Nehemiah 8:12

And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

And all the people {H5971} went their way {H3212} to eat {H398}, and to drink {H8354}, and to send {H7971} portions {H4490}, and to make {H6213} great {H1419} mirth {H8057}, because they had understood {H995} the words {H1697} that were declared {H3045} unto them.

Then the people went off to eat, drink, send portions and celebrate; because they had understood the words that had been proclaimed to them.

Then all the people began to eat and drink, to send out portions, and to rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that had been made known to them.

And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

Commentary

Commentary on Nehemiah 8:12

Nehemiah 8:12 captures a profound moment of spiritual revival and communal joy among the Israelites who had returned from Babylonian exile. This verse marks the culmination of an extraordinary assembly where Ezra the scribe publicly read and explained the Law of God to the gathered people in Jerusalem.

Historical and Cultural Context

Following the rebuilding of the city walls under Nehemiah, the people assembled at the Water Gate. For several hours, Ezra and the Levites read and interpreted the Law (Torah), ensuring everyone, from children to adults, understood its meaning. Initially, the people wept as they recognized their sin and shortcomings in light of God's holy commands. However, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites instructed them to cease mourning and instead to rejoice, for "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). This verse describes the immediate, joyous response to that instruction, setting the stage for the subsequent observance of the Feast of Tabernacles mentioned later in the chapter.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Joy Born from Understanding: The primary catalyst for their "great mirth" was their comprehension of God's Word. It wasn't just hearing, but understanding the words declared unto them that ignited their joy. This highlights the transformative power of divine truth.
  • Celebration and Fellowship: The acts of eating, drinking, and sending portions signify a communal celebration. "Sending portions" (mishloach manot in later Jewish tradition) was a practice of sharing food with friends, neighbors, and especially the poor, embodying generosity and communal solidarity during festive occasions. It reflects the spirit of rejoicing before the Lord with one's whole community, including the less fortunate.
  • Spiritual Renewal and Obedience: This scene is a powerful illustration of spiritual revival. The people's response was not just emotional but also practical, leading to actions that aligned with the spirit of the Law โ€“ joy, generosity, and communal harmony.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "mirth" is simchah (ืฉื‚ึดืžึฐื—ึธื”), which denotes a deep, unbridled joy, often associated with religious festivals and the presence of God. It is a joy that comes from a right relationship with the divine and is a common theme in the Old Testament when referring to celebrations of God's faithfulness. The phrase "understood the words" comes from the Hebrew hevinลซ ba-d'varim (ื”ึตื‘ึดื™ื ื•ึผ ื‘ึทึผื“ึฐึผื‘ึธืจึดื™ื), emphasizing an active and deep comprehension, not merely passive reception of information.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 8:12 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. The Importance of Understanding Scripture: Genuine spiritual joy often flows from truly comprehending God's Word and its implications for our lives. It's not enough to hear; we must strive to understand.
  2. Joy as a Divine Gift: The passage reminds us that joy is a legitimate and often commanded response to God's truth and goodness, especially after acknowledging sin and receiving grace.
  3. Faith Expressed in Community and Generosity: Our joy in God should naturally lead to expressions of fellowship, sharing, and care for others, especially those in need. Celebration in faith is often communal and inclusive.

This verse beautifully illustrates that true spiritual understanding leads not to sorrow, but to profound, shared joy and practical acts of love and generosity.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 119:174 (5 votes)

    I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law [is] my delight.

  • Psalms 119:127 (4 votes)

    ยถ Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

  • Psalms 119:171 (4 votes)

    ยถ My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

  • Psalms 119:72 (4 votes)

    ยถ The law of thy mouth [is] better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

  • Luke 24:32 (4 votes)

    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?

  • Psalms 119:111 (4 votes)

    ยถ Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they [are] the rejoicing of my heart.

  • Psalms 119:130 (4 votes)

    ยถ The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.