Nehemiah 9:3 While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.

◄ Nehemiah 9:3 ►

New International Version
They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.

New Living Translation
They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the LORD their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD their God.

English Standard Version
And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the LORD their God.

Berean Standard Bible
While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.

King James Bible
And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

New King James Version
And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.

New American Standard Bible
While they stood in their place, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.

NASB 1995
While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.

NASB 1977
While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they rose up in their place and read from the book of the law of Yahweh their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they were confessing and worshipping Yahweh their God.

Amplified Bible
While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day and for another fourth [of it] they confessed [their sins] and worshiped the LORD their God.

Christian Standard Bible
While they stood in their places, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day and spent another fourth of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
While they stood in their places, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day and spent another fourth of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.

American Standard Version
And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Jehovah their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped Jehovah their God.

Contemporary English Version
For three hours they stood and listened to the Law of the LORD their God, and then for the next three hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD.

English Revised Version
And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They stood in their places, and for one-fourth of the day, [they listened as] the Book of the Teachings of the LORD their God was read, and for another fourth [of the day], they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD their God.

Good News Translation
For about three hours the Law of the LORD their God was read to them, and for the next three hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD their God.

International Standard Version
While they stood there, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for one fourth of the day, and they confessed and worshipped the LORD their God for another fourth of the day.

Majority Standard Bible
While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.

NET Bible
For one-fourth of the day they stood in their place and read from the book of the law of the LORD their God, and for another fourth they were confessing their sins and worshiping the LORD their God.

New Heart English Bible
They stood up in their place, and read in the scroll of the law of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day; and a fourth part they confessed, and worshiped the LORD their God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshiped the LORD their God.

World English Bible
They stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Yahweh their God a fourth part of the day; and a fourth part they confessed and worshiped Yahweh their God.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and rise up on their station, and read in the Scroll of the Law of their God YHWH a fourth of the day, and a fourth they are confessing and bowing themselves to their God YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
and rise up on their station, and read in the book of the law of Jehovah their God a fourth of the day, and a fourth they are confessing and bowing themselves to Jehovah their God.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will rise up upon their standing and read in the book of the law of Jehovah their God, the fourth of the day; and a fourth confessing and worshiping to Jehovah their God.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they rose up to stand: and they read in the book of the law of the Lord their God, four times in the day, and four times they confessed, and adored the Lord their God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they arose to stand. And they read in the volume of the law of the Lord their God, four times in the day, and four times they confessed. And they adored the Lord their God.

New American Bible
When they had taken their places, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God, for a fourth of the day, and during another fourth they made their confession and bowed down before the LORD their God.

New Revised Standard Version
They stood up in their place and read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth part of the day, and for another fourth they made confession and worshiped the LORD their God.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And they stood up in their place and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they stood at their places and they were reading in the book of the Law of LORD JEHOVAH their God. A fourth of the day they read, and a fourth of the day they confessed and they worshipped before LORD JEHOVAH their God.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the Law of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and prostrated themselves before the LORD their God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they stood in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their god: and they confessed their sins to the Lord, and worshipped the Lord their God.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The People Confess Their Sins
…2Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God. 4And the Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani—stood on the raised platform and cried out in a loud voice to the LORD their God.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Ezra 9:4-5
Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat there in horror until the evening offering. / At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation with my tunic and cloak torn, and I fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God,

Daniel 9:4-5
And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, / we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances.

2 Chronicles 34:30-31
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 Levites—all the people great and small—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. / So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book.

Deuteronomy 31:11-13
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. / 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 Kings 23:2-3
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. / So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.

Leviticus 23:27-28
“The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present a food offering to the LORD. / On this day you are not to do any work, for it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God.

Jeremiah 3:25
Let us lie down in our shame; let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the LORD our God, both we and our fathers; from our youth even to this day we have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.”

Psalm 119:9-11
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word. / With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. / I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

1 Samuel 7:6
When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

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.”

Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

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.

1 Timothy 4:13
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.

James 1:22-25
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...

Treasury of Scripture

And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

they stood

Nehemiah 8:4,7,8
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…

one fourth

Nehemiah 8:3
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.

