Epiphany Season · Third Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year C
Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Ezra Reads the Law to the People
January 23, 2028
Overview & Insights
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)
Returned exiles gather as one in Jerusalem and ask Ezra to bring out the Book of the Law, which he reads aloud from daybreak to noon while Levites help the people understand it. When the people weep at hearing the Law, Nehemiah and Ezra tell them to celebrate instead, because the day is holy and the Lord's joy is their strength.
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Commentary
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah as a book of new beginnings for a people relearning who they are.
Nehemiah 8 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse reading of the public reading of the law and the people's joy.
Nehemiah 8:2 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentary on Ezra reading the law before the assembled people.
Nehemiah 8 - Barnes' Notes StudyLight
Barnes' Notes verse by verse on the reading of the law and the people's grief turned to joy.
Nehemiah 8 - Gill's Exposition StudyLight
Gill's Exposition verse by verse on the same assembly and the Levites helping the people understand.
Nehemiah 8 Commentary Precept Austin
Deep verse by verse study notes gathering many conservative scholars on the reading of the law and the people's response.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
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