Nehemiah 8:7
New International Version
The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there.

New Living Translation
The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places.

English Standard Version
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places.

Berean Standard Bible
The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places.

King James Bible
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

New King James Version
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place.

New American Standard Bible
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites explained the Law to the people while the people remained in their place.

NASB 1995
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place.

NASB 1977
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place.

Legacy Standard Bible
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, were providing understanding of the law to the people while the people stood in their place.

Amplified Bible
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, explained the Law to the people, and the people remained in their places.

Christian Standard Bible
Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the law to the people as they stood in their places.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the law to the people as they stood in their places.

American Standard Version
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

English Revised Version
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Levites-Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah-explained the Teachings to the people while they were standing there.

Good News Translation
Then they rose and stood in their places, and the following Levites explained the Law to them: Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah.

International Standard Version
Furthermore, Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the descendants of Levi taught the Law to the people while the people remained standing.

Majority Standard Bible
The Levites?Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah?instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places.

NET Bible
Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah--all of whom were Levites--were teaching the people the law, as the people remained standing.

New Heart English Bible
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people, and the people stayed in their place.

Webster's Bible Translation
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

World English Bible
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law; and the people stayed in their place.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, giving the people understanding in the Law, and the people, [are] on their station,

Young's Literal Translation
And Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, giving the people understanding in the law, and the people, are on their station,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, causing the people to understand to the law: and the people upon their standing.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now Josue, and Bani, and Serebia, Jamin, Accub, Sephtai, Odia, Maasia, Celtia, Azarias, Jozabed, Hanan, Phalaia, the Levites, made silence among the people to hear the law: end the people stood in their place.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, caused the people to be silent in order to hear the law. And the people were standing on their feet.

New American Bible
The Levites Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah explained the law to the people, who remained in their places.

New Revised Standard Version
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the law, while the people remained in their places.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Also Jeshua and his sons and Serebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maasiah, Kelatiah, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Penaiah, and the Levites ministered to the people, explaining the law; and the people stood in their place.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yeshua and his children and Serabyah and Imin and Aquph and Shabti and Hudiah and Masyah and Qelatyah and Azraya and Yuzabar and Khanani and Penayah and the Levites who serve the people in the Law, and the people were standing at their place.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, even the Levites, caused the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jesus and Banaias and Sarabias instructed the people in the law, and the people stood in their place.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezra Reads the Law
6Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7The Levites— Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah— instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places. 8So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.…

Cross References
Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:12-13
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. / Then their children who do not know the law will listen and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

2 Chronicles 17:7-9
In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah, / accompanied by certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah—along with the priests Elishama and Jehoram. / They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.

2 Kings 23:2
And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people small and great—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.

Acts 8:30-31
So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. / “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Luke 24:27
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Acts 17:11
Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.

Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.

Proverbs 1:5-6
let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel / by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Isaiah 29:11-12
And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.” / Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.”

Jeremiah 3:15
Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.


Treasury of Scripture

Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

Jeshua

Nehemiah 3:19
And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.

Nehemiah 9:4
Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

Nehemiah 10:9
And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;

Bani

Nehemiah 3:17
After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.

Nehemiah 9:4
Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

Nehemiah 10:13
Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.

Sherebiah

Nehemiah 9:4
Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.

Nehemiah 10:12
Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,

Nehemiah 12:24
And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.

Akkub

Nehemiah 11:16,19
And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God…

Nehemiah 12:25
Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates.

Hodijah

Nehemiah 10:10,18
And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, …

Maaseiah

Nehemiah 8:4
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.

Nehemiah 3:23
After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.

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Akkub Azariah Bani Caused Hanan Hodiah Hodijah Jamin Jeshua Jozabad Kelita Levites Maaseiah Pelaiah Shabbethai Sherebiah Stood Understand
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Akkub Azariah Bani Caused Hanan Hodiah Hodijah Jamin Jeshua Jozabad Kelita Levites Maaseiah Pelaiah Shabbethai Sherebiah Stood Understand
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














The Levites
The Levites were members of the tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and temple service. Historically, they were responsible for teaching the Law and maintaining the spiritual life of Israel. Their role in this verse underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and the transmission of God’s Word. The Levites' dedication to instructing the people reflects their commitment to ensuring that the Law was understood and applied, emphasizing the need for knowledgeable and faithful leaders in the community of faith.

Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah
These names represent specific Levites who were actively involved in teaching the Law. Each name carries its own meaning and historical significance, often reflecting attributes of God or aspects of faith. For instance, "Jeshua" means "The Lord is salvation," highlighting the central message of redemption in the Law. The listing of these names serves to personalize the narrative, reminding us that God uses individuals with unique gifts and callings to accomplish His purposes. It also reflects the communal effort required in teaching and understanding Scripture, as each person contributes to the collective spiritual growth.

Instructed the people
The Hebrew root for "instructed" is "בִּין" (bin), which means to understand or discern. This implies more than just reading the Law; it involves explaining and interpreting it so that the people could grasp its meaning and implications. The Levites' role was crucial in bridging the gap between the written word and the people's understanding, ensuring that the Law was not just heard but comprehended and lived out. This highlights the importance of sound teaching and the role of educators in the faith community.

In the Law
The "Law" refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which contain God’s commandments and instructions for His people. The Law was central to Jewish life and identity, serving as a guide for moral conduct, worship, and community living. By instructing the people in the Law, the Levites were reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and Israel, reminding them of their identity as God’s chosen people and their responsibility to live according to His statutes.

As they stood in their places
This phrase indicates the attentiveness and reverence of the people as they listened to the Law. Standing was a posture of respect and readiness to receive instruction. It suggests a communal eagerness to hear and understand God’s Word, reflecting a collective commitment to spiritual renewal and obedience. This scene is a powerful reminder of the importance of approaching Scripture with a heart prepared to listen and respond, emphasizing the communal aspect of worship and learning in the life of faith.

Verse 7. - Joshua, Bani, Sherebiah, etc. Levitical families, not individual Levites (see Nehemiah 9:4, 5; Nehemiah 10:10-13; Nehemiah 12:8, etc.). And the Levites. i.e. "the rest of the Levites." Caused the people to understand the law. Expounding it, during pauses in the reading. The people stood in their place. Rather, "were in their place" - remained throughout the whole of the reading and exposition without quitting their places. It is not probable that they stood.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Levites—
וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם (wə·hal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

Jeshua,
וְיֵשׁ֡וּעַ (wə·yê·šū·a‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3442: Jeshua

Bani,
וּבָנִ֡י (ū·ḇā·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1137: Bani -- the name of several Israelites

Sherebiah,
וְשֵׁרֵ֥בְיָ֣ה ׀ (wə·šê·rê·ḇə·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8274: Sherebiah -- 'Yah has sent burning heat', an Israelite name

Jamin,
יָמִ֡ין (yā·mîn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3226: Jamin -- three Israelites

Akkub,
עַקּ֡וּב (‘aq·qūḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6126: Akkub -- the name of several Israelites

Shabbethai,
שַׁבְּתַ֣י ׀ (šab·bə·ṯay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7678: Shabbethai -- a Levite

Hodiah,
הֽוֹדִיָּ֡ה (hō·w·ḏî·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1941: Hodiah -- 'my splendor is Yah', the name of several Israelites

Maaseiah,
מַעֲשֵׂיָ֡ה (ma·‘ă·śê·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4641: Maaseiah -- 'work of Yah', the name of a number of Israelites

Kelita,
קְלִיטָ֣א (qə·lî·ṭā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7042: Kelita -- a Levite

Azariah,
עֲזַרְיָה֩ (‘ă·zar·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5838: Azariah -- 'Yah has helped', the name of a number of Israelites

Jozabad,
יוֹזָבָ֨ד (yō·w·zā·ḇāḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3107: Jozabad

Hanan,
חָנָ֤ן (ḥā·nān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2605: Hanan -- 'gracious', the name of several Israelites

and Pelaiah—
פְּלָאיָה֙ (pə·lā·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6411: Pelaiah -- a man of Judah

explained
מְבִינִ֥ים (mə·ḇî·nîm)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

the law
לַתּוֹרָ֑ה (lat·tō·w·rāh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

to the people
הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

as they stood in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

their places.
עָמְדָֽם׃ (‘ā·mə·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations


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OT History: Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua and Bani and Sherebiah Jamin (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 8:6
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