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Book Bowing Confessed Confessing Confession Forgiveness Fourth Law Part Places Prostrated Quarter Read Reading Requesting Rise Spent Station Stood Themselves Upright Worshiped Worshipped Worshipping

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Book Bowing Confessed Confessing Confession Forgiveness Fourth Law Part Places Prostrated Quarter Read Reading Requesting Rise Spent Station Stood Themselves Upright Worshiped Worshipped Worshipping

Nehemiah 9

1. A solemn fast, and repentance of the people
4. The Levites make a confession of God's goodness, and their wickedness

Berean Study Bible

While they stood in their places
This phrase indicates a posture of reverence and attentiveness. In the Hebrew context, standing is often associated with respect and readiness to receive instruction. The Israelites were physically demonstrating their commitment to God’s Word. Historically, standing during the reading of the Law was a common practice, signifying the importance of the moment and the authority of the Scriptures. This act of standing also symbolizes unity and collective responsibility among the people.

they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God
The "Book of the Law" refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which contain God’s commandments and instructions for His people. The Hebrew term for "read" implies a public proclamation, suggesting that this was not a private reading but a communal experience. This public reading was crucial for the Israelites, especially after their return from exile, as it re-established their identity and covenant relationship with God. The phrase underscores the centrality of Scripture in guiding the community’s spiritual and moral life.

for a quarter of the day
This indicates a significant investment of time, approximately three hours, dedicated to the reading of Scripture. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such a commitment reflects the high value placed on God’s Word. It suggests that the Israelites prioritized spiritual renewal and understanding of the Law as foundational to their community’s restoration. This extended period of engagement with Scripture highlights the depth of their devotion and the seriousness with which they approached their covenant obligations.

and spent another quarter in confession
Confession here involves acknowledging sins and seeking God’s forgiveness. The Hebrew root for "confession" conveys the idea of throwing or casting down, symbolizing the act of laying bare one’s sins before God. This practice was essential for the Israelites, as it was a means of restoring their relationship with God. Historically, confession was a communal act, reflecting the collective responsibility for sin and the desire for communal purification and renewal.

and worship of the LORD their God
Worship, in this context, involves acts of adoration, praise, and submission to God. The Hebrew word for "worship" often implies bowing down or prostrating oneself, indicating humility and reverence. This worship was not merely ritualistic but a heartfelt response to God’s holiness and mercy. The phrase emphasizes the dual aspects of confession and worship as integral to the Israelites’ spiritual life, fostering a deeper connection with God and reinforcing their identity as His chosen people.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) One fourth part.--Both day and night were divided into four parts. All orders standing in their respective place, the reading occupied the morning and the worship the afternoon. It is the latter which is now made prominent, as the former had been prominent in the preceding chapter.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - In their place. See above, Nehemiah 8:7. The people and the ministers had their appointed "places"in every gathering of a religious character. The former now "stood up" in their proper place, and read, i.e. "engaged in the reading of the law, not, however, as actual readers, but as listeners. The readers would be the Levites (see Nehemiah 8:7, 8). One fourth part of the day. The day and the night were alike divided by the Jews into four parts, each of three hours duration. The nocturnal divisions are frequently alluded to in the New Testament (Mark 13:35; John 18:28, etc.). Worshipped. Literally, "bowed themselves down," or "prostrated themselves."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

While they stood
וַיָּק֙וּמוּ֙ (way·yā·qū·mū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

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

their places,
עָמְדָ֔ם (‘ā·mə·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5977: A standing place

they read
וַֽיִּקְרְא֗וּ (way·yiq·rə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

from the Book
בְּסֵ֨פֶר (bə·sê·p̄er)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book

of the Law
תּוֹרַ֧ת (tō·w·raṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

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

their God
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

for a quarter
רְבִעִ֣ית (rə·ḇi·‘îṯ)
Number - ordinal feminine singular construct
Strong's 7243: Fourth, a fourth

of the day,
הַיּ֑וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

and they spent another quarter of the day
וּרְבִעִית֙ (ū·rə·ḇi·‘îṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 7243: Fourth, a fourth

in confession
מִתְוַדִּ֣ים (miṯ·wad·dîm)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

and worship
וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֔ים (ū·miš·ta·ḥă·wîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

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

their God.
אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

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OT History: Nehemiah 9:3 They stood up in their place (Neh Ne)