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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Nehemiah 9:3 While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/9-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/16_Neh_09_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 9:3 - The People Confess Their Sins" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/nehemiah/9-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/nehemiah/9-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/">Nehemiah</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/nehemiah/9-2.htm" title="Nehemiah 9:2">◄</a> Nehemiah 9:3 <a href="/nehemiah/9-4.htm" title="Nehemiah 9:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the LORD their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God <i>one</i> fourth part of the day; and <i>another</i> fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God <i>for one</i>-fourth of the day; and <i>for another</i> fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />While they stood in their place, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for <i>another</i> fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for <i>another</i> fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they rose up in their place and read from the book of the law of Yahweh their God for a fourth of the day; and for <i>another</i> fourth they were confessing and worshipping Yahweh their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day and for <i>another</i> fourth [of it] they confessed [their sins] and worshiped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />While they stood in their places, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day and spent another fourth of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />While they stood in their places, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day and spent another fourth of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Jehovah their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped Jehovah their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />For three hours they stood and listened to the Law of the LORD their God, and then for the next three hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They stood in their places, and for one-fourth of the day, [they listened as] the Book of the Teachings of the LORD their God was read, and for another fourth [of the day], they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />For about three hours the Law of the LORD their God was read to them, and for the next three hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the LORD their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />While they stood there, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for one fourth of the day, and they confessed and worshipped the LORD their God for another fourth of the day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For one-fourth of the day they stood in their place and read from the book of the law of the LORD their God, and for another fourth they were confessing their sins and worshiping the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They stood up in their place, and read in the scroll of the law of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day; and a fourth part they confessed, and worshiped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshiped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Yahweh their God a fourth part of the day; and a fourth part they confessed and worshiped Yahweh their God. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and rise up on their station, and read in the Scroll of the Law of their God YHWH a fourth of the day, and a fourth they are confessing and bowing themselves to their God YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and rise up on their station, and read in the book of the law of Jehovah their God a fourth of the day, and a fourth they are confessing and bowing themselves to Jehovah their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will rise up upon their standing and read in the book of the law of Jehovah their God, the fourth of the day; and a fourth confessing and worshiping to Jehovah their God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they rose up to stand: and they read in the book of the law of the Lord their God, four times in the day, and four times they confessed, and adored the Lord their God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they arose to stand. And they read in the volume of the law of the Lord their God, four times in the day, and four times they confessed. And they adored the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When they had taken their places, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God, for a fourth of the day, and during another fourth they made their confession and bowed down before the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They stood up in their place and read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth part of the day, and for another fourth they made confession and worshiped the LORD their God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they stood up in their place and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they stood at their places and they were reading in the book of the Law of LORD JEHOVAH their God. A fourth of the day they read, and a fourth of the day they confessed and they worshipped before LORD JEHOVAH their God.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the Law of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and prostrated themselves before the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they stood in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their god: and they confessed <i>their sins</i> to the Lord, and worshipped the Lord their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=2276" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/9.htm">The People Confess Their Sins</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: way·yā·qū·mū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">While they stood</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/5977.htm" title="5977: ‘ā·mə·ḏām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- A standing place. From amad; a spot.">their places,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">they read</a> <a href="/hebrew/5612.htm" title="5612: bə·sê·p̄er (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A missive, document, writing, book. Or ciphrah; from caphar; properly, writing; by implication, a book.">from the Book</a> <a href="/hebrew/8451.htm" title="8451: tō·w·raṯ (N-fsc) -- Direction, instruction, law. Or torah; from yarah; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch.">of the Law</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">their God</a> <a href="/hebrew/7243.htm" title="7243: rə·ḇi·‘îṯ (Number-ofsc) -- Fourth. Or rbiiy; from raba'; fourth; also a fourth.">for a quarter</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">of the day,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7243.htm" title="7243: ū·rə·ḇi·‘îṯ (Conj-w:: Number-ofs) -- Fourth. Or rbiiy; from raba'; fourth; also a fourth.">and they spent another quarter of the day</a> <a href="/hebrew/3034.htm" title="3034: miṯ·wad·dîm (V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-mp) -- To throw, cast. ">in confession</a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: ū·miš·ta·ḥă·wîm (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-mp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">and worship</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">their God.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>And the Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani—stood on the raised platform and cried out in a loud voice to the LORD their God.