So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
So the people went out and gathered branches, and made temporary shelters for themselves. They built them on their rooftops, in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God's house, in the open area by the Water Gate, and in the open area by the Gate of Ephraim.
The writer is describing how the Jewish people joyfully obeyed God's command by building temporary shelters everywhere throughout Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Booths.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Nehemiah, the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon and were rebuilding Jerusalem while seeking to renew their covenant with God. When Ezra read the Law publicly, the people rediscovered the instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles, a festival commanding them to live in temporary booths to remember God's care during their wilderness wanderings. This event took place in the 5th century BC, emphasizing communal obedience to restore their spiritual heritage.
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