Nehemiah 8:9
And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Original Language Analysis
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 30
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הַתִּרְשָׁ֡תָא
which is the Tirshatha
H8660
הַתִּרְשָׁ֡תָא
which is the Tirshatha
Strong's:
H8660
Word #:
4 of 30
tirshatha, the title of a persian deputy or governor
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן׀
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן׀
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
6 of 30
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַסֹּפֵ֡ר
the scribe
H5608
הַסֹּפֵ֡ר
the scribe
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
7 of 30
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
הַמְּבִינִ֨ים
that taught
H995
הַמְּבִינִ֨ים
that taught
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
9 of 30
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֔ם
For all the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
For all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 30
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֔ם
For all the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
For all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
13 of 30
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַיּ֤וֹם
This day
H3117
הַיּ֤וֹם
This day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 30
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
קָדֹֽשׁ
is holy
H6918
קָדֹֽשׁ
is holy
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
15 of 30
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
הוּא֙
H1931
הוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
16 of 30
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 30
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 30
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
19 of 30
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
21 of 30
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
23 of 30
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
25 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֔ם
For all the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
For all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
26 of 30
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כְּשָׁמְעָ֖ם
when they heard
H8085
כְּשָׁמְעָ֖ם
when they heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
27 of 30
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
28 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Nehemiah 7:70And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.Nehemiah 7:65And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.Nehemiah 8:2And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.Deuteronomy 12:12And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.Deuteronomy 12:7And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.Deuteronomy 16:11And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.Leviticus 23:24Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.Ezra 2:63And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
Historical Context
Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. The spiritual reforms under Ezra and Nehemiah shaped Judaism for centuries, establishing Scripture's centrality and patterns of worship continuing into the intertestamental period and beyond. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.
Questions for Reflection
- How does regular engagement with Scripture transform understanding of God and His will for your life?
- What specific commitments do you need to make (or renew) regarding Bible reading, worship, and obedience?
- How can the principles demonstrated in this passage inform your response to current challenges in your life or church?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
This verse within Nehemiah 8 addresses themes of Scripture centrality, teaching, understanding, worship. The public Scripture reading demonstrates how spiritual renewal requires understanding God's Word, not mere ritual observance. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.