Nehemiah 8:16-18
Ne 8:16-18. They Keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
16. the people went forth, and brought ... and made themselves booths, &c.--(See on Le 23:34; De 16:13). 17. since the days of Jeshua ... had not the children of Israel done so--This national feast had not been neglected for so protracted a period. Besides that it is impossible that such a flagrant disregard of the law could have been tolerated by Samuel, David, and other pious rulers, its observance is sufficiently indicated (1Ki 8:2, 65; 2Ch 7:9) and expressly recorded (Ezr 3:4). But the meaning is, that the popular feelings had never been raised to such a height of enthusiastic joy since the time of their entrance into Canaan, as now on their return after a long and painful captivity. 18. Also day by day ... he read in the book of the law of God--This was more than was enjoined (De 31:10-12), and arose from the exuberant zeal of the time. on the eighth day was a solemn assembly--This was the last and great day of the feast (see on Nu 29:35). In later times, other ceremonies which increased the rejoicing were added (Joh 7:37).
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