Nehemiah 8:3

Verse

So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

American Standard Version (1901)

And he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

Bible in Basic English

He was reading it in the wide place in front of the water-doorway, from early morning till the middle of the day, in the hearing of all those men and women whose minds were able to take it in; and the ears of all the people were open to the book of the law.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he read it plainly in the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before the men, and the women, and all those that could understand: and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book.

Free Bible Version

He read from it in front of the square before the Water Gate from early morning till noon to everyone there, the men and the women and those who could understand. All the people listened carefully to the Book of the Law.

Geneva Bible 1599

And he read therein in the streete that was before the watergate (from the morning vntill the midday) before men and women, and them that vnderstoode it, and the eares of all the people hearkened vnto the booke of the Lawe.

King James (Authorized) 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.

Translation for Translators

So he brought it out and read it to the people. He started reading it early in the morning and continued reading it until noontime. All the people listened carefully to the laws that were written on the scroll.

Unlocked Literal Bible

He faced the open area in front of the Water Gate, and he read from it from early morning until midday, before men and women, and any who could understand, and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.

Noah Webster Bible

And he read therein before the street that was before the water-gate from the morning until mid-day, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.

World English Bible

He read from it before the wide place that was in front of the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand. The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.

Young's Literal Translation

and he readeth in it before the broad place that [is] before the water-gate, from the light till the middle of the day, over-against the men, and the women, and those intelligent, and the ears of all the people [are] unto the book of the law.

Context

Ezra Reads the Law

²On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand. ³So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

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Summary

In Nehemiah 8:3, we see the people gathered as one in the square before the Water Gate, showing their unity and eagerness to hear the Word of God. Ezra the scribe reads from the Book of the Law from daybreak until noon, demonstrating the importance of diligently studying and understanding God's Word. This scene reflects the reverence and hunger for spiritual nourishment among the Israelites, inspiring us to prioritize regular engagement with Scripture for spiritual growth and renewal. The attentive posture of the people as they listen attentively to the Word underscores the significance of active listening and receptivity to God's teachings. Overall, Nehemiah 8:3 highlights the transformative power of God's Word when received with humility and a desire to obey.

Commentary

John Gill
Tyndale

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he read therein,.... Some passages in it, here and there, which it was necessary the people should have knowledge of; for it can hardly be thought be began and read on just in the order in which it was: this he did before the street; at the top of it, at one end of it: that was before the water gate; which looked directly to that: from the morning until midday; from the rising of the sun to noon, so that he must read six hours; but very probably was relieved at times by the men with him, after mentioned: before the men and the women, and those that could understand; see Neh 8:2, and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law; to the hearing of it read, and to the things contained in it; hence Maimonides (h) gathers, that as soon as the reader begins the reading of the law, it is not lawful to speak about anything, not even the constitutions of the law, but silently to attend to what is read. (h) Hilchot Tephillah, c. 12. sect. 9.