And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Then Nehemiah the governor, along with Ezra the priest and teacher, and the Levites who were instructing the people, said to everyone, 'This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Don't be sad or cry.' They said this because all the people were weeping when they heard the words of God's law.
The leaders told the people to stop crying and instead celebrate, because hearing God's law should be a joyful occasion, not a time for mourning.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Nehemiah, the Jewish people had returned from Babylonian exile and were in the process of rebuilding their community and the walls of Jerusalem after years of displacement. During a gathering where Ezra read the Law of Moses to the people, they were deeply moved and began to weep as they realized how far they had strayed from God's commands. Nehemiah, as the governor, along with Ezra and the Levites, responded by declaring the day holy and urging the people not to mourn but to rejoice in God's presence.
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