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Nehemiah 8:3-5
New English Translation
Nehemiah 8:3-5
New English Translation
3 So he read it before the plaza in front of the Water Gate from dawn till noon[a] before the men and women and those children who could understand.[b] All the people were eager to hear[c] the book of the law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a towering wooden platform[d] constructed for this purpose. Standing near him on his right were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Masseiah. On his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 Ezra opened the book in plain view[e] of all the people, for he was elevated above all the people. When he opened the book,[f] all the people stood up.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Nehemiah 8:3 tn Heb “from the light till the noon of the day.”
- Nehemiah 8:3 tn Heb “all who could hear with understanding.” The word “children” is understood to be implied here by a number of English versions (e.g., NAB, TEV, NLT).
- Nehemiah 8:3 tn Heb “the ears of all the people were toward.”
- Nehemiah 8:4 tn Heb “a tower of wood.”
- Nehemiah 8:5 tn Heb “to the eyes.”
- Nehemiah 8:5 tn Heb “it”; the referent (the book) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
Nehemiah 8:3-5
New International Version
Nehemiah 8:3-5
New International Version
3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate(A) in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform(B) built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing(C) above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.
New English Translation (NET)
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