Bible Strands
Nehemiah 8:4
Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for this occasion. At his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and at his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Ezra the scribe stands on a specially constructed wooden platform at the Water Gate, flanked by six men on his right and nine on his left, preparing to address the assembled crowd after a morning reading session.
The words — The Hebrew מִגְדַּל עֵץ (migdal etz) literally renders as "wooden tower" or "high platform of wood," describing the elevated structure built specifically for this public reading.
The thread — The officials positioned beside Ezra reappear in Nehemiah 10:3 and Ezra 10:29–33 as signatories of the covenant renewal and leaders in the post-exilic community.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that public Scripture reading demands visible authority, deliberate preparation, and communal attention before any instruction or response occurs.
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 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.
Cross-references
- Ezra 10:29 From the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth.
- Ezra 10:33 From the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.
- Nehemiah 10:3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,
- Nehemiah 10:7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
- Nehemiah 10:18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,
- Nehemiah 10:20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
- Nehemiah 10:25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
- Nehemiah 11:5 and Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, a descendant of Shelah.
- Nehemiah 11:7 From the descendants of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah;
- Nehemiah 12:13 of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;