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Nehemiah 8:4

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And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, [and] Meshullam.

And Ezra {H5830} the scribe {H5608} stood {H5975} upon a pulpit {H4026} of wood {H6086}, which they had made {H6213} for the purpose {H1697}; and beside {H681} him stood {H5975} Mattithiah {H4993}, and Shema {H8087}, and Anaiah {H6043}, and Urijah {H223}, and Hilkiah {H2518}, and Maaseiah {H4641}, on his right hand {H3225}; and on his left hand {H8040}, Pedaiah {H6305}, and Mishael {H4332}, and Malchiah {H4441}, and Hashum {H2828}, and Hashbadana {H2806}, Zechariah {H2148}, and Meshullam {H4918}.

'Ezra the Torah-teacher stood on a wood platform which they had made for the purpose; beside him on his right stood Mattityah, Shema, 'Anayah, Uriyah, Hilkiyah and Ma'aseiyah; while on his left were P'dayah, Misha'el, Malkiyah, Hashum, Hashbadanah, Z'kharyah and Meshulam.

Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for this occasion. At his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and at his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

Commentary

Nehemiah 8:4 vividly describes the setup for a momentous occasion in post-exilic Jerusalem: the public reading and explanation of God's Law by Ezra the scribe. This verse emphasizes the deliberate preparation and communal support surrounding this pivotal event of spiritual renewal.

Context

This verse is situated immediately after the completion of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. The people, having returned from Babylonian exile, gathered in the open square before the Water Gate, united in their desire to hear and understand the Law of Moses (Nehemiah 8:1). Ezra, a priest and a scribe deeply devoted to studying and teaching God's Law, was the chosen leader for this sacred assembly, signifying the nation's renewed commitment to their covenant with God.

Key Themes

  • Reverence for God's Word: The construction of a specific "pulpit of wood" highlights the profound respect and importance placed on the public proclamation of the Law. This elevated platform literally and symbolically raised the Word of God to a central position, making it visible and audible to the vast assembly.
  • Order and Intentionality in Worship: The meticulous arrangement, with Ezra standing on the pulpit and a specific group of leaders positioned on his right and left, demonstrates the careful planning and solemnity of this national spiritual gathering. It underscores the necessity of deliberate preparation for sacred acts of worship and instruction.
  • Communal Leadership and Support: The extensive list of names—Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, Maaseiah, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchiah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam—represents key figures, likely Levites and other prominent men, who stood by Ezra. Their presence signifies a collective commitment to spiritual guidance and the communal effort required to teach and uphold God's Law among the people. This shared responsibility is crucial for the entire community to hear and learn.

Linguistic Insights

The term "pulpit" used here is translated from the Hebrew word migdal, which means "tower" or "platform." This suggests a substantial, purpose-built structure, not merely a small stand, designed to ensure Ezra could be seen and heard by the large crowd. Ezra's title, "the scribe" (Hebrew: sopher), denotes more than just a copyist; it refers to an expert in the Law, a teacher, and an authoritative interpreter of God's commands, underscoring his crucial role in this revival.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 8:4 serves as a timeless reminder of the enduring significance of God's Word and its accessible teaching. It emphasizes the importance of prepared and reverent leadership in spiritual matters, calling those who teach to diligently study and present God's truth clearly. The presence of numerous assistants highlights the value of collaborative ministry and the support systems necessary for effective spiritual guidance. This verse encourages believers today to prioritize the public and communal reading of Scripture, fostering a deeper understanding and application of its principles for spiritual growth and transformation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Nehemiah 10:18 (2 votes)

    Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,

  • Ezra 10:29 (2 votes)

    And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.

  • Nehemiah 11:7 (2 votes)

    And these [are] the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah.

  • Nehemiah 12:13 (2 votes)

    Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;

  • Nehemiah 11:5 (2 votes)

    And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.

  • Nehemiah 10:20 (2 votes)

    Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,

  • Nehemiah 10:25 (2 votes)

    Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,