Nehemiah 8:17

KJV

And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.

KJV (with Strong's)

And all the congregation {H6951} of them that were come again {H7725} out of the captivity {H7628} made {H6213} booths {H5521}, and sat {H3427} under the booths {H5521}: for since the days {H3117} of Jeshua {H3442} the son {H1121} of Nun {H5126} unto that day {H3117} had not the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} done so {H6213}. And there was very {H3966} great {H1419} gladness {H8057}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The entire community of those who had returned from the exile made sukkot and lived in the sukkot, for the people of Isra'el had not done this since the days of Yeshua the son of Nun. So there was very great joy.

Berean Standard Bible

The whole assembly who had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated like this. And there was great rejoicing.

American Standard Version

And all the assembly of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and dwelt in the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 8:17 describes the profound spiritual revival and national restoration among the returned exiles in Jerusalem, marked by their unprecedented and comprehensive observance of the Feast of Tabernacles. This joyous event, not seen in such completeness since the time of Joshua, signifies a deep corporate obedience to God's rediscovered Law, culminating in overwhelming gladness as the community embraced divine instruction and remembered God's faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 8:17 stands as the triumphant culmination of a significant spiritual awakening. The preceding verses detail the public reading of the Law by Ezra the scribe, a pivotal moment where the people, upon hearing and understanding God's commands, were moved to weeping and repentance ([Nehemiah 8:1-9](/nehemiah/8-1 "Nehemiah 8:1-9 - Ezra Reads the Law")). Nehemiah and Ezra then exhorted them to transform their sorrow into joy, declaring that "the joy of the LORD is your strength" ([Nehemiah 8:10](/nehemiah/8-10 "Nehemiah 8:10 - The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength")). Following this, the leaders and people diligently studied the Law further, discovering the neglected ordinance of the Feast of Tabernacles ([Nehemiah 8:13-15](/nehemiah/8-13 "Nehemiah 8:13-15 - Discovery of the Feast of Tabernacles Command")). Verse 17 then records their unified and joyful obedience in constructing and dwelling in booths, demonstrating a profound commitment to the rediscovered divine mandate.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is post-exilic Jerusalem, where the Jewish people had returned from seventy years of Babylonian captivity, seeking to rebuild their physical city and spiritual identity. The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, was one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals commanded in the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 23:34-43](/leviticus/23-34 "Leviticus 23:34-43 - Command for the Feast of Tabernacles")). Culturally, it served a dual purpose: commemorating God's miraculous provision and protection during Israel's forty years of wandering in temporary shelters in the wilderness after the Exodus, and celebrating the autumn harvest, signifying God's ongoing blessings. The act of building and dwelling in temporary "booths" (sukkot) was a physical reenactment of their ancestors' nomadic journey, fostering humility and dependence on God. The statement "since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun" (Joshua) underscores the extraordinary nature of this observance, highlighting that such a complete and widespread adherence to this particular command had not occurred for nearly a millennium, signifying a truly unprecedented national spiritual revival.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several core themes. First, it highlights **Obedience to God's Word**, as the people's actions directly stemmed from their understanding of the Law, demonstrating that true spiritual revival is rooted in heeding divine instruction. Second, it showcases **Corporate Revival and Unity**, as "all the congregation" participated, reflecting a unified national commitment to God after generations of spiritual decline and exile. Third, the "very great gladness" underscores the theme of **Joy in the Lord**, emphasizing that genuine, lasting joy is found not in external circumstances but in aligning one's life with God's will and experiencing His presence, a concept also articulated in [Nehemiah 8:10](/nehemiah/8-10 "Nehemiah 8:10 - The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength"). Finally, the observance of Sukkot itself reinforces **Remembrance of God's Faithfulness and Provision**, calling the people to recall how God sustained their ancestors in the wilderness, fostering trust for their present and future.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Booths (Hebrew, _sukkot'_):** The plural form of _sukkah_, referring to temporary shelters or tabernacles, typically constructed from branches and leaves. These dwellings were not meant for permanent habitation but symbolized the provisional nature of Israel's wilderness journey and their complete dependence on God for provision and protection. The act of making and dwelling in these booths was a tangible, annual reminder of their nomadic past and God's faithfulness.
* **Jeshua the son of Nun (Hebrew, _Yehoshua` ben Nun'_):** This refers to Joshua, the successor of Moses, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. The specific mention of Joshua's time signifies the last period in Israel's history when such a comprehensive and nationwide observance of the Feast of Tabernacles was undertaken. This comparison highlights the extraordinary nature of the revival in Nehemiah's day, indicating a spiritual depth and communal commitment not seen for centuries.
* **Gladness (Hebrew, _simḥah'_):** This term denotes a deep, profound joy, often associated with religious festivals, worship, and the presence of God. It is not merely a fleeting happiness but a spiritual delight that stems from obedience, repentance, and communion with the divine. The repetition of "very great" emphasizes the intensity and widespread nature of this communal joy, a direct result of their renewed relationship with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths":** This clause emphasizes the unified and comprehensive nature of the observance. "All the congregation" highlights the corporate commitment, signifying that this was not a partial or localized effort but a nationwide embrace of God's command. The physical act of constructing and dwelling in the booths demonstrates their tangible obedience to the rediscovered Law.
* **"for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so.":** This is a powerful declaration of the unprecedented nature of this event. It underscores that while there may have been some partial or individual observances of Sukkot in the intervening centuries, this particular instance was unique in its completeness, widespread participation, and spiritual fervor, reaching a level of national commitment not seen since the time of Joshua, nearly a thousand years prior.
* **"And there was very great gladness.":** This concluding phrase reveals the emotional and spiritual outcome of their obedience. The profound joy experienced by the people was a direct consequence of their alignment with God's will, their communal worship, and their remembrance of His faithfulness. It signifies that obedience to God is not burdensome but leads to a deep, abiding, and overflowing spiritual delight.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 8:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The statement "since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so" functions as a form of **hyperbole** or **exaggeration**, emphasizing the extraordinary and unprecedented nature of this observance. While it's possible minor observances occurred, the text stresses the unparalleled scope and spiritual depth of this particular Feast of Tabernacles. **Repetition** is evident in "made booths, and sat under the booths," which underscores the central action and its significance. This direct, physical engagement with the command highlights their thorough obedience. There is also an implicit **contrast** between the long period of neglect (since Joshua) and the present, full observance, which dramatically highlights the spiritual revival. Finally, the "booths" themselves serve as powerful **symbolism**, representing not only the temporary dwellings of the wilderness journey but also the transient nature of human life and the enduring faithfulness of God as their ultimate dwelling and provider.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 8:17 beautifully encapsulates the profound connection between obedience to God's Word and the experience of genuine joy. The rediscovery and diligent application of the Law led directly to a communal outpouring of gladness, demonstrating that God's commands are not burdensome but pathways to abundant life and spiritual delight. This passage underscores the truth that national and individual revival flows from a renewed commitment to divine instruction and a remembrance of God's steadfast faithfulness throughout history. The Feast of Tabernacles, with its focus on temporary dwellings, continually reminded Israel of their pilgrimage status and God's constant provision, a theological truth that resonates through all generations.

* [Deuteronomy 16:13-15](/deuteronomy/16-13 "Deuteronomy 16:13-15 - Command to Rejoice at Sukkot")
* [Psalm 119:1-2](/psalm/119-1 "Psalm 119:1-2 - Blessed are Those Who Walk in God's Law")
* [Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord Always")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound joy experienced by the Israelites in Nehemiah 8:17 serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's Word and the delight found in obedience. In a world often searching for happiness in fleeting pleasures, this passage reminds us that true, lasting gladness is rooted in aligning our lives with divine truth and experiencing communal fellowship with God and His people. Like the Israelites, we are called to actively engage with Scripture, allowing it to expose areas of neglect and guide us into fuller obedience. The act of remembering God's past faithfulness, symbolized by the booths, is crucial for building trust and hope in our present circumstances. This corporate revival also highlights the importance of shared spiritual experiences and communal worship in fostering unity, strength, and a vibrant faith within the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does engaging with God's Word lead to renewed obedience and joy in our personal lives?**
* **What does "very great gladness" teach us about the relationship between obedience to God's commands and genuine spiritual fulfillment?**
* **In what ways can we intentionally remember God's faithfulness and provision in our own journey, similar to the Israelites remembering their wilderness experience?**
* **How can our communal worship and shared spiritual experiences foster deeper revival and unity within our faith community today?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) and why was its observance in Nehemiah's time so remarkable?**

Answer: The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, was one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals commanded by God in the Mosaic Law, primarily detailed in [Leviticus 23:34-43](/leviticus/23-34 "Leviticus 23:34-43 - Feast of Tabernacles Command") and [Deuteronomy 16:13-15](/deuteronomy/16-13 "Deuteronomy 16:13-15 - Command for Sukkot and Joy"). Its primary significance was twofold: first, it served as a profound historical commemoration, reminding the Israelites of God's miraculous provision and protection during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus, when they lived in temporary shelters. Second, it was a harvest festival, a time of thanksgiving for God's bountiful provision of crops. The observance in Nehemiah's time was remarkable because the text explicitly states that "since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so." This indicates that while there might have been partial or localized observances of Sukkot in the intervening centuries, this particular instance was an unprecedented, nationwide, and complete adherence to the command, marked by deep understanding, unified participation, and overwhelming joy. It signified a profound spiritual revival and national repentance after the Babylonian exile, a level of corporate commitment not seen since Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "booths" of the Feast of Tabernacles, temporary dwellings symbolizing dependence and pilgrimage, find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. While Israel remembered God's provision in the wilderness, Christ is the true Manna from heaven ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life")) and the living water ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")), providing eternal sustenance. The temporary dwelling of God among His people in the wilderness tabernacle, and later in the temple, is perfected in the incarnation, where God "tabernacled" among us in the person of Jesus Christ ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The "very great gladness" experienced by the Israelites in Nehemiah's day foreshadows the profound and everlasting joy found in Christ, who brings true liberation from sin and grants the Spirit of joy ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit")). Ultimately, the Feast of Tabernacles points forward to the new heavens and new earth, where God will permanently "tabernacle" with His people, wiping away every tear, and where there will be no more sorrow or pain, only eternal gladness in His presence ([Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with Humanity")). In Christ, we find our true and eternal dwelling place, fulfilling the temporary nature of the booths with an everlasting home.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 8:13

Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, [even] in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.

Ezra 3:4

They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as [it is] written, and [offered] the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;

2 Chronicles 7:8

Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.

2 Chronicles 7:10

And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.

2 Chronicles 35:18

And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Hebrews 11:9

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

Joshua 1:1

¶ Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,