Nehemiah 8:15
New International Version
and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters"—as it is written.

New Living Translation
He had said that a proclamation should be made throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, telling the people to go to the hills to get branches from olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees. They were to use these branches to make shelters in which they would live during the festival, as prescribed in the Law.

English Standard Version
and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, “Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.”

Berean Standard Bible
So they proclaimed this message and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.”

King James Bible
And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.

New King James Version
and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.”

New American Standard Bible
And that they were to proclaim and circulate a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of other trees with thick branches, to make booths, as it is written.”

NASB 1995
So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.”

NASB 1977
So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches, and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.”

Legacy Standard Bible
and that they should make the report heard and make a proclamation of it pass throughout all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.”

Amplified Bible
So they proclaimed and published an announcement in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hills and bring olive branches, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy branches to make booths, as it is written.”

Christian Standard Bible
So they proclaimed and spread this news throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make shelters, just as it is written.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So they proclaimed and spread this news throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, just as it is written.”

American Standard Version
and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.

Contemporary English Version
They also learned that they were to go into the woods and gather branches of leafy trees such as olives, myrtles, and palms for making these shelters.

English Revised Version
and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They should announce this command and send this message throughout all their cities and Jerusalem: "Go to the mountains, and get branches-olive and wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other thick-leaved branches-to make booths as it is written."

Good News Translation
So they gave the following instructions and sent them all through Jerusalem and the other cities and towns: "Go out to the hills and get branches from pines, olives, myrtles, palms, and other trees to make shelters according to the instructions written in the Law."

International Standard Version
So they circulated a proclamation throughout their towns and in Jerusalem. It said, "Go out to the hill country and bring back olive branches, wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of mature trees, in order to set up tents, as has been written."

Majority Standard Bible
So they proclaimed this message and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.”

NET Bible
and that they should make a proclamation and disseminate this message in all their cities and in Jerusalem: "Go to the hill country and bring back olive branches and branches of wild olive trees, myrtle trees, date palms, and other leafy trees to construct temporary shelters, as it is written."

New Heart English Bible
and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, "Go out to the mountain, and get olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written."

Webster's Bible Translation
And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth to the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.

World English Bible
and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and get olive branches, branches of wild olive, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make temporary shelters, as it is written.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and that they proclaim and cause to pass over all their cities (and in Jerusalem), saying, “Go out to the mountain, and bring leaves of the olive, and leaves of the oil tree, and leaves of the myrtle, and leaves of the palms, and leaves of thick trees, to make shelters as it is written.”

Young's Literal Translation
and that they proclaim and cause to pass over all their cities, (and in Jerusalem,) saying, 'Go ye out to the mount, and bring leaves of the olive, and leaves of the oil tree, and leaves of the myrtle, and leaves of the palms, and leaves of thick trees, to make booths as it is written.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And that they will cause to hear and will cause a voice to pass over in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go ye forth to the mountain and bring leaves of olive, and leaves of the tree of oil, and leaves of myrtle, and leaves of palms, and leaves of the tree interwoven, to make booths according to the writing.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And that they should proclaim and publish the word in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying: Go forth to the mount, and fetch branches of olive, and branches of beautiful wood, branches of myrtle, and branches of palm, and branches of thick trees, to make tabernacles, as it is written.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and that they should proclaim and send out a voice in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying: “Go forth to the mount, and bring olive branches, and the branches of beautiful trees, myrtle branches, and palm branches, and the branches of thick trees,” so that they might make tabernacles, just as it was written.

New American Bible
and that they should have this proclamation made throughout their cities and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring in branches of olive, oleaster, myrtle, palm, and other trees in leaf, to make booths, as it is written.”

