Nehemiah 8:1

Authorized King James Version

And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּאָֽסְפ֤וּ
H622
gathered themselves together
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#2
כָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
הָעָם֙
H5971
And all the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#4
כְּאִ֣ישׁ
H376
man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#5
אֶחָ֔ד
H259
as one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#6
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
הָ֣רְח֔וֹב
H7339
into the street
a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area
#8
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
לִפְנֵ֣י
H6440
that was before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#10
שַֽׁעַר
H8179
gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#11
הַמָּ֑יִם
H4325
the water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#12
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙
H559
and they spake
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
לְעֶזְרָ֣א
H5830
unto Ezra
ezra, an israelite
#14
הַסֹּפֵ֔ר
H5608
the scribe
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
#15
לְהָבִ֗יא
H935
to bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#16
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
סֵ֙פֶר֙
H5612
the book
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
#18
תּוֹרַ֣ת
H8451
of the law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
#19
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
H4872
of Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#20
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#21
צִוָּ֥ה
H6680
had commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#22
יְהוָ֖ה
H3068
which the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#23
אֶת
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#24
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
H3478
to Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Nehemiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection