Nehemiah 8:4
"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."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose,.... Or to speak out of, as the Syriac and Arabic versions; this, in the Hebrew text, is called a "tower" (i), partly because of its height, and partly because in the form

of one; and also for its largeness, considering the use it was for; for it was so large as to hold fourteen men, as appears by what follows: a pulpit of wood was made for the king in the court, to read the law from (k); though, according to Jacob Leo, it was a throne like an high tower; see Gill on Kg2 11:14 , the pulpits, in the Jewish synagogues, made after the same manner, as Aben Ezra observes, are called by the same (l) name: 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; in all thirteen; there were six on his right, and seven on his left, who stood here, not merely in honour to him, and as approvers and supporters of the truth of what he read, but to relieve him when weary. (i) "super turrem ligni", Montanus; so Dionysius is said, "concionari ex turri alta", Ciceron. Tuscul. Quaest. l. 5. (k) Schulchan Aruch, par. 1. c. 141. sect. 7. (l) Misn. Sotah, c. 7. sect. 8.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (27 words)

H5975 עָמַד
Definition:

27+, 3 feminine singularעָֽמְדָה2 Kings 13:6+, etc.;ImperfectיַעֲמֹדExodus 21:21,יַעֲמוֺדNahum 1:6+,יַעֲמָדֿ1 Samuel 16:22+; 1 singularאֶעֱמֹ֑דָהHabakkuk 2:1,וָאֶעֱמֹד2 Samuel 1:10; 3masculine pluralי 27+, 3 feminine singularעָֽמְדָה2 Kings 13:6+, etc.;ImperfectיַעֲמֹדExodus 21:21,יַעֲמוֺדNahum 1:6+,יַעֲמָדֿ1 Samuel 16:22+; 1 singularאֶעֱמֹ֑דָהHabakkuk 2:1,וָאֶעֱמֹד2 Samuel 1:10; 3masculine pluralי

Possible Meanings:
  • standing-place (semantic_range)
H5830 עֶזְרָא
Definition:

1,10;Ezra 10:1,2,5,6;Nehemiah 8:6; called(ה)סֹּפֵרEzra 7:6;Nehemiah 8:1,4,5,13;Nehemiah 12:36,הַכֹּהֵןEzra 10:10,16;Nehemiah 8:2,9, bothEzra 7:11;Nehemiah 12:26.2priest with ZerubbabelNehemiah 12:1,13 1,10;Ezra 10:1,2,5,6;Nehemiah 8:6; called(ה)סֹּפֵרEzra 7:6;Nehemiah 8:1,4,5,13;Nehemiah 12:36,הַכֹּהֵןEzra 10:10,16;Nehemiah 8:2,9, bothEzra 7:11;Nehemiah 12:26.2priest with ZerubbabelNehemiah 12:1,13

H5608 סָפַר
Definition:

10, 2masculine singularסָפַרְתָּהPsalm 56:9,וְסָפַרְתָּ֫Leviticus 25:8, etc.;ImperfectיִסְמֹּרPsalm 87:6+Job 38:37where read probablyיִסְמֹּר(Bu) forᵑ0יְסַמֵּר,יִסְמּוֺרJob 31:4,וַיִּסְמֹּר2Chron 2:1; 10, 2masculine singularסָפַרְתָּהPsalm 56:9,וְסָפַרְתָּ֫Leviticus 25:8, etc.;ImperfectיִסְמֹּרPsalm 87:6+Job 38:37where read probablyיִסְמֹּר(Bu) forᵑ0יְסַמֵּר,יִסְמּוֺרJob 31:4,וַיִּסְמֹּר2Chron 2:1;

Possible Meanings:
  • secretary (semantic_range)
  • scribe (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H4026 מִגְדָּל
Definition:

511t.; constructמִגְדַּלJudges 8:1721t.; pluralמִגְדָּלִים2Chronicles 26:9 6t.;מִגְדָּלֶיהָPsalm 48:12;Ezekiel 26:4; pluralf.מִגְדָּלוֺת2Chronicles 32:5 2t.; constructמִגְדְּלוֺתSongs 5:13(?); suffixמ 511t.; constructמִגְדַּלJudges 8:1721t.; pluralמִגְדָּלִים2Chronicles 26:9 6t.;מִגְדָּלֶיהָPsalm 48:12;Ezekiel 26:4; pluralf.מִגְדָּלוֺת2Chronicles 32:5 2t.; constructמִגְדְּלוֺתSongs 5:13(?); suffixמ