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/9-4.htm">Ezra 9:4-5</a></span><br />Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat there in horror until the evening offering. / At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation with my tunic and cloak torn, and I fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Daniel 9:4-5</a></span><br />And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, / we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/34-30.htm">2 Chronicles 34:30-31</a></span><br />And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites—all the people great and small—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. / So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-11.htm">Deuteronomy 31:11-13</a></span><br />when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. / Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law. / Then their children who do not know the law will listen and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-2.htm">2 Kings 23:2-3</a></span><br />And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people small and great—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. / So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/23-27.htm">Leviticus 23:27-28</a></span><br />“The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present a food offering to the LORD. / On this day you are not to do any work, for it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-25.htm">Jeremiah 3:25</a></span><br />Let us lie down in our shame; let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the LORD our God, both we and our fathers; from our youth even to this day we have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-9.htm">Psalm 119:9-11</a></span><br />How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word. / With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. / I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-6.htm">1 Samuel 7:6</a></span><br />When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-15.htm">Acts 13:15</a></span><br />After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a></span><br />But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-4.htm">Romans 15:4</a></span><br />For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-13.htm">1 Timothy 4:13</a></span><br />Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22-25</a></span><br />Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.</p><p class="hdg">they stood</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/8-4.htm">Nehemiah 8:4,7,8</a></b></br> 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, <i>and</i> Meshullam… </p><p class="hdg">one fourth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/8-3.htm">Nehemiah 8:3</a></b></br> And he read therein before the street that <i>was</i> 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 <i>were attentive</i> unto the book of the law.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/8-18.htm">Book</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-37.htm">Bowing</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-2.htm">Confessed</a> <a href="/1_john/2-23.htm">Confessing</a> <a href="/ezra/10-11.htm">Confession</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-2.htm">Forgiveness</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-1.htm">Fourth</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-14.htm">Law</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-11.htm">Part</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-2.htm">Places</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-30.htm">Prostrated</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-22.htm">Quarter</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-18.htm">Read</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-8.htm">Reading</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-2.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-20.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-39.htm">Spent</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-10.htm">Station</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-2.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-2.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-34.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-6.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-6.htm">Worshipped</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-27.htm">Worshipping</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/12-23.htm">Book</a> <a href="/esther/3-2.htm">Bowing</a> <a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Confessed</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-13.htm">Confessing</a> <a href="/psalms/26-7.htm">Confession</a> <a href="/psalms/25-11.htm">Forgiveness</a> <a href="/job/42-16.htm">Fourth</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-14.htm">Law</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-22.htm">Part</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-4.htm">Places</a> <a href="/esther/3-2.htm">Prostrated</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-22.htm">Quarter</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-1.htm">Read</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-1.htm">Reading</a> <a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Requesting</a> <a href="/esther/4-14.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-20.htm">Spent</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-11.htm">Station</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-4.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-18.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/job/1-1.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/job/1-20.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/job/1-20.htm">Worshipped</a> <a href="/psalms/99-5.htm">Worshipping</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/9-1.htm">A solemn fast, and repentance of the people</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/9-4.htm">The Levites make a confession of God's goodness, and their wickedness</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/nehemiah/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>While they stood in their places</b><br>This phrase indicates a communal gathering, likely in the open square before the Water Gate in Jerusalem, as described earlier in <a href="/nehemiah/8.htm">Nehemiah 8</a>. The standing posture signifies reverence and attentiveness, a common practice in ancient Israel during public readings of Scripture. This setting underscores the unity and collective responsibility of the people in seeking spiritual renewal.<p><b>They read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day</b><br>The "Book of the Law" refers to the Torah, particularly the first five books of the Old Testament, which contain the laws given to Moses. Reading for a quarter of the day, approximately three hours, highlights the importance of Scripture in guiding the community's faith and practice. This practice echoes the command in <a href="/deuteronomy/31-11.htm">Deuteronomy 31:11-13</a> for the public reading of the Law, emphasizing the need for continual engagement with God's Word.<p><b>And they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God</b><br>Confession and worship are integral to the process of repentance and spiritual renewal. The act of confession involves acknowledging sins and seeking forgiveness, aligning with the biblical principle found in 1 <a href="/john/1-9.htm">John 1:9</a>. Worship, in this context, likely included prayer, singing, and possibly sacrifices, reflecting a holistic approach to honoring God. This dual focus on confession and worship demonstrates a balanced spiritual life, where acknowledgment of sin leads to adoration and reverence for God's mercy and holiness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of Israel who had returned from exile and were gathered in Jerusalem to renew their covenant with God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_book_of_the_law.htm">The Book of the Law</a></b><br>Refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which contain God's laws and commandments given to Moses.