate and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the people went out, and they brought and they made for themselves, each man on his roof and in their courts and in the court of the house of LORD JEHOVAH and in the street of the Gate of Waters and in the street of the Gate of Ephraim.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the people went forth, and brought them, and made booths for themselves, each one upon his roof, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the streets of the city, and as far as the gate of Ephraim.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Feast of Tabernacles
15So they proclaimed this message and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” 16And the people went out, brought back branches, and made booths on their own rooftops, in their courtyards, in the court of the house of God, and in the squares by the Water Gate and by the Gate of Ephraim. 17The whole assembly who had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated like this. And there was great rejoicing.…

Cross References
Leviticus 23:39-43
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to celebrate a feast to the LORD for seven days. There shall be complete rest on the first day and also on the eighth day. / On the first day you are to gather the fruit of majestic trees, the branches of palm trees, and the boughs of leafy trees and of willows of the brook. And you are to rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. / You are to celebrate this as a feast to the LORD for seven days each year. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come; you are to celebrate it in the seventh month. ...

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.

Ezra 3:4
They also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in accordance with what is written, and they offered burnt offerings daily based on the number prescribed for each day.

Zechariah 14:16-19
Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. / And should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, then the rain will not fall on them. / And if the people of Egypt will not go up and enter in, then the rain will not fall on them; this will be the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. ...

2 Chronicles 8:13
He observed the daily requirement for offerings according to the commandment of Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons, and the three annual appointed feasts—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

1 Kings 8:2
And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim.

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.

Numbers 29:12-38
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days. / As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a food offering, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, / along with the grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil with each of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths of an ephah with each of the two rams, ...

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

John 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” / He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Matthew 17:4
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

Acts 2:46
With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,

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

Hebrews 11:9
By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.

Revelation 7:9-10
After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. / And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”


Treasury of Scripture

So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one on the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

the roof

Deuteronomy 22:8
When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.

2 Samuel 11:2
And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

Jeremiah 19:13
And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

the courts

2 Chronicles 20:5
And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,

2 Chronicles 33:5
And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

the street of the water gate

Nehemiah 8:3
And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

Nehemiah 3:26
Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.

Nehemiah 12:37
And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.

gate of Ephraim

Nehemiah 12:37,39
And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward…

2 Kings 14:13
And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

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Booths Branches Broad Courts Ephraim E'phraim Forth Gate House Roof Square Street Themselves Water Water-Gate
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Booths Branches Broad Courts Ephraim E'phraim Forth Gate House Roof Square Street Themselves Water Water-Gate
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














And the people went out
This phrase signifies the collective action and obedience of the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "went out" is "yatsa," which often implies a purposeful departure. Historically, this reflects the communal spirit and unity among the Israelites as they responded to the reading of the Law. It underscores the importance of community in worship and obedience to God's commands.

and brought back branches
The act of gathering branches is rooted in the commandment found in Leviticus 23:40, where the Israelites are instructed to gather specific types of branches for the Feast of Tabernacles. The Hebrew word for "branches" is "anaf," which can refer to boughs or foliage. This action symbolizes the people's willingness to adhere to God's instructions and their desire to reconnect with their heritage and traditions.

and made booths for themselves
The construction of booths, or "sukkot" in Hebrew, is a direct fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, a time to remember the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. The booths are temporary structures, symbolizing the transient nature of life and the reliance on God's provision. This act of making booths is a physical manifestation of faith and obedience, reminding the people of God's past faithfulness and their dependence on Him.

on their own roofs
In ancient Israel, flat roofs were common and often used as additional living space. Building booths on their roofs indicates personal commitment and individual participation in the communal celebration. It highlights the integration of faith into daily life, as each family takes responsibility for their own observance of the feast.

in their courtyards
Courtyards were central spaces in homes and communities, often used for gatherings and activities. Constructing booths in courtyards emphasizes the communal aspect of the celebration, as families and neighbors come together to observe the feast. It reflects the importance of community in worship and the shared experience of God's people.

in the courts of the house of God
The courts of the temple were sacred spaces designated for worship and religious activities. Building booths here signifies the centrality of God in the celebration and the acknowledgment of His presence among His people. It underscores the connection between the physical act of building booths and the spiritual act of worship.

in the square by the Water Gate
The Water Gate was one of the gates of Jerusalem, likely located near a water source. The square by the Water Gate would have been a public space, accessible to many. Constructing booths here indicates the openness and inclusivity of the celebration, inviting all to participate in the remembrance of God's provision.

and in the square by the Gate of Ephraim
The Gate of Ephraim was another significant location in Jerusalem, named after one of the tribes of Israel. Building booths in this square highlights the unity of the tribes and the collective identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people. It serves as a reminder of their shared history and covenant with God.

(16) And in their courts.--Not only on the roofs, but in the internal courtyards.

Of the house of God.--The ministers of the Temple made these; and strangers to Jerusalem made them in the streets or open spaces near the gates.

Verse 16. - The flat roofs of Oriental houses, and the court round which they were commonly built, furnished convenient sites for the booths, and would be preferred by the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The incomers from the country districts (ver. 15) would have to occupy the open places or "squares" of the city, and the temple courts, which would accommodate large numbers. On the street of the water gate see the comment on ver. 1. The street of the gate of Ephraim was probably a similar square, inside the great northern gateway.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the people
הָעָם֮ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

went out,
וַיֵּצְא֣וּ (way·yê·ṣə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

brought back [branches],
וַיָּבִיאוּ֒ (way·yā·ḇî·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

and made
וַיַּעֲשׂוּ֩ (way·ya·‘ă·śū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

booths
סֻכּ֜וֹת (suk·kō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5521: A thicket, booth

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

their own
אִ֤ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

rooftops,
גַּגּוֹ֙ (gag·gōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1406: A roof, the top of an altar

in their courtyards,
וּבְחַצְרֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם (ū·ḇə·ḥaṣ·rō·ṯê·hem)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2691: A yard, a hamlet

in the court
וּבְחַצְר֖וֹת (ū·ḇə·ḥaṣ·rō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 2691: A yard, a hamlet

of the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of God,
הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and in the squares
וּבִרְחוֹב֙ (ū·ḇir·ḥō·wḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7339: A broad open place, plaza

by the Water
הַמַּ֔יִם (ham·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

Gate
שַׁ֣עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

[and]
וּבִרְח֖וֹב (ū·ḇir·ḥō·wḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7339: A broad open place, plaza

by the Gate
שַׁ֥עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of Ephraim.
אֶפְרָֽיִם׃ (’ep̄·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory


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OT History: Nehemiah 8:16 So the people went forth and brought (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 8:15
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