King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 8:4 Mean?

Nehemiah 8:4 in the King James Version says “And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, a... — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. pulpit: Heb. tower of wood

Nehemiah 8:4 · KJV


Context

2

And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. that: Heb. that understood in hearing

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. from: Heb. from the light

4

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. pulpit: Heb. tower of wood

5

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: sight: Heb. eyes

6

And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse within Nehemiah 8 addresses themes of Scripture centrality, teaching, understanding, worship. The public Scripture reading demonstrates how spiritual renewal requires understanding God's Word, not mere ritual observance. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. The spiritual reforms under Ezra and Nehemiah shaped Judaism for centuries, establishing Scripture's centrality and patterns of worship continuing into the intertestamental period and beyond. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does regular engagement with Scripture transform understanding of God and His will for your life?
  2. What specific commitments do you need to make (or renew) regarding Bible reading, worship, and obedience?
  3. How can the principles demonstrated in this passage inform your response to current challenges in your life or church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד1 of 27

him stood

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עֶזְרָ֣א2 of 27

And Ezra

H5830

ezra, an israelite

הַסֹּפֵ֗ר3 of 27

the scribe

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

עַֽל4 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִגְדַּל5 of 27

upon a pulpit

H4026

a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers

עֵץ֮6 of 27

of wood

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשׂ֣וּ8 of 27

which they had made

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לַדָּבָר֒9 of 27

for the purpose

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד10 of 27

him stood

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

אֶצְל֡וֹ11 of 27

and beside

H681

a side; (as a preposition) near

מַתִּתְיָ֡ה12 of 27

Mattithiah

H4993

mattithjah, the name of four israelites

וְשֶׁ֡מַע13 of 27

and Shema

H8087

shema, the name of a place in palestine and of four israelites

וַֽ֠עֲנָיָה14 of 27

and Anaiah

H6043

anajah, the name of two israelites

וְאֽוּרִיָּ֧ה15 of 27

and Urijah

H223

urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites

וְחִלְקִיָּ֛ה16 of 27

and Hilkiah

H2518

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

וּמַֽעֲשֵׂיָ֖ה17 of 27

and Maaseiah

H4641

maasejah, the name of sixteen israelites

עַל18 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְמִינ֑וֹ19 of 27

on his right hand

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

וּמִשְּׂמֹאל֗וֹ20 of 27

and on his left hand

H8040

properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

פְּ֠דָיָה21 of 27

Pedaiah

H6305

pedajah, the name of six israelites

וּמִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל22 of 27

and Mishael

H4332

mishael, the name of three israelites

וּמַלְכִּיָּ֛ה23 of 27

and Malchiah

H4441

malkijah, the name of ten israelites

וְחָשֻׁ֥ם24 of 27

and Hashum

H2828

chashum, the name of two or three israelites

וְחַשְׁבַּדָּ֖נָה25 of 27

and Hashbadana

H2806

chasbaddanah, an israelite

זְכַרְיָ֥ה26 of 27

Zechariah

H2148

zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine israelites

מְשֻׁלָּֽם׃27 of 27

and Meshullam

H4918

meshullam, the name of seventeen israelites


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nehemiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nehemiah 8:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nehemiah 8:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study