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/confession_and_worship.htm">Confession and Worship</a></b><br>The Israelites engaged in a time of confession of sins and worship, acknowledging God's holiness and their need for His mercy.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where the Israelites gathered, significant as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the temple.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezra_and_the_levites.htm">Ezra and the Levites</a></b><br>Spiritual leaders who facilitated the reading of the Law and led the people in understanding and responding to it.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_scripture.htm">The Importance of Scripture</a></b><br>The Israelites' dedication to reading the Law for a significant portion of the day underscores the importance of immersing ourselves in God's Word regularly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/confession_as_a_spiritual_discipline.htm">Confession as a Spiritual Discipline</a></b><br>Confession is vital for spiritual health, allowing us to acknowledge our sins and receive God's forgiveness and cleansing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/worship_as_a_response_to_god's_holiness.htm">Worship as a Response to God's Holiness</a></b><br>True worship arises from recognizing God's holiness and our dependence on Him, as demonstrated by the Israelites.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_in_spiritual_practices.htm">Community in Spiritual Practices</a></b><br>The gathering of the Israelites highlights the importance of community in spiritual growth and accountability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/renewal_and_commitment.htm">Renewal and Commitment</a></b><br>The event in <a href="/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Nehemiah 9:3</a> serves as a reminder of the need for continual renewal and commitment to God's covenant in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nehemiah_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible_books'_order.htm">What is the order of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_a_nation_return_to_god.htm">How can a nation return to God after straying?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_1_and_2_esdras_teach_us.htm">What lessons do First and Second Esdras teach us?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/nehemiah/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">One fourth part.</span>--Both day and night were divided into four parts. All orders standing in their respective place, the reading occupied the morning and the worship the afternoon. It is the latter which is now made prominent, as the former had been prominent in the preceding chapter.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">In their place</span>. See above, <a href="/nehemiah/8-7.htm">Nehemiah 8:7</a>. The people and the ministers had their appointed "places"in every gathering of a religious character. The former now "stood up" in their proper place, <span class="cmt_word">and read</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "engaged in the reading of the law, not, however, as actual readers, but as listeners. The readers would be the Levites (see <a href="/nehemiah/8-7.htm">Nehemiah 8:7, 8</a>). <span class="cmt_word">One fourth part of the day</span>. The day and the night were alike divided by the Jews into four parts, each of three hours duration. The nocturnal divisions are frequently alluded to in the New Testament (<a href="/mark/13-35.htm">Mark 13:35</a>; <a href="/john/18-28.htm">John 18:28</a>, etc.). Worshipped. Literally, "bowed themselves down," or "prostrated themselves." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">While they stood</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּק֙וּמוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·qū·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their places,</span><br /><span class="heb">עָמְדָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·mə·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5977.htm">Strong's 5977: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing place</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they read</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּקְרְא֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the Book</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּסֵ֨פֶר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·sê·p̄er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5612.htm">Strong's 5612: </a> </span><span class="str2">A missive, document, writing, book</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Law</span><br /><span class="heb">תּוֹרַ֧ת</span> <span class="translit">(tō·w·raṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8451.htm">Strong's 8451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Direction, instruction, law</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for a quarter</span><br /><span class="heb">רְבִעִ֣ית</span> <span class="translit">(rə·ḇi·‘îṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - ordinal feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7243.htm">Strong's 7243: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fourth, a fourth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the day,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיּ֑וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they spent another quarter of the day</span><br /><span class="heb">וּרְבִעִית֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·rə·ḇi·‘îṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Number - ordinal feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7243.htm">Strong's 7243: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fourth, a fourth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in confession</span><br /><span class="heb">מִתְוַדִּ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(miṯ·wad·dîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3034.htm">Strong's 3034: </a> </span><span class="str2">To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and worship</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·miš·ta·ḥă·wîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> </span><span class="str2">To depress, prostrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">לַיהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their God.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Nehemiah 9:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Nehemiah 9:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Nehemiah 9:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Nehemiah 9:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Nehemiah 9:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Nehemiah 9:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Nehemiah 9:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Nehemiah 9:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Nehemiah 9:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Nehemiah 9:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/9-3.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 9:3 They stood up in their place (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/9-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 9:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 9:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/9-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 9:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 9:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>