Neh 8:7-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Neh 8:7-9: 8:7-9 The Levites always had the role of teaching people God’s word (Deut 33:10 ; Mal 2:5-6 ). In this case, they probably explained the meaning of the Hebrew Scriptures to smaller groups of people in Aramaic. Most of the people spoke Aramaic, the language of Babylon, rather than Hebrew as their first language. Jewish leaders eventually translated large portions of the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic, allowing people to hear and study the Bible in a language they understood.

bDeut 33:10►

cMal 2:5-6►

‏ Nehemiah 8:7-8

Summary for Neh 8:7-9: 8:7-9 ^a The Levites always had the role of teaching people God’s word (Deut 33:10 ^b; Mal 2:5-6 ^c). In this case, they probably explained the meaning of the Hebrew Scriptures to smaller groups of people in Aramaic. Most of the people spoke Aramaic, the language of Babylon, rather than Hebrew as their first language. Jewish leaders eventually translated large portions of the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic, allowing people to hear and study the Bible in a language they understood.