Verse (Click for Chapter) 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. Berean Literal Bible And the people went out and brought them in and made for themselves booths, each man on his roof, and in their courtyards, and in the courtyards of the house of God, and in the open square of the Water Gate, and in the open square of 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. Berean Annotated 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 {Elohim}, and in the squares by the Water Gate and by the Gate of Ephraim (doubly fruitful). 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. 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd 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. 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 VersionAnd 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. Berean Literal Bible And the people went out and brought them in and made for themselves booths, each man on his roof, and in their courtyards, and in the courtyards of the house of God, and in the open square of the Water Gate, and in the open square 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 BibleAnd 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 BibleSo 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 1917So 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 And the people went out, 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. Deuteronomy 31:10-13 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. … brought back branches, Leviticus 23:40 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. Zechariah 14:16 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 made booths Leviticus 23:42-43 You are to dwell in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must dwell in booths, / so that your descendants may know that I made the Israelites dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’” 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. on their own rooftops, Jeremiah 19:13 The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.” Zephaniah 1:5 those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom, Joshua 2:6 (But Rahab had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax that she had laid out there.) in their courtyards, 2 Samuel 17:18 But a young man did see them and told Absalom. So the two left quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 1 Kings 8:64-66 On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings. / So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all. / On the fifteenth day Solomon sent the people away. So they blessed the king and went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things that the LORD had done for His servant David and for His people Israel. in the courts of the house of God, 2 Chronicles 29:16-17 So the priests went inside the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and they brought out to the courtyard all the unclean things that they found in the temple of the LORD. Then the Levites took these things and carried them out to the Kidron Valley. / They began the consecration on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they reached the portico of the LORD. For eight more days they consecrated the house of the LORD itself, finishing on the sixteenth day of the first month. Psalm 84:2 My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. and in the squares by the Water Gate Nehemiah 12:37 At the Fountain Gate they went directly up the steps of the City of David on the ascent to the wall and passed above the house of David to the Water Gate on the east. Nehemiah 3:26 and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out. and by the Gate of Ephraim. Nehemiah 12:39 over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate. And they stopped at the Gate of the Guard. 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. Jump to Previous Booths Branches Broad Courts Ephraim E'phraim Forth Gate House Roof Square Street Themselves Water Water-GateJump to Next Booths Branches Broad Courts Ephraim E'phraim Forth Gate House Roof Square Street Themselves Water Water-GateNehemiah 8 1. The reverent manner of reading and hearing the law9. 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 indicates the obedience of the Israelites to the command given by Ezra and the leaders to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. It reflects a communal action, emphasizing unity and collective participation in religious observance. This obedience is reminiscent of the Israelites' response to God's commands during the Exodus. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. The People of IsraelThe Israelites who returned from exile and are now participating in the Feast of Booths as instructed by the Law. 2. Ezra the Scribe Although not mentioned in this specific verse, Ezra plays a crucial role in reading the Law to the people, which leads to the observance of the feast. 3. The Feast of Booths (Sukkot) A Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, living in temporary shelters. 4. The Water Gate A location in Jerusalem where part of the assembly took place, significant for its proximity to the temple and its role in the communal life of the city. 5. The Gate of Ephraim Another location in Jerusalem, indicating the widespread observance of the feast throughout the city. Teaching Points Obedience to God's WordThe Israelites' response to Ezra's reading of the Law demonstrates the importance of obedience to God's commands. We are called to respond to God's Word with action. Community and Worship The communal aspect of the Feast of Booths highlights the importance of gathering together in worship and celebration. Christians are encouraged to foster community within the church. Remembrance and Thanksgiving The feast serves as a reminder of God's provision and faithfulness. We should regularly remember and give thanks for God's work in our lives. Living as Pilgrims The temporary nature of the booths reminds believers that our time on earth is temporary, and we are to live with an eternal perspective. Joy in Obedience The celebration of the feast was marked by joy, showing that obedience to God leads to true joy and fulfillment. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 8:16?2. How does Nehemiah 8:16 demonstrate obedience to God's commands in daily life? 3. What significance do the "roofs" and "courtyards" hold in Nehemiah 8:16? 4. How can we create spaces to honor God like in Nehemiah 8:16? 5. Connect Nehemiah 8:16 to other biblical examples of communal worship. 6. How can we apply the communal spirit of Nehemiah 8:16 in our churches? 7. What is the significance of building booths in Nehemiah 8:16 for Jewish tradition? 8. How does Nehemiah 8:16 reflect the importance of community in worship? 9. Why were specific locations like rooftops and courtyards chosen for booths in Nehemiah 8:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 8? 11. What are the names of Jerusalem's gates? 12. Is there any extra-biblical evidence for the large-scale celebration of the Feast of Booths as described in Nehemiah 8:14-18? 13. How could the entire community realistically gather and hear the Law for hours, as stated in Nehemiah 8:1-3? 14. Why do Nehemiah 8:9-12 command people to rejoice instead of mourning if they had just realized their past failures? What Does Nehemiah 8:16 Mean And the people went out• “And the people went out” shows immediate obedience to the Word just read aloud (Nehemiah 8:1-15). • Their movement mirrors Exodus 12:28, where Israel “did just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron,” and anticipates James 1:22, which urges believers to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • Revival is evidenced by action: when Scripture speaks, God’s people move. brought back branches • They “brought back branches” exactly as prescribed for the Feast of Booths (Leviticus 23:40-43). • The use of leafy branches later reappears in joyful procession (Mark 11:8; Revelation 7:9), linking worship, remembrance, and anticipation of God’s kingdom. • Their gathering underscores personal investment—each family collects its own materials for worship. and made booths • Booths (temporary shelters) reenact Israel’s wilderness journey, reminding them that God sustained them when they had no permanent homes (Leviticus 23:42-43). • Zechariah 14:16 points to all nations one day celebrating this same festival, hinting at universal submission to the King. • Building the booths transforms history into lived experience; faith becomes tangible. on their own rooftops • “On their own rooftops” highlights private, everyday spaces given over to the Lord. Rooftops served as family gathering spots (Deuteronomy 22:8; Acts 10:9). • Worship is not confined to formal sanctuaries; every inch of personal life can declare God’s faithfulness. • This placement also made the celebration visible to neighbors, a quiet testimony of obedience. in their courtyards • Courtyards offered room for extended family and guests (2 Kings 21:5). Placing booths here enabled whole households to participate together. • Psalm 84:10 cherishes a single day in God’s courts; now even domestic courts echo that delight. • The corporate nature of the feast grows as private spaces open for communal remembrance. in the courts of the house of God • Some booths stood “in the courts of the house of God,” the Temple precincts. Psalm 92:13 pictures the righteous “planted in the house of the LORD.” • Their proximity to the altar underscored that covenant fellowship and sacrificial worship belong together (Luke 2:46; Acts 21:30). • By mixing sacred space with festival living, the people wove worship into every waking moment. and in the squares by the Water Gate • The Water Gate had just hosted the public reading of the Law (Nehemiah 8:3). Returning there with booths linked hearing God’s Word to acting on it. • Water often symbolizes salvation (Isaiah 12:3) and the Spirit (John 7:37-39). Setting up booths here visually married the memory of wilderness provision with the promise of future refreshment. • Public squares allowed the broader community—even visitors—to witness Israel’s restored obedience. and by the Gate of Ephraim • The Gate of Ephraim marked the city’s northern entrance (2 Kings 14:13; Nehemiah 12:39). Booths here proclaimed covenant identity to all who came and went. • Revelation 21:12 describes twelve gates bearing the names of Israel’s tribes; this historical gate foreshadows eternal access to God’s dwelling. • Spreading the celebration to the city limits showed that no corner of life was excluded from honoring the LORD. summary The verse paints a picture of wholehearted, widespread obedience. Every phrase stretches the festival from personal rooftops to Temple courts, from family courtyards to public gates. Together the people quickly apply Scripture, reconstructing the God-appointed feast, reminding themselves of His past faithfulness, and declaring His present reign over every sphere of life. (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 peopleהָעָם֮ (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 Links Nehemiah 8:16 NIVNehemiah 8:16 NLT Nehemiah 8:16 ESV Nehemiah 8:16 NASB Nehemiah 8:16 KJV Nehemiah 8:16 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 8:16 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 8:16 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 8:16 French Bible Nehemiah 8:16 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 8:16 So the people went forth and brought (Neh Ne) |
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