New Revised Standard Version
and that they should publish and proclaim in all their towns and in Jerusalem as follows, “Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And that they should hear everything which Moses wrote in the book of the law; and the heralds proclaimed throughout all towns and in Jerusalem, saying, Go up to the mountain and bring olive branches and walnut branches and palm branches and branches of citrons and branches of willow trees, and make booths, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And that they would hear everything that Moshe wrote in the Torah, Heralds summoned in all their cities and in Jerusalem and they were saying: “Come up to the mountain! Bring trees of olives and trees of walnuts and the leaves of palm trees and the leaves of citron trees and branches of willows and make shelters, just as it is written in the book of the Law of Moshe!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying: 'Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and that they should sound with trumpets in all their cities, and in Jerusalem. And Esdras said, Go forth to the mountain, and bring branches of olive, and branches of cypress trees, and branches of myrtle, and branches of palm trees, and branches of every thick tree, to make booths, according to that which was written.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Feast of Tabernacles
14And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month. 15 So they proclaimed this message and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” 16And the people went out, brought back branches, and made booths on their own rooftops, in their courtyards, in the court of the house of God, and in the squares by the Water Gate and by the Gate of Ephraim.…

Cross References
Leviticus 23:40
On the first day you are to gather the fruit of majestic trees, the branches of palm trees, and the boughs of leafy trees and of willows of the brook. And you are to rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

Deuteronomy 16:13-15
You are to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. / And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. / For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete.

Zechariah 14:16-19
Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. / And should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, then the rain will not fall on them. / And if the people of Egypt will not go up and enter in, then the rain will not fall on them; this will be the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. ...

John 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” / He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Leviticus 23:34-36
“Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Feast of Tabernacles to the LORD begins, and it continues for seven days. / On the first day there shall be a sacred assembly. You must not do any regular work. / For seven days you are to present a food offering to the LORD. On the eighth day you are to hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work.

Exodus 23:16
You are also to keep the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field. And keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field.

2 Chronicles 8:13
He observed the daily requirement for offerings according to the commandment of Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons, and the three annual appointed feasts—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

Deuteronomy 31:10-13
Then Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of remission of debt, during the Feast of Tabernacles, / when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. / Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law. ...

Ezra 3:4
They also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in accordance with what is written, and they offered burnt offerings daily based on the number prescribed for each day.

Numbers 29:12-38
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days. / As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a food offering, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, / along with the grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil with each of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths of an ephah with each of the two rams, ...

1 Kings 8:2
And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim.

2 Chronicles 7:8-10
So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a very great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast for seven days. / On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for the dedication of the altar had lasted seven days, and the feast seven days more. / On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon sent the people away to their homes, joyful and glad of heart for the good things that the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for His people Israel.

Isaiah 30:29
You will sing as on the night of a holy festival, and your heart will rejoice like one who walks to the music of a flute, going up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel.

Matthew 21:8-9
A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. / The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Mark 11:8-10
Many in the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields. / The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” / “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!”


Treasury of Scripture

And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth to the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.

And that

Leviticus 23:4
These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

in Jerusalem

Deuteronomy 16:16
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

the mount

Judges 9:48,49
And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done

Matthew 21:1
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

fetch

Leviticus 23:40
And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

olive

Genesis 8:11
And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.

palm

John 12:13
Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Revelation 7:9
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

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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














So they proclaimed this message
The act of proclamation here is significant. The Hebrew root for "proclaimed" is "קָרָא" (qara), which means to call out or announce. This reflects the importance of public declaration in the Jewish tradition, emphasizing the communal aspect of faith and obedience. Historically, proclamations were a means to ensure that the entire community was aware of God's commands, fostering unity and collective action.

in all their cities and in Jerusalem
The inclusion of "all their cities and in Jerusalem" underscores the widespread nature of this command. Jerusalem, being the spiritual and political center, held a special place, but the message was not confined to it alone. This highlights the inclusive nature of God's instructions, reaching every part of the community. It reflects the historical context of post-exilic Israel, where re-establishing religious practices was crucial for national identity.

Go out into the hill country
The "hill country" refers to the regions surrounding Jerusalem, known for their varied flora. The Hebrew term "הַר" (har) for hill or mountain often symbolizes a place of encounter with God, as seen in other biblical narratives. This directive to go out signifies an active participation in God's command, a physical movement that mirrors spiritual obedience.

and bring back branches
The act of bringing back branches is a tangible expression of obedience. The Hebrew word "בָּא" (bo) means to come or bring, indicating a return with purpose. This action is a physical manifestation of faith, reminiscent of the Israelites' journey and their reliance on God's provision.

of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees
Each type of branch mentioned has symbolic significance. The olive tree, known for its oil, represents peace and anointing. The wild olive, or "עֵץ שָׂמֵן" (etz shemen), signifies the inclusion of the Gentiles, as seen in Paul's writings. Myrtle, or "הֲדַס" (hadas), symbolizes love and marriage, often associated with the Feast of Tabernacles. The palm, or "תָּמָר" (tamar), is a symbol of victory and triumph. These branches collectively represent the diversity and richness of God's creation and His provision.

to make booths
The making of booths, or "סֻכּוֹת" (sukkot), is central to the Feast of Tabernacles, a time of remembrance for the Israelites' wilderness journey. This practice is a physical reminder of God's protection and provision. Historically, it served to reconnect the people with their past, fostering gratitude and dependence on God.

as it is written
This phrase emphasizes adherence to Scripture, highlighting the authority of God's Word. The Hebrew "כַּכָּתוּב" (kakatuv) means "as written," underscoring the importance of scriptural fidelity. It reflects a conservative Christian perspective that values the Bible as the ultimate guide for faith and practice, encouraging believers to align their lives with biblical teachings.

(15) Saying.--There is no such command in Leviticus; the Septuagint inserts, "And Ezra spake." But it is better to adopt Houbigant's slight emendation of the text, which thus runs: "And when they heard it, they proclaimed," &c. The command, then, is to go out to the Mount of Olives, and gather, not precisely the branches which the ancient law required, but such as circumstances allowed.

Verse 15. - And that they should publish. See Leviticus 23:4. Saying, Go forth, etc. These words are not found in any existing Scripture, and some corruption of the present text may therefore be suspected. The Septuagint interposes, between "Jerusalem" and "Go forth," the words "And Esdras said," which would remove the difficulty; but it is difficult to understand how Ezra's name should have fallen out. Perhaps Houbigant is right in his suggestion of an emendation, by which the verse would run thus: - "And when they heard it, they proclaimed in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth," etc. Into the mountain. i.e. the neighbouring mountain, the Mount of Olives. Pine branches. Rather "oleaster branches." Branches of thick trees. The same expression is used in Leviticus 23:40, the meaning in each place being uncertain. Perhaps trees with thick, viscous leaves are intended. It is remark- able that two of the trees commanded in Leviticus are omitted, viz., the hadar and the "willow of the brook," while three not mentioned in Leviticus - the olive, oleaster, and myrtle - are added.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So they proclaimed
יַשְׁמִ֗יעוּ (yaš·mî·‘ū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

this message
ק֥וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

and spread [it]
וְיַעֲבִ֨ירוּ (wə·ya·‘ă·ḇî·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

throughout
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

their towns
עָרֵיהֶם֮ (‘ā·rê·hem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

and in Jerusalem,
וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֣ם (ū·ḇî·rū·šā·lim)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

saying,
לֵאמֹר֒ (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Go out
צְא֣וּ (ṣə·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to the hill country
הָהָ֗ר (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

and bring back
וְהָבִ֙יאוּ֙ (wə·hā·ḇî·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

branches
עֲלֵי־ (‘ă·lê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5929: A leaf, foliage

of olive,
זַ֙יִת֙ (za·yiṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2132: An olive, the tree, the branch, the berry

wild olive,
שֶׁ֔מֶן (še·men)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness

myrtle,
הֲדַס֙ (hă·ḏas)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1918: Myrtle (tree)

palm,
תְמָרִ֔ים (ṯə·mā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8558: Palm tree, date palm

and other leafy
עָבֹ֑ת (‘ā·ḇōṯ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5687: (having) interwoven (foliage), leafy

trees,
עֵ֣ץ (‘êṣ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

to make
לַעֲשֹׂ֥ת (la·‘ă·śōṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

booths,
סֻכֹּ֖ת (suk·kōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5521: A thicket, booth

as it is written.”
כַּכָּתֽוּב׃ (kak·kā·ṯūḇ)
Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write


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OT History: Nehemiah 8:15 And that they should publish and proclaim (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 8:14
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