Nehemiah 8

Nehemiah 8:1

THe water gate whereof see, Nehemiah 3:26. [to bring] according to the commandement, Deuteronomy 31:10.

Nehemiah 8:2

The first day] which was the feast of the tabernacles, Levit. 23. 24. Numbers 29:1.

Nehemiah 8:4

Mattithiah] these were Doctors of the Law, and principall Levites.

Nehemiah 8:6

And Ezra] namely after hee had done reading of the Law.

Nehemiah 8:7

Ieshuah] it is likely that these Levites were divided amongst the people in severall places; who standing round about them in rings, were taught by them.

Nehemiah 8:8

Caused them to understand] or did expound the meaning of it to the assembly.

Nehemiah 8:9

Mourne not] for God had ordained, that feasts should bee celebrated with publick mirth, Numbers 10:10. Deuteronomy 16:1-22. [wept] through compunction of heart, grieving for their sinnes, and through a tender conversion.

Nehemiah 8:10

And send] according to Gods command, and the godly custome of helping the poore in those dayes, that they might also bee partakers of the publick mirth, Deut. 16. 11. 14. Esther 9:19. Revel. 11. 10. [the joy] the culy meanes to encourage you against all feares, and strengthen you in all your labours: is faith and trust in God, filling your hearts with divine and spirituall joy, through the lively apprehension of his grace.

Nehemiah 8:15

And that they should] for all solemne feasts were to bee published and publickly proclaimed, Levit. 23. 4. [boothes] the Italian, tabernacles, or bowers.

Nehemiah 8:16

The roose] made after the manner of an open terrace according to the fashion there.

Nehemiah 8:17

For since] this is to give a reason why here is such expresse, and particular mention made of the solemnity of this feast: [done so] having never celebrared the said feast with so much devotion and perseverance; being come together every one of the seven dayes to heare the Law. Whereas Moses, Levit. 23. 35. 36. did suffer the people to goe home the six middle dayes, feasting only the first, and the last.