Nehemiah 8:10 Then Nehemiah told them, "Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

◄ Nehemiah 8:10 ►

New International Version
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

New Living Translation
And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

English Standard Version
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

King James Bible
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

New King James Version
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

New American Standard Bible
Then he said to them, “Go, eat the festival foods, drink the sweet drinks, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your refuge.”

NASB 1995
Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

NASB 1977
Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.”

Amplified Bible
Then Ezra said to them, “Go [your way], eat the rich festival food, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be worried, for the joy of the LORD is your strength and your stronghold.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your stronghold.”

American Standard Version
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.

Contemporary English Version
Nehemiah told the people, "Enjoy your good food and wine and share some with those who didn't have anything to bring. Don't be sad! This is a special day for the LORD, and he will make you happy and strong."

English Revised Version
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he told them, "Go, eat rich foods, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who cannot provide for themselves. Today is a holy day for the Lord. Don't be sad because the joy you have in the LORD is your strength."

Good News Translation
Now go home and have a feast. Share your food and wine with those who don't have enough. Today is holy to our Lord, so don't be sad. The joy that the LORD gives you will make you strong."

International Standard Version
He also told them, "Go eat the best food, drink the best wine, and give something to those who have nothing, since this day is holy to our Lord. Don't be sorrowful, because the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Majority Standard Bible
Then Nehemiah told them, ?Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.?

NET Bible
He said to them, "Go and eat delicacies and drink sweet drinks and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared. For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

New Heart English Bible
Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy to our Lord: neither be ye sad; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

World English Bible
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And he says to them, “Go, eat fat things, and drink sweet things, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today [is] holy to our Lord, and do not be grieved, for the joy of YHWH is your strength.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith to them, 'Go, eat fat things, and drink sweet things, and sent portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for to-day is holy to our Lord, and be not grieved, for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to them, Go ye; eat fatnesses, and drink sweetnesses, and send portions to him for whom nothing was prepared: for the day is holy to our Lord: and ye shall not grieve, for the joy of Jehovah this is your strength.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to them: Go, eat fat meats, and drink sweet wine, and send portions to them that have not prepared for themselves: because it is the holy day of the Lord, and be not sad: for the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them: “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have not prepared for themselves. For it is the holy day of the Lord. And do not be sad. For the joy of the Lord is also our strength.”

New American Bible
He continued: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD is your strength!”

New Revised Standard Version
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our LORD; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then he said to them, Go your way, eat and drink and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to the LORD; and do not be sad, for this is a day of joy of the LORD, and he will be your strength.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to them: “Go, eat and drink and send food to him for whom nothing is prepared, because today is holy before LORD JEHOVAH. You shall not sorrow for yourselves, because the day is of LORD JEHOVAH’s joy, and he shall be your helper!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Then he said unto them: 'Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord; neither be ye grieved; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the governor said to them, Go, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them that have nothing; for the day is holy to our Lord: and faint not, for the Lord is our strength.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Ezra Reads the Law
…9Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law. 10Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11And the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Do not grieve.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

John 15:11
I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice at all times. / Pray without ceasing. / Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Habakkuk 3:18
yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Psalm 33:1
Rejoice in the LORD, O righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.

Psalm 126:2-3
Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” / The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

Treasury of Scripture

Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy to our LORD: neither be you sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Go your way

Ecclesiastes 2:24
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:13
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:18
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

eat

Song of Solomon 5:1
I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

send

Deuteronomy 26:11-13
And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you…

Esther 9:19,22
Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another…

Job 31:16-18
If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; …

the joy

Psalm 28:7,8
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him…

Psalm 149:2
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

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Nehemiah 8

1. The reverent manner of reading and hearing the law
9. They comfort the people
13. The eagerness of the people to hear and be instructed
16. They keep the feast of tabernacles

Berean Study Bible

Then he said to them
This phrase indicates a direct communication from Nehemiah, the governor, to the people. Nehemiah, a leader with a heart for God, speaks with authority and compassion. Historically, Nehemiah was instrumental in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, and his leadership extended to spiritual renewal. His words here are not just instructions but a call to embrace a new understanding of God's provision and joy.

