Neh 8:9-11 | NETfull | STEP | Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priestly scribe, and the Levites who were imparting understanding to 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 had been weeping when they heard the words of the law.

Nehemiah 8:9-11

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, ^{▼▼ The unexpected reference to Nehemiah here has led some scholars to suspect that the phrase “Nehemiah the governor” is a later addition to the text and not original.} Ezra the priestly scribe, ^{▼▼ Heb “the priest, the scribe.”} and the Levites who were imparting understanding to the people said to all of them, ^{▼▼ Heb “the people.” The pronoun has been used in the translation for stylistic reasons, to avoid redundancy.} “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the law. 10 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. ^{▼▼ The Hebrew term translated “Lord” here is אֲדֹנָי (’adonay).} Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

11 Then the Levites quieted all the people saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy. Do not grieve.”