Nehemiah 8:17 - All the assembly of those who had come back out of the captivity made temporary shelters, and lived in the booths; for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the children of Israel had not done so. There was very great gladness.
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What does "Nehemiah 8:17" mean?
Nehemiah 8:17 describes a significant moment of religious revival and joyous celebration among the Israelites who had returned from exile in Babylon. Let's break down the meaning:
"All the assembly of those who had come back out of the captivity made temporary shelters, and lived in the booths": This refers to the people observing the Feast of Tabernacles (also known as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot). During this feast, the Israelites were commanded to build and live in temporary shelters (booths) made of branches and foliage for seven days. This was a reminder of how God provided for their ancestors when they lived in temporary dwellings during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt.
"for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the children of Israel had not done so": This is the crucial point. It indicates that the practice of fully and properly observing the Feast of Tabernacles, specifically building and dwelling in the booths, had been largely neglected or forgotten since the time of Joshua (Jeshua), who led the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses' death. This doesn't necessarily mean that the feast was never observed at all, but it highlights a long period of religious decline or laxity where this specific element of the feast had fallen into disuse or was not done with the proper intention and completeness.
"There was very great gladness": The restoration of this ancient practice brought immense joy to the people. This gladness stemmed from several factors:
Obedience to God's Law: They were actively obeying God's commandments after a long period of disobedience or neglect. This created a sense of spiritual renewal and right relationship with God.
Remembrance of God's Provision: Living in the booths reminded them of God's faithful provision for their ancestors in the wilderness, fostering a sense of gratitude and trust in God's continued care.
National Unity: Participating in the feast together fostered a sense of unity and shared identity among the returned exiles.
Spiritual Revival: This was part of a larger movement of spiritual revival led by Ezra and Nehemiah, and the rediscovery and observance of the law were central to this revival.
In summary:
Nehemiah 8:17 highlights a pivotal moment in Israelite history where the people, under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, rediscovered and wholeheartedly embraced a forgotten religious practice - the Feast of Tabernacles, specifically building and living in booths. This act of obedience and remembrance led to profound joy and marked a significant step in their spiritual renewal after the exile. It suggests a period of spiritual decline where the law was either unknown, ignored, or not fully obeyed, followed by a rediscovery and revival that brought about great rejoicing.
Nehemiah 8:17 - All the assembly of those who had come back out of the captivity made temporary shelters, and lived in the booths; for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the children of Israel had not done so. There was very great gladness.
What does "Nehemiah 8:17" mean?
Nehemiah 8:17 describes a significant moment of religious revival and joyous celebration among the Israelites who had returned from exile in Babylon. Let's break down the meaning:
"All the assembly of those who had come back out of the captivity made temporary shelters, and lived in the booths": This refers to the people observing the Feast of Tabernacles (also known as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot). During this feast, the Israelites were commanded to build and live in temporary shelters (booths) made of branches and foliage for seven days. This was a reminder of how God provided for their ancestors when they lived in temporary dwellings during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt.
"for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the children of Israel had not done so": This is the crucial point. It indicates that the practice of fully and properly observing the Feast of Tabernacles, specifically building and dwelling in the booths, had been largely neglected or forgotten since the time of Joshua (Jeshua), who led the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses' death. This doesn't necessarily mean that the feast was never observed at all, but it highlights a long period of religious decline or laxity where this specific element of the feast had fallen into disuse or was not done with the proper intention and completeness.
"There was very great gladness": The restoration of this ancient practice brought immense joy to the people. This gladness stemmed from several factors:
Obedience to God's Law: They were actively obeying God's commandments after a long period of disobedience or neglect. This created a sense of spiritual renewal and right relationship with God.
Remembrance of God's Provision: Living in the booths reminded them of God's faithful provision for their ancestors in the wilderness, fostering a sense of gratitude and trust in God's continued care.
National Unity: Participating in the feast together fostered a sense of unity and shared identity among the returned exiles.
Spiritual Revival: This was part of a larger movement of spiritual revival led by Ezra and Nehemiah, and the rediscovery and observance of the law were central to this revival.
In summary:
Nehemiah 8:17 highlights a pivotal moment in Israelite history where the people, under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, rediscovered and wholeheartedly embraced a forgotten religious practice - the Feast of Tabernacles, specifically building and living in booths. This act of obedience and remembrance led to profound joy and marked a significant step in their spiritual renewal after the exile. It suggests a period of spiritual decline where the law was either unknown, ignored, or not fully obeyed, followed by a rediscovery and revival that brought about great rejoicing.