Go, eat the rich festival food
The Hebrew word for "festival" (חָג, chag) implies a time of celebration and joy. In the context of ancient Israel, festivals were times of communal gathering, remembrance, and worship. The instruction to eat "rich festival food" signifies a departure from mourning to celebration, reflecting God's abundant provision. It is a reminder of the feasts commanded in the Law, where God's people were to rejoice in His presence.

drink the sweet drinks
The phrase "sweet drinks" suggests a time of enjoyment and delight. In ancient times, sweet drinks, possibly wine or other beverages, were associated with celebration and blessing. This instruction emphasizes the shift from sorrow to joy, highlighting the goodness of God's creation and His desire for His people to experience His blessings fully.

and send portions to those who have nothing prepared
This directive underscores the importance of community and generosity. The act of sending portions to those in need reflects the biblical principle of caring for the less fortunate. It echoes the teachings of the Law, where provision for the poor and the stranger was a sign of a righteous community. This act of sharing ensures that everyone participates in the joy of the Lord, reinforcing the unity and love among God's people.

since today is holy to our Lord
The word "holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh) signifies something set apart for God. The day being "holy" indicates a special time dedicated to the Lord, a time to focus on His presence and purposes. In the Jewish calendar, holy days were times of rest, reflection, and worship. This holiness calls the people to recognize God's sovereignty and to respond with reverence and joy.

Do not grieve
The command to "not grieve" is a call to shift from sorrow to joy. In the context of Nehemiah, the people had been weeping upon hearing the Law, realizing their shortcomings. However, Nehemiah encourages them to embrace God's forgiveness and grace. This reflects the biblical theme of repentance leading to restoration and joy, a reminder that God's mercy triumphs over judgment.

for the joy of the LORD is your strength
This profound statement highlights the source of true strength: the joy of the LORD. The Hebrew word for "joy" (חֶדְוָה, chedvah) conveys a sense of gladness and delight. This joy is not based on circumstances but on the relationship with God. It is a divine joy that empowers and sustains. The "strength" (מָעוֹז, ma'oz) refers to a place of refuge and protection. Thus, the joy of the LORD provides spiritual fortitude, enabling believers to face challenges with confidence and hope.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) For the joy of the Lord is your strength This beautiful sentence is, literally, delight in Jehovah is a strong refuge. It is capable of unlimited application in preaching and devotion.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 10. - Then he said. Either Ezra or Nehemiah, but probably the former, to whom it appertained to give religious directions. Eat the fat and drink the sweet. i.e. "Go and enjoy yourselves, eat and drink of the best - let there be no fasting, nor even abstinence, on such a day as this." But at the same time send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared. Make the poor partakers of your joy. "The stranger, the fatherless, and the widow" should have their part in the feast (Deuteronomy 16:14). And for yourselves, remember that the joy of the Lord, i.e. religious joy, constitutes your strength.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then [Nehemiah] told
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them,
לָהֶ֡ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

“Go
לְכוּ֩ (lə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

and eat
אִכְל֨וּ (’iḵ·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

what is rich,
מַשְׁמַנִּ֜ים (maš·man·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4924: Fat, fatness, a rich dish, a fertile field, a robust man

drink
וּשְׁת֣וּ (ū·šə·ṯū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

what is sweet,
מַֽמְתַקִּ֗ים (mam·ṯaq·qîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4477: Sweetness, sweet things

and send out
וְשִׁלְח֤וּ (wə·šil·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

portions
מָנוֹת֙ (mā·nō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4490: Something weighed out, a division, a ration, a lot

to those who have nothing
לְאֵ֣ין (lə·’ên)
Preposition-l | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

prepared,
נָכ֣וֹן (nā·ḵō·wn)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

since
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

today
הַיּ֖וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

is holy
קָד֥וֹשׁ (qā·ḏō·wōš)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6918: Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

to our Lord.
לַאֲדֹנֵ֑ינוּ (la·’ă·ḏō·nê·nū)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 136: The Lord

Do not
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

grieve,
תֵּ֣עָצֵ֔בוּ (tê·‘ā·ṣê·ḇū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6087: To carve, fabricate, fashion, to worry, pain, anger

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the joy
חֶדְוַ֥ת (ḥeḏ·waṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2304: Rejoicing

of the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is
הִ֥יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

your strength.?
מָֽעֻזְּכֶֽם׃ (mā·‘uz·zə·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4581: A place or means of safety, protection

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OT History: Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them Go your (Neh Ne)