Nehemiah 8:3

So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Ezra reads the Book of the Law aloud from daybreak until noon at the square before the Water Gate. He addresses the assembled men, women, and all who can understand, while the entire people listen attentively.

The words — וַ/יִּקְרָא־ (va/i.yik.ra'-) translates to "and he read aloud," marking a public proclamation. לִ/פְנֵ֨י הָ/רְח֜וֹב (li/f.Nei ha./re.Chov) means "before the open space," specifying the exact public location of the gathering.

The thread — The text's emphasis on sustained attention to Scripture runs into Hebrews 2:1, which commands readers to pay closer attention to what they have heard. Revelation 3:22 echoes this structural pattern by tying hearing to spiritual response.

Why it lands — The passage requires readers to treat the written Word as an object of focused, communal engagement rather than casual observation. It asks for deliberate comprehension and obedience from every demographic present.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Revelation 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Luke 4:16 Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read,
Hebrews 2:1 We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Revelation 2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Matthew 7:28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching,
Mark 12:37 David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?” And the large crowd listened to Him with delight.
Luke 8:18 Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
Luke 19:48 Yet they could not find a way to do so, because all the people hung on His words.
Acts 13:15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.”
Acts 13:27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.