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Nehemiah 8:16

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So the people went forth, and brought [them], and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

So the people {H5971} went forth {H3318}, and brought {H935} them, and made {H6213} themselves booths {H5521}, every one {H376} upon the roof of his house {H1406}, and in their courts {H2691}, and in the courts {H2691} of the house {H1004} of God {H430}, and in the street {H7339} of the water {H4325} gate {H8179}, and in the street {H7339} of the gate {H8179} of Ephraim {H669}.

So the people went out, brought them and made sukkot for themselves, each one on the roof of his house, also in their courtyards, in the courtyards of the house of God, in the open space by the Water Gate and in the open space by the Efrayim Gate.

And the people went out, brought back branches, and made booths on their own rooftops, in their courtyards, in the court of the house of God, and in the squares by the Water Gate and by the Gate of Ephraim.

So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.

Commentary

Nehemiah 8:16 describes the immediate and widespread response of the people of Israel to the rediscovered command concerning the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). After hearing the Law read by Ezra, they diligently followed the instructions to construct temporary shelters, transforming Jerusalem into a vibrant, unified camp.

Context

This verse is situated within a pivotal moment in the post-exilic history of Israel. Following their return from Babylonian captivity, the people had gathered in Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah and the spiritual guidance of Ezra. In Nehemiah 8:1-8, Ezra publicly read the Law of Moses to the assembled people, who listened attentively for several hours. This reading brought conviction and sorrow, but also a renewed commitment to God's commands. As they continued to study the Law, they discovered the specific instructions for observing the Feast of Tabernacles (Nehemiah 8:14-15), which had not been properly celebrated since the days of Joshua.

Nehemiah 8:16 details the swift and collective obedience: the people went out, gathered the required branches (as instructed in Nehemiah 8:15), and built booths (sukkot) on their rooftops, in their courtyards, within the Temple courts, and even in the public streets near the Water Gate and the Gate of Ephraim. This widespread construction signifies the entire community's participation in this act of worship and remembrance.

Key Themes

  • Immediate Obedience: The verse highlights the people's prompt and thorough response to God's revealed will. There was no delay or partial compliance; they fully embraced the command. This demonstrates the transformative power of God's Word when it is heard and heeded.
  • The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): This festival, commanded in Leviticus 23:42-43 and Deuteronomy 16:13-15, was a joyous commemoration of God's provision and protection during Israel's forty years of wandering in the wilderness, where they dwelt in temporary shelters. It also looked forward to the Messianic age.
  • Community and Unity: The act of building booths was a communal effort, uniting the people across all social strata and physical locations within the city. This shared experience fostered a sense of solidarity and collective worship.
  • Remembrance and Humility: Dwelling in temporary shelters served as a tangible reminder of their ancestors' nomadic life and God's faithfulness in sustaining them through challenging times. It instilled humility and reliance on divine providence.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "booths" is sukkot (סֻכּוֹת), which literally means "shelters," "huts," or "tabernacles." These were temporary dwellings made from branches and leaves, designed to provide shade but not permanent protection, emphasizing the transient nature of life in the wilderness. The festival itself is known as Sukkot, named after these temporary dwellings.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 8:16 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Joyful Obedience: The people's enthusiastic response to an ancient command reminds us that obedience to God's Word should be a source of joy, not a burden.
  • Remembering God's Faithfulness: Just as the Israelites remembered God's provision in the wilderness, we are called to recall and celebrate God's past faithfulness in our own lives, building our faith for the future.
  • Visible Faith: Their public act of building booths made their faith visible to all. Our faith, too, should be evident in our actions and lifestyle, serving as a testimony to others.
  • The Importance of Scripture: This entire chapter underscores the vital role of God's Word in spiritual revival and transformation. When the Bible is read, understood, and obeyed, it leads to genuine repentance and renewed commitment.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 14:13 (5 votes)

    And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.

  • Nehemiah 12:39 (5 votes)

    And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.

  • Nehemiah 12:37 (4 votes)

    And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.

  • Nehemiah 3:26 (4 votes)

    Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto [the place] over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.

  • Jeremiah 32:29 (3 votes)

    And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.

  • Nehemiah 8:3 (3 votes)

    And he read therein before the street that [was] before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people [were attentive] unto the book of the law.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:5 (2 votes)

    And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.