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Nehemiah 8:11

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Nehemiah 8:11 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Do not grieve.”

King James Version KJV

So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.

American Standard Version ASV

So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.

Bible in Basic English BBE

So the Levites made all the people quiet, saying, Be quiet, for the day is holy; and do not give way to grief.

Free Bible Version FBV

The Levites too were quieting everyone down, telling them, “Don't cry! This is a holy day and you shouldn't be sad.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And the Leuites made silence throughout all the people, saying, Holde your peace: for the day is holy, be not sad therefore.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the Levites are keeping all the people silent, saying, 'Be silent, for to-day [is] holy, and be not grieved.'

World English Bible WEB

So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Hold your peace, for the day is holy. Don’t be grieved.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And the Levites stilled all the people, saying: Hold your peace, for the day is holy, and be not sorrowful.

Translation for Translators T4T

The Levites also caused the people to be quiet, saying “Be quiet and do not cry, because this is a sacred day! Do not be sad!”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 8:11

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Nehemiah 8:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/הַ/לְוִיִּ֞ם מַחְשִׁ֤ים לְ/כָל הָ/עָם֙ לֵ/אמֹ֣ר הַ֔סּוּ כִּ֥י הַ/יּ֖וֹם קָדֹ֑שׁ וְ/אַל תֵּעָצֵֽבוּ
וְ/הַ/לְוִיִּ֞ם Lêvîyîy H3881 Levi Conj | Art | Ngmpa
מַחְשִׁ֤ים châshâh H2814 be silent V-Hiphil
לְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Prep | N-ms
הָ/עָם֙ ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms
לֵ/אמֹ֣ר ʼâmar H559 to say Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
הַ֔סּוּ hâçâh H2013 to silence Part
כִּ֥י kîy H3588 for Conj
הַ/יּ֖וֹם yôwm H3117 day Art | N-ms
קָדֹ֑שׁ qâdôwsh H6918 holy Adj
וְ/אַל ʼal H408 not Conj | Part
תֵּעָצֵֽבוּ ʻâtsab H6087 to hurt V-Niphal-Juss-2mp
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 8:11

וְ/הַ/לְוִיִּ֞ם Lêvîyîy H3881 "Levi" Conj | Art | Ngmpa
A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.
Definition: Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878) § Levite, of Levi "joined to" 1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah 1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: Leviite. See also: Exodus 4:14; 1 Chronicles 6:33; Ezra 6:20.
מַחְשִׁ֤ים châshâh H2814 "be silent" V-Hiphil
This Hebrew word means to be silent or quiet, and is used in the Bible to describe stillness or inactivity, as seen in the book of Psalms. It can also mean to hold peace or keep silence. In some cases, it is used to show respect or reverence.
Definition: 1) to be silent, quiet, still, inactive 1a) (Qal) to be silent, be still 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to be silent, exhibit silence 1b2) to show inactivity, be inactive 1b3) to make silent, make quiet, cause to be still
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: hold peace, keep silence, be silent, (be) still. See also: Judges 18:9; Psalms 107:29; Psalms 28:1.
לְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הָ/עָם֙ ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
לֵ/אמֹ֣ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הַ֔סּוּ hâçâh H2013 "to silence" Part
To silence means to hush or keep quiet, often used to command someone to be still or hold their tongue. This is seen in the Bible when someone is told to hold peace or keep silence.
Definition: interj 1) (Piel) hush, keep silence, be silent, hold peace, hold tongue, still v 2)(CLBL) to hush 2a) (Hiphil) to command to be silent
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: hold peace (tongue), (keep) silence, be silent, still. See also: Numbers 13:30; Amos 8:3; Zechariah 2:17.
כִּ֥י kîy H3588 "for" Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
הַ/יּ֖וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
קָדֹ֑שׁ qâdôwsh H6918 "holy" Adj
Holy means set apart or sacred, used to describe God, angels, and saints. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things or people dedicated to God's service, like the Temple in Jerusalem or the prophets who spoke on God's behalf.
Definition: : holy sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: holy (One), saint. See also: Exodus 19:6; Psalms 89:19; Psalms 16:3.
וְ/אַל ʼal H408 "not" Conj | Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תֵּעָצֵֽבוּ ʻâtsab H6087 "to hurt" V-Niphal-Juss-2mp
To shape or carve something, like a craftsman forming wood or stone, can also mean to worry or cause pain, as in the emotional distress of King David in Psalm 38:18.
Definition: 1) to hurt, pain, grieve, displease, vex, wrest 1a) (Qal) to hurt, pain 1b)(Niphal) to be in pain, be pained, be grieved 1c) (Piel) to vex, torture 1d) (Hiphil) to cause pain 1e) (Hithpael) to feel grieved, be vexed Aramaic equivalent: a.tsav (עֲצַב "to pain" H6088)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: displease, grieve, hurt, make, be sorry, vex, worship, wrest. See also: Genesis 6:6; Nehemiah 8:10; Psalms 56:6.

Study Notes — Nehemiah 8:11

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Numbers 13:30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!”

