Nehemiah 8:3

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּקְרָא
H7121
And he read
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#2
בוֹ֩
H0
#3
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
#4
הָֽרְח֜וֹב
H7339
the street
a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area
#5
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
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
#7
שַֽׁעַר
H8179
gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#8
הַמַּ֗יִם
H4325
the water
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#9
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#10
הָאוֹר֙
H216
from the morning
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
#11
עַד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#12
מַֽחֲצִ֣ית
H4276
until midday
a halving or the middle
#13
הַיּ֔וֹם
H3117
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#14
נֶ֛גֶד
H5048
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
#15
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֥ים
H376
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)
#16
וְהַנָּשִׁ֖ים
H802
and the women
a woman
#17
וְהַמְּבִינִ֑ים
H995
and those that could understand
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
#18
וְאָזְנֵ֥י
H241
and the ears
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
#19
כָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
הָעָ֖ם
H5971
of all the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#21
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#22
סֵ֥פֶר
H5612
were attentive unto the book
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
#23
הַתּוֹרָֽה׃
H8451
of the law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection