Nehemiah 8:9

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
H559
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
נְחֶמְיָ֣ה
H5166
And Nehemiah
nechemjah, the name of three israelites
#3
ה֣וּא
H1931
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
#4
הַתִּרְשָׁ֡תָא
H8660
which is the Tirshatha
tirshatha, the title of a persian deputy or governor
#5
וְעֶזְרָ֣א
H5830
and Ezra
ezra, an israelite
#6
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן׀
H3548
the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#7
הַסֹּפֵ֡ר
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
#8
וְהַלְוִיִּם֩
H3881
and the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#9
הַמְּבִינִ֨ים
H995
that taught
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
#10
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
הָעָ֔ם
H5971
For all the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#12
לְכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
הָעָ֔ם
H5971
For all the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#14
הַיּ֤וֹם
H3117
This day
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
#15
קָדֹֽשׁ
H6918
is holy
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
#16
הוּא֙
H1931
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
#17
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
H3068
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#18
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
H430
your God
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
#19
אַל
H408
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#20
תִּֽתְאַבְּל֖וּ
H56
mourn
to bewail
#21
וְאַל
H408
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#22
בוֹכִים֙
H1058
not nor weep
to weep; generally to bemoan
#23
כִּ֤י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#24
בוֹכִים֙
H1058
not nor weep
to weep; generally to bemoan
#25
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#26
הָעָ֔ם
H5971
For all the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#27
כְּשָׁמְעָ֖ם
H8085
when they heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#28
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#29
דִּבְרֵ֥י
H1697
the words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#30
הַתּוֹרָֽה׃
H8451
of the law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Nehemiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection