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Nehemiah 8:1-10
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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Hebrew Interlinear Bible, WLCv, WLC5, CHES, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "In considering their offences against the Law, therefore the Levites do not reprove them for mourning, but assure them of God's mercies if they are repentant."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Sacrifices were to be offered only at the door of the temple; but praying and preaching were, and are, services of religion, as acceptably performed in one place as in another."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "Rejoicing in God in serving him with chearfulness, and thankfulness, which is your duty always, but now especially, will give you that strength both of mind and body, which you greatly need, both to perform all the duties required of you, and to oppose all the designs of your enemies."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "The beginning of every month was ushered in as a sacred festival; but this, the commencement of the seventh month, was kept with distinguished honor as "the feast of trumpets," which extended over two days. It was the first day of the seventh ecclesiastical year, and the new year's day of the Jewish civil year, on which account it was held as "a great day." The place where the general concourse of people was held was "at the water gate," on the south rampart. Through that gate the Nethinims or Gibeonites brought water into the temple, and there was a spacious area in front of it."
  • "The Joy of the Lord, the Strength of His People: Nehemiah 8:10; 12:42, 43," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1871.
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Roger Nam, at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2019.
    • "The revelation of Torah crystallizes in the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai and is associated with instructions on sacrifices and purity."
  • "When He Opened the Book," Debie Thomas, Journey with Jesus, 2019.
    • "For me, the danger is over-familiarity."
  • "Tear Jerker: Crying In Church," Chris Ayers, ReThinkDoChurch, 2019.
    • "Finally, this text reports people were moved to tears by the reading of the Bible.  For God’s sake and the sake of your congregation, read scripture dramatically, in ways that reveal your belief that the text can change the world and change lives."
  • "Celebrating the Word of the Lord," Bob Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 2019.
    • "Nehemiah’s word to the people is a good reminder that holy days needn’t be somber."
  • "The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength," Fritz Wendt, Political Theology, 2019.
    • "Nehemiah 8 reminds us that hearing the word of God is an occasion for joy, not sorrow and regret."
  • "Read Aloud," Lynn Miller, celebrating our creative and living God by generating art and architecture resources for congregations and individuals. Art and Faith Matters facebook page contains additional resources.
  • Commentary, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Patricia Tull, at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2016.
    • "The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are as distinct from the earlier books of Samuel and Kings as the times they narrate are different from the ages that preceded them..."
  • "Listening at the Watergate," John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2016.
    • "How would our history be different if the ancient Watergate were better remembered than the modern one?"
  • Center for Excellence in Preaching, Scott Hoezee, commentary, textual notes, illustrations, 2016.
  • "Reclaiming the Joy of the Lord," Steve Godfrey, Church in the World, 2016.
    • "This passage is a call for us as individuals to recommit ourselves to the daily reading of Scripture."
  • The Truett Pulpit, Mike Glenn, 2016.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2016.
  • Commentary, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Patricia Tull, at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2013.
    • "Here we see [Ezra] in a new role that looks both innovative and strangely familiar: reading and expounding upon Scripture. The passage emphasizes that this occasion includes not just the priests, Levites, or even just the men, but all the people, men and women. It also asserts that Ezra read at the request of the people themselves."
  • "How To Read the Bible," John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2013.
    • "Scholars have argued long and contentiously, as scholars are wont to do, about the historical context of the work of the figures Ezra and Nehemiah."
  • Commentary, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Anathea Portier-Young, at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2010.
    • "I challenge you: If you do not choose to preach on Nehemiah 8, then let this passage inspire you to preach on the Torah."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
    • "Today?s reading is about both the faithful and joyous reception of God?s word seen in the people, and about the faithful proclamation and interpretation of that word to the people by Ezra and the Levites. It is a word for both congregation and preacher."
  • Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Commentary, Background, Insights from Literary Structure, Theological Message, Ways to Present the Text. Anna Grant-Henderson, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "This reading could be acted out as part of the worship service."
  • Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series C, Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
  • 3 Epiphany, Year C: Nehemiah 8:1-10, Biblische Ausbildung, Dr. Stephen L. Cook, Virginia Theological Seminary. Part 2.
    • "This passage is not about legalism and rigidity. It is about finding life, finding true joy. It would make for a great sermon or homily this Sunday."
  • "Eat the Fat, Drink the Wine: Nehemiah and Subversive Acts of Joy," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation.
    • "What are some common counterfeits for joy?"
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
  • "Sadness Turned to Joy," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
    • "Sometimes our sadness turns to joy when people celebrate the good news of freedom."
  • "Further Reforms of Ezra," from the full text book online, The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, F. Charles, Fensham, 1982. Section begins on p. 214.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Eskenazi, Tamara C., "The Structure of Ezra-Nehemiah and the Integrity of the Book," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2009. (Section on this text begins on page 417)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lawson, Steven J., "The Pattern of Biblical Preaching: An Expository Study of Ezra 7:10 and Nehemiah 8:1-18," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Redditt, Paul L., "Nehemiah's First Mission and the Date of Zechariah 9-14," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Schaper, Joachim, "The Temple Treasury Committee in the Times of Nehemiah and Ezra," Vetus Testamentum, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Stendahl, John, "The Proclamation," The Christian Century, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Taylor-Troutman, Andrew, Between Text & Sermon, Nehemiah 8:1-12,"Interpretation, 2013.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Wong, G.C.I., "A Note on 'Joy' in Nehemiah VIII 10," Vetus Testamentum, 1995.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Everything Depends on Remembering," the Rev. David Jones, Day 1, 2010.
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Epiphany 3C, 2016. Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2013.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," 2016, Union Presbyterian Seminary.
  • "Nehemiah," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Ezra Reads the Law," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
  • "Water Gate," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
• Drama:
  • "Nehemiah" monologue, Ross Olson.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Nehemiah 8:2, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Nehemiah

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