Nehemiah 8:4

And Ezra the scribe, stood vpon 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. Nehemiah 8:4 (KJV)

Nehemiah was a Jewish leader who played a vital role in the restoration of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, and in the previous chapter the returned exiles completed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 8 the people gather to hear the reading and explanation of the Law of Moses. Verse 1 of Nehemiah 8 sets the scene: “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate, and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.”

In verse 4 we see Ezra the scribe standing on a wooden platform or pulpit that had been built for the purpose. Beside him stood, on his right hand, Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah (also rendered Anaijah), Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and on his left hand stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchiah (also rendered Malchijah), Hashum, and the additional name Hashbadana (or Heshbazzar/Hashabda), together with Zechariah and Meshullam. The specific ordering underscores the solemnity of the occasion.

This gathering was a momentous occasion. The people were eager to hear the Law of Moses being read and explained, having been without it during their years of exile, and Ezra, as a skilled scribe and teacher, took on the responsibility of leading the event.

Continuing from verse 4, verse 5 records that Ezra opened the book of the law before all the people, and as he did so they all stood up, a gesture of reverence and respect for God’s Word. In verse 6 Ezra blessed the LORD, and the assembly responded “Amen, Amen!” while lifting their hands and bowing their heads in worship.

The Levites present among the people then helped to instruct and guide the crowd, ensuring that everyone understood what was being read. Verse 8 states, “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”

The people’s response was one of great emotion. Verse 9 describes how they wept upon hearing the words of the Law, yet Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites encouraged them not to mourn but to celebrate, for the day was holy to the Lord. They were urged to feast, rejoice, and share with those who had nothing prepared.

In verse 10 Nehemiah exhorts, “Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Thus the event serves as a turning point for the people. Through the reading and understanding of God’s Word they were renewed in their commitment to the Lord, finding joy and strength in His presence. The passage underscores the significance of the Word of God in the lives of His people and highlights the responsibility of spiritual leaders to teach and explain it.