Epiphany · Third Sunday after the Epiphany · Year C
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 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
Commentary on Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Working Preacher
A Luther Seminary commentary on Ezra's reading of the Law and the people's mix of grief and joy.
Nehemiah 8:1-10 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on the Law's public reading as an act of communal renewal.
Nehemiah 8 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse by verse evangelical commentary on Ezra's reading of the Law and the people's response.
Nehemiah 8 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep study page gathering word studies, cross references, and many expositors on Nehemiah 8.
Nehemiah 8:1 Commentaries BibleHub
A classic aggregator stacking Barnes, Gill, Ellicott, and other historic commentators verse by verse.
Background & Word Study
Overview: Ezra-Nehemiah BibleProject
An animated overview of Ezra-Nehemiah's design, framing the return from exile and rebuilding of the community.
Nehemiah 8 Interlinear BibleHub
The Hebrew text of Nehemiah 8 word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers.
Nehemiah 8:1-10 Sefaria
The Hebrew Masoretic text with the JPS translation and linked Jewish commentaries on Nehemiah 8.
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