Nehemiah 8:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day [was] a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Also they read every day, from the first day until the last day, in the scroll of the Torah of God. They kept the feast for seven days; then on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.

Berean Standard Bible:

Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. The Israelites kept the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day they held an assembly, according to the ordinance.

American Standard Version:

Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the ordinance.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Also day^{H3117} by day^{H3117}, from the first^{H7223} day^{H3117} unto the last^{H314} day^{H3117}, he read^{H7121} in the book^{H5612} of the law^{H8451} of God^{H430}. And they kept^{H6213} the feast^{H2282} seven^{H7651} days^{H3117}; and on the eighth^{H8066} day^{H3117} was a solemn assembly^{H6116}, according unto the manner^{H4941}.

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Commentary for Nehemiah 8:18

Nehemiah 8:18 is set within the broader context of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the subsequent rebuilding of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah. This verse specifically captures a significant moment in the religious and cultural restoration of the Jewish people. After the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt, Ezra the scribe, accompanied by the Levites, reads from the Book of the Law of God to the assembled people. This public reading marks a renewal of the covenant between God and Israel.

The verse highlights the continuous nature of this event, occurring "day by day, from the first day unto the last day," emphasizing the importance of daily engagement with the divine law. The people are not only listeners but also active participants in a festival that lasts seven days, followed by a solemn assembly on the eighth day. This festival is likely the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), which is prescribed in the Law of Moses and commemorates the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness and their dependence on God's provision.

The historical context of this verse reflects a period of revival and reaffirmation of Jewish identity and faith. The themes include the centrality of God's law in the life of the community, the importance of religious festivals in maintaining cultural and spiritual heritage, and the role of communal reading and interpretation in strengthening group cohesion and religious understanding. Nehemiah 8:18 thus encapsulates a pivotal moment of spiritual renewal and national redefinition for the people of Israel as they reestablish their covenant relationship with God in the post-exilic period.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; 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 associated term), (often used adverb); 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7223
   There are 174 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רִאשׁוֹן
   Transliteration: riʼshôwn
   Pronunciation: ree-shone'
   Description: or רִאשֹׁן; from רִאשָׁה; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun); ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past.
   
3. Strong's Number: H314
   There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחֲרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼachărôwn
   Pronunciation: akh-ar-one'
   Description: or (shortened) אַחֲרֹן; from אָחַר; hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western; after (-ward), to come, following, hind(-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter) most.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5612
   There are 174 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סֵפֶר
   Transliteration: çêpher
   Pronunciation: say'-fer
   Description: or (feminine) סִפְרָה; (Psalm 56:8 (אֲבֵדָה)), from סָפַר; properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book; bill, book, evidence, [idiom] learn(-ed) (-ing), letter, register, scroll.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8451
   There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תּוֹרָה
   Transliteration: tôwrâh
   Pronunciation: to-raw'
   Description: or תֹּרָה; from יָרָה; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch; law.
   
7. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; 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 deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
9. Strong's Number: H2282
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חַג
   Transliteration: chag
   Pronunciation: khag
   Description: or חָג; from חָגַג; a festival, or a victim therefor; (solemn) feast (day), sacrifice, solemnity.
   
10. Strong's Number: H7651
    There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֶׁבַע
    Transliteration: shebaʻ
    Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
    Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה.
    
11. Strong's Number: H8066
    There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שְׁמִינִי
    Transliteration: shᵉmîynîy
    Pronunciation: shem-ee-nee'
    Description: from שְׁמֹנֶה; eight; eight.
    
12. Strong's Number: H6116
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֲצָרָה
    Transliteration: ʻătsârâh
    Pronunciation: ats-aw-raw'
    Description: or עֲצֶרֶת; from עָצָר; an assembly, especially on afestival or holiday; (solemn) assembly (meeting).
    
13. Strong's Number: H4941
    There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
    Transliteration: mishpâṭ
    Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
    Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong.