Nehemiah 8:17

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Context

Nehemiah 8:17 describes a pivotal moment of spiritual revival and national restoration in post-exilic Jerusalem. Following the return from Babylonian captivity, under the leadership of Nehemiah and the spiritual guidance of Ezra the scribe, the people had gathered to hear the Law of God read aloud (as detailed in Nehemiah 8:1). Upon understanding the commands, they discovered the neglected ordinance of observing the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Revival: The verse highlights a profound act of obedience to God's commandments, specifically the Feast of Tabernacles, which had been largely unobserved or incompletely observed for centuries. This comprehensive observance signals a deep spiritual renewal among the returned exiles.
  • Joy in the Lord: The phrase "very great gladness" underscores that true joy comes from aligning one's life with God's will and commands. It's a joy rooted in understanding, repentance, and communal worship, as also emphasized in Nehemiah 8:10, "the joy of the LORD is your strength."
  • Remembrance and Dependence: The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) commanded in Leviticus 23:34-43, required the people to live in temporary shelters or "booths" for seven days. This act served as a powerful reminder of God's provision and protection during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "booths" is sukkot (Χ‘Φ»Χ›ΦΌΧ•ΦΉΧͺ), which is the plural form of sukkah. These were temporary shelters, often made from branches and leaves, signifying the provisional dwellings of the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The very act of constructing and dwelling in these sukkot was a physical and symbolic act of remembrance and humility before God.

Historical Significance

The profound statement "since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so" is highly significant. "Jeshua the son of Nun" refers to Joshua, the successor of Moses who led the Israelites into the Promised Land (see Joshua 1:1). This indicates that the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles in Nehemiah's time was the most complete, widespread, and authentic since the initial settlement in Canaan. It wasn't just a partial observance but a national commitment, reflecting a deep, corporate spiritual awakening that had not been seen for nearly a millennium.

Practical Application

  • The Power of God's Word: This passage demonstrates how the reading and understanding of God's Word can lead to profound transformation and renewed obedience. When we engage with scripture, we discover God's will and are empowered to live it out.
  • Joy in Obedience: The "very great gladness" experienced by the Israelites reminds us that obedience to God's commands is not burdensome but leads to genuine, lasting joy. Living in alignment with divine truth brings peace and fulfillment.
  • Remembering God's Faithfulness: Like the Israelites remembering their wilderness journey, we are called to remember God's past faithfulness and provision in our own lives. This builds trust and strengthens our faith for the future.
  • Communal Worship and Revival: The communal aspect of this observance highlights the importance of corporate worship and shared spiritual experiences in fostering revival and strengthening the community of faith.
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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

    ΒΆ 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,
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