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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Nehemiah 8:2–8

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
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.
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 opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

33 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 2

  1. Leviticus 23:24Rank 1 from verse 2
    Open

    24Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

  2. Malachi 2:7Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    7For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

  3. Numbers 29:1Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    1AND in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.

  4. Acts 15:21Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

  5. Deuteronomy 17:18Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    18And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:

From verse 3

  1. Revelation 3:22Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

  2. Hebrews 2:1–3Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    1THEREFORE we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

    2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

    3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

  3. Luke 4:16–20Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    16¶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

    17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

    18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

    19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

    20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

  4. Revelation 2:29Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    29He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:13Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

From verse 4

  1. Ezra 10:29Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    29And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.

  2. Ezra 10:33Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    33Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.

  3. Nehemiah 10:18Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    18Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,

  4. Nehemiah 10:20Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    20Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,

  5. Nehemiah 10:25Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    25Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,

From verse 5

  1. Judges 3:20Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    20And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.

  2. 1 Kings 8:14Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    14And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)

  3. Luke 4:16–17Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    16¶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

    17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

From verse 6

  1. 1 Timothy 2:8Rank 1 from verse 6
    Open

    8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

  2. Lamentations 3:41Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    41Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

  3. Exodus 4:31Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    31And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

  4. 2 Chronicles 20:18Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    18And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord.

  5. Revelation 7:11Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    11And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

From verse 7

  1. Nehemiah 9:4Rank 1 from verse 7
    Open

    4¶ Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the Lord their God.

  2. Leviticus 10:11Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    11And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.

  3. Ezra 10:22–23Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    22And of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah.

    23Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.

  4. Nehemiah 3:23Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    23After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.

  5. Malachi 2:7Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    7For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

From verse 8

  1. Luke 24:45Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

  2. Acts 28:23Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    23And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

  3. Acts 17:2–3Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

    3Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

  4. Acts 8:30–35Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

    31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

    32The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

    33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

    34And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

    35Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

  5. Habakkuk 2:2Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    2And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Nehemiah 8:2

COMBINED MEANING

priest

↗

One appointed to sacred service, ministering in things pertaining to God or a deity, especially by offering gifts or sacrifices.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

congregation

↗

1. A gathered assembly, company, or community of people, or the people considered together as a body. 2. In the fixed expressions "tabernacle of the congregation" and "tent of the congregation," part of the name of the appointed meeting place.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hear

↗

Sense 1: To perceive sound or spoken words. Sense 2: To receive or learn by report. Sense 3: To listen to, regard, or heed. Sense 4: To attend favourably to a request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

understanding

↗

1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

day

↗

Sense 1: Light or the period of light between morning and evening, as distinguished from night. Sense 2: A complete daily cycle. Sense 3: A specified time, occasion, period, age, or season.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Nehemiah 8:3

COMBINED MEANING

read

↗

To perceive and understand written words, whether silently or by uttering them aloud.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

therein

↗

In, within, during, or concerning that place, person, thing, condition, time, or matter previously mentioned.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

water

↗

Sense 1: The common liquid necessary for life. Sense 2: As a verb, to supply with water, irrigate, or cause to drink.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

morning

↗

Sense 1: The beginning or early part of the day, including hours before daylight. Sense 2: The dawn or a beginning compared with dawn.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ears

↗

Plural form of ear. Sense 1: The organ of hearing. Sense 2: The seed-bearing head of grain.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Nehemiah 8:4

COMBINED MEANING

scribe

↗

A writer or clerk; among the Jews, one learned in and teaching the law.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

right

↗

1. Correct, just, upright, proper, lawful, fitting, true, or due; also a rightful claim or authority. 2. The direction or side opposite the left. 3. Straight, favourable, skilful, or approved. 4. Very, quite, or fully.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hand

↗

Sense 1: The part of the body at the end of the arm. Sense 2: Figuratively, power, possession, aid, or agency.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

left

↗

Sense 1: Past tense and past participle of leave: departed, abandoned, allowed to remain, or caused to remain. Sense 2: The direction or side opposite the right.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Nehemiah 8:5

COMBINED MEANING

opened

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of open, meaning to uncover, reveal, or explain.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sight

↗

1. The act or power of seeing. 2. A thing seen, view, or appearance. 3. Presence or observation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Nehemiah 8:6

COMBINED MEANING

blessed

↗

1. Favoured by God, endowed with good, or declared happy. 2. Spoke good of, praised, thanked, or bestowed a blessing upon.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

answered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of answer, meaning to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

lifting

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of lift. Sense 1: To raise, bear up, or elevate physically. Sense 2: To direct upward or raise in expression, as the eyes, hands, voice, soul, prayer, or countenance. Sense 3: To exalt, restore, strengthen, or raise in condition or honour. Sense 4: To raise or wield against, as a hand, tool, weapon, or standard. Sense 5: In lift from off, to remove or take away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bowed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of bow. Sense 1: To bend or incline the head, knees, face, or body downward. Sense 2: To make a bodily act of reverence or worship.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ground

↗

Sense 1: The soil, earth, land, floor, or supporting surface. Sense 2: Figuratively, a basis, support, or foundation. Sense 3: Crushed or reduced to small particles by grinding.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Nehemiah 8:7

COMBINED MEANING

Levites

↗

Members of the tribe of Levi, especially those appointed to service connected with the tabernacle or temple.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

caused

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of cause, meaning to make something happen.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

place

↗

Sense 1: A physical location or room. Sense 2: A position or office. Sense 3: An occasion, circumstance, or passage. Sense 4: To set, fix, locate, or establish.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Nehemiah 8:8

COMBINED MEANING

read

↗

To perceive and understand written words, whether silently or by uttering them aloud.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

gave

↗

1. Bestowed, delivered, or granted. 2. Caused or appointed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

caused

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of cause, meaning to make something happen.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

reading

↗

Pronouncing or perusing written or printed words or characters of a book or writing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

FOLLOW THE THEME

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Surrounding Verses

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1AND 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.

2And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

Selected passage

3And 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.

Selected passage

4And 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.

Selected passage

5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

Selected passage

6And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Selected passage

7Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

Selected passage

8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

Selected passage

9¶ And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

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