Nehemiah 8:11 Summary

[This verse is telling us that even when we are feeling sad or upset, we can choose to focus on the joy of the Lord, which is our strength, as mentioned in Nehemiah 8:10. The Levites reminded the people that the day was holy, and that they should not grieve, but instead rejoice in the Lord's presence, as seen in Psalm 16:11. By choosing to rejoice, we can find peace and comfort, even in difficult times, as seen in Isaiah 26:3. This is an important reminder for us today, as we navigate our own ups and downs, to trust in the Lord's joy and strength, as mentioned in Psalm 28:7.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the people need to be told not to grieve on this holy day?

The people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law, and the leaders reminded them that the day was holy to the Lord their God, and that they should not mourn or weep, as seen in Nehemiah 8:9, but instead rejoice in the joy of the Lord, which is their strength, as mentioned in Nehemiah 8:10.

What role did the Levites play in calming the people?

The Levites, who were instructing the people, calmed all the people by telling them to be still and not grieve, as they reminded them that the day was holy, as stated in Nehemiah 8:11.

How does this verse relate to the concept of joy in the Bible?

This verse points to the joy of the Lord as the people's strength, as mentioned in Nehemiah 8:10, which is a theme that is also seen in other parts of the Bible, such as Psalm 16:11, where it says that in God's presence is fullness of joy.

What can we learn from the way the leaders handled the people's emotions in this situation?

The leaders, including Nehemiah and the Levites, showed compassion and understanding towards the people, and reminded them of the importance of rejoicing in the Lord, which is a valuable lesson for leaders and believers today, as seen in Galatians 6:2, where it says to bear one another's burdens.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some things in my life that make me grieve, and how can I apply the principle of rejoicing in the Lord's joy to those situations?
  2. In what ways can I, like the Levites, help to calm and encourage those around me who may be struggling with difficult emotions?
  3. How can I balance the need to acknowledge and process my emotions with the command to rejoice in the Lord, as seen in Philippians 4:4?
  4. What are some practical ways that I can celebrate and rejoice in the Lord's holiness, as the people were doing in this verse?

Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 8:11

So the Levites stilled all the people,.... Made them quiet and easy, being backed by the governor: saying, hold your peace; refrain from weeping and mourning: for the day is holy; a festival, set

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 8:11

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 8:11

The Levites stilled all the people; whose passions being once raised, could not suddenly be composed. Hold your peace; cease from weeping and mournful cries, and turn your lamentations into thanksgivings.

Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 8:11

Nehemiah 8:11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day [is] holy; neither be ye grieved.Ver. 11. So the Levites stilled all the people] Made them hold their tongues, and forbear their groans and moans, the expressions of their great grief conceived for their sins, making a wailing like the dragons, mourning as the owls, and saying, "Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me," &c., Micah 1:8 Isaiah 22:4. But these holy Levites did comfort them, and quiet them. Saying, Hold your peace] Or, Sit; peace, and be still. For the day is holy] And God loves not the bread of mourners for a sacrifice, is like as none might come into the court of Persia in mourning weeds, Esther 4:4. See Nehemiah 8:9. Neither be ye grieved] It seems their hearts were even leavened and soured with sorrow, as David’ s was, Psalms 73:21.

Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 8:11

(11) So the Levites.—As before, what Ezra said was repeated to the people in various directions by the Levites. But there was evidently an almost irrepressible emotion.

Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 8:11

11. Hold your peace] This expression has been compared with the Latin ‘Favete linguis.’ It was ill-omened to make use of words or signs of lamentation on a holy day, cf. Habakkuk 2:20, ‘The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him;’ Zephaniah 1:7, ‘Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: … for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath sanctified his guests;’ Zechariah 2:13.

Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 8:11

11. Stilled all the people — Hushed their loud lamentation. The call to observe the feast of trumpets, and the comforting words that accompanied it, cheered and strengthened the hearts of the people,

Sermons on Nehemiah 8:11

SermonDescription
Jackie Pullinger Running Your Race (Bilingual) by Jackie Pullinger In this sermon, the speaker reflects on their own struggles and doubts in teaching the word of God. They mention how a group of teenagers encouraged them and reminded them that the
Carter Conlon A Private Moment for Times Square Church by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the life and ministry of Pastor David Wilkerson, who was used by God to bring the message of Christ to the streets of New York City. Pastor
Joshua Daniel Attack of the Devil - Part 4 by Joshua Daniel This sermon emphasizes the importance of overcoming defeatism and having faith in God's power to conquer challenges. It contrasts the defeatist attitude of the majority with the fa
Paris Reidhead Incomplete Repentance by Paris Reidhead In this sermon, the speaker describes the promised land as a fertile and abundant land, flowing with milk and honey. He emphasizes that God's purpose is to make us like Jesus Chris
Zac Poonen The Remnant That Stands for God by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the importance of being part of the remnant who trust in God and overcome challenges, drawing parallels from Old Testament stories like Gideon and the Israel
Stephen Kaung The Spirit of Caleb by Stephen Kaung In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of possessing what God has promised to us. He encourages both young and old believers to enter into and possess the blessings
George Verwer Lukewarm No More - Part 18 by George Verwer In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Caleb and Joshua from the Bible. He highlights the different perspectives and vocabularies of these two men. Caleb emphasizes th
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