King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused [them] to understand the reading.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They read clearly from the scroll, in the Torah of God, translated it, and enabled them to understand the sense of what was being read.
Berean Standard Bible:
So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.
American Standard Version:
And they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
So they read{H7121} in the book{H5612} in the law{H8451} of God{H430} distinctly{H6567}, and gave{H7760} the sense{H7922}, and caused them to understand{H995} the reading{H4744}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Acts 28:23
- ¶ And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening.
Luke 24:45
- Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Luke 24:27
- And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Acts 8:30
- And Philip ran thither to [him], and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Acts 8:35
- Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Luke 24:32
- And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Acts 17:2
- And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
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Commentary for Nehemiah 8:8
Nehemiah 8:8 is set within the historical context of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem, following the decree of King Cyrus of Persia allowing them to rebuild their city and its temple. This period, around the mid-5th century BCE, was a time of restoration for the Jewish people, both physically in terms of infrastructure and spiritually in terms of their faith and identity.
The verse captures a pivotal moment where the people, gathered as a community, are listening to the public reading of the Law of God, which likely refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. The verse emphasizes that the Levites, who were assisting Ezra the scribe, read the law clearly ("distinctly") and provided explanations to ensure understanding ("gave the sense, and caused [them] to understand the reading"). This indicates a deliberate effort to make the sacred text accessible and comprehensible to the people, many of whom may not have been familiar with its contents after years in exile.
The themes present in this verse include the importance of scripture, the role of religious leaders in teaching and interpreting the law, and the communal aspect of worship and learning. It also highlights the value of literacy and education in the religious life of the community. The act of reading, interpreting, and teaching the law was essential for the spiritual renewal of the people and for the reestablishment of their covenant relationship with God. This event underscores the centrality of the Torah in Jewish life and the commitment of the community to live according to its precepts, which was foundational for the post-exilic reformation of Jewish society and religion.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H6567
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרָשׁ
Transliteration: pârâsh
Pronunciation: paw-rash'
Description: a primitive root; to separate, literally (to disperse) or figuratively (to specify); also (by implication) to wound; scatter, declare, distinctly, shew, sting. - Strong's Number: H7760
There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׂוּם
Transliteration: sûwm
Pronunciation: soom
Description: or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. - Strong's Number: H7922
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׂכֶל
Transliteration: sekel
Pronunciation: seh'-kel
Description: or שֵׂכֶל; from שָׂכַל; intelligence; by implication, success; discretion, knowledge, policy, prudence, sense, understanding, wisdom, wise. - Strong's Number: H995
There are 162 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּין
Transliteration: bîyn
Pronunciation: bene
Description: a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand; attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). - Strong's Number: H4744
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִקְרָא
Transliteration: miqrâʼ
Pronunciation: mik-raw'
Description: from קָרָא; something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal; assembly, calling, convocation, reading.