Possible Meanings:
  • tower (semantic_range)
  • tower (semantic_range)
  • elevated stage (semantic_range)
  • pulpit (semantic_range)
  • raised bed (semantic_range)
H6086 עֵץ
Definition:

9tree, trees, wood; —׳עabsoluteGenesis 3:3+, constructGenesis 3:24+,עֵץֿGenesis 2:16+; suffixֵ˜עצְךָDeuteronomy 28:42, etc.; pluralעֵצִיםJudges 9:8+, constructעֲצֵיIsaiah 7:2+, suffixעֵצֶיךָDeuteronom 9tree, trees, wood; —׳עabsoluteGenesis 3:3+, constructGenesis 3:24+,עֵץֿGenesis 2:16+; suffixֵ˜עצְךָDeuteronomy 28:42, etc.; pluralעֵצִיםJudges 9:8+, constructעֲצֵיIsaiah 7:2+, suffixעֵצֶיךָDeuteronom

H0834 אֲשֶׁר
Definition:

1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff 1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff

Possible Meanings:
  • Asher (semantic_range)
  • happy one (semantic_range)
  • Felix (semantic_range)
  • the tribe (semantic_range)
H6213 עָשָׂה
Definition:

A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows) -- accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows) -- accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly,

Possible Meanings:
  • press (semantic_range)
  • squeeze (semantic_range)
H1697 דָבָר
Definition:

14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו 14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו

Possible Meanings:
  • speaking (semantic_range)
H5975 עָמַד
Definition:

27+, 3 feminine singularעָֽמְדָה2 Kings 13:6+, etc.;ImperfectיַעֲמֹדExodus 21:21,יַעֲמוֺדNahum 1:6+,יַעֲמָדֿ1 Samuel 16:22+; 1 singularאֶעֱמֹ֑דָהHabakkuk 2:1,וָאֶעֱמֹד2 Samuel 1:10; 3masculine pluralי 27+, 3 feminine singularעָֽמְדָה2 Kings 13:6+, etc.;ImperfectיַעֲמֹדExodus 21:21,יַעֲמוֺדNahum 1:6+,יַעֲמָדֿ1 Samuel 16:22+; 1 singularאֶעֱמֹ֑דָהHabakkuk 2:1,וָאֶעֱמֹד2 Samuel 1:10; 3masculine pluralי

Possible Meanings:
  • standing-place (semantic_range)
H0681 אֵצֶל
Definition:

From'atsal(in the sense of joining); a side; (as a preposition) near -- at, (hard) by, (from) (beside), near (unto), toward, with. See alsoBeyth ha-'etsel.see HEBREW'atsalsee HEBREWBeyth ha-'etselBrow From'atsal(in the sense of joining); a side; (as a preposition) near -- at, (hard) by, (from) (beside), near (unto), toward, with. See alsoBeyth ha-'etsel.see HEBREW'atsalsee HEBREWBeyth ha-'etselBrow

Possible Meanings:
  • lay aside (semantic_range)
  • reserve (semantic_range)
  • withdraw (semantic_range)
  • withhold (semantic_range)
  • reserve (semantic_range)
H4993 מַתִּתְיָה
Definition:

18,21;1 Chronicles 25:3,21 =מַתִּתְיָה1 Chronicles 16:5.2מַתִּתְיָה, Levitical name1 Chronicles 9:31.3׳מ, attendant of Ezra (also Levite ?)Nehemiah 8:4.4one of those who took strange wivesEzra 10:43.T 18,21;1 Chronicles 25:3,21 =מַתִּתְיָה1 Chronicles 16:5.2מַתִּתְיָה, Levitical name1 Chronicles 9:31.3׳מ, attendant of Ezra (also Levite ?)Nehemiah 8:4.4one of those who took strange wivesEzra 10:43.T

H8087 שֶׁמַע
Definition:

For the same asshema'; Shema, the name of a place in Palestine and of four Israelites -- Shema.see HEBREWshema'Brown-Driver-BriggsII.שֶׁ֫מַעproper name, masculineusuallyΣαμα(α),Σεμαα(compare Sabean pr For the same asshema'; Shema, the name of a place in Palestine and of four Israelites -- Shema.see HEBREWshema'Brown-Driver-BriggsII.שֶׁ֫מַעproper name, masculineusuallyΣαμα(α),Σεμαα(compare Sabean pr

Possible Meanings:
  • hear (semantic_range)
  • hear (semantic_range)
  • have sense of hearing (semantic_range)
  • shew oneself obedient (semantic_range)
H6043 עֲנָיָה
Definition:

4;Nehemiah 10:23,Ανανια(ς).עָנָיוseeעָנָוbelow III.ענה.עָנִים.עִנְיָןsee [II.ענה].עָנֵםseeעֵין גְּנִּים.Topical LexiconAnaiahOccurrences in Scripture1.Nehemiah 8:4– Named among six men who stood at Ez 4;Nehemiah 10:23,Ανανια(ς).עָנָיוseeעָנָוbelow III.ענה.עָנִים.עִנְיָןsee [II.ענה].עָנֵםseeעֵין גְּנִּים.Topical LexiconAnaiahOccurrences in Scripture1.Nehemiah 8:4– Named among six men who stood at Ez

H0223 איּרִיָּה
Definition:

Or (prolonged) Uwriyahuw {oo-ree-yaw'-hoo}; from'uwrandYahh; flame of Jah; Urijah, the name of one Hittite and five Israelites -- Uriah, Urijah.see HEBREW'uwrsee HEBREWYahhBrown-Driver-Briggsאוּרִיָּה Or (prolonged) Uwriyahuw {oo-ree-yaw'-hoo}; from'uwrandYahh; flame of Jah; Urijah, the name of one Hittite and five Israelites -- Uriah, Urijah.see HEBREW'uwrsee HEBREWYahhBrown-Driver-Briggsאוּרִיָּה

H2518 חִלְקִיָּה
Definition:

18,26;Isaiah 22:20;Isaiah 36:3,22;חלקיה2 Kings 18:37.2high priest, Josiah's time,חלקיהו2 Kings 22:4,8,14;2 Kings 23:4,24; 2Chronicles 34:9,14,15 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 34:18,20,22;חלקיה2 Kings 18,26;Isaiah 22:20;Isaiah 36:3,22;חלקיה2 Kings 18:37.2high priest, Josiah's time,חלקיהו2 Kings 22:4,8,14;2 Kings 23:4,24; 2Chronicles 34:9,14,15 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 34:18,20,22;חלקיה2 Kings

H4641 מַעֲשֵׂיָה
Definition:

18, 20. A Levite musician who played the harp when David brought the ark to Jerusalem.•Nehemiah 8:4. A Maaseiah stands at Ezra’s left during the public reading of the Law.•Nehemiah 8:7. Another Levite 18, 20. A Levite musician who played the harp when David brought the ark to Jerusalem.•Nehemiah 8:4. A Maaseiah stands at Ezra’s left during the public reading of the Law.•Nehemiah 8:7. Another Levite

H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H3225 יָמִין
Definition:

6(Proverbs 27:16 no except, see Now Str)right hand(Late Hebrewid.; SI3מימןon the right; Aramaicיַמִּינָא,; Arabicright, right side, right hand, south; Ethiopicright hand,right side, Sabeanימןright han 6(Proverbs 27:16 no except, see Now Str)right hand(Late Hebrewid.; SI3מימןon the right; Aramaicיַמִּינָא,; Arabicright, right side, right hand, south; Ethiopicright hand,right side, Sabeanימןright han

H8040 שְׂמֹאול
Definition:

7)54noun [masculine]the left(Late Hebrewid.; Assyrianšumêlu;Arabic(alsoand,,north wind); Old Aramaicשמאל, Palmyrene (suffix)סמלך; Syriac; √ dubious,שאם+לNöM 128HomA. u. A. i. (1892), 21Köii. 1. 148, 4 7)54noun [masculine]the left(Late Hebrewid.; Assyrianšumêlu;Arabic(alsoand,,north wind); Old Aramaicשמאל, Palmyrene (suffix)סמלך; Syriac; √ dubious,שאם+לNöM 128HomA. u. A. i. (1892), 21Köii. 1. 148, 4

H6305 פְדָיָה
Definition:

1father-in-law of Josiah2 Kings 23:36, butᵐ5Εδειλ(ᵐ5LΙερεμιας, from2 Kings 23:31).2father of Zerubbabel1 Chronicles 3:18,19.3. a.Nehemiah 3:25.b.Nehemiah 8:4.4BenjamiteNehemiah 11:7.5LeviteNehemiah 13 1father-in-law of Josiah2 Kings 23:36, butᵐ5Εδειλ(ᵐ5LΙερεμιας, from2 Kings 23:31).2father of Zerubbabel1 Chronicles 3:18,19.3. a.Nehemiah 3:25.b.Nehemiah 8:4.4BenjamiteNehemiah 11:7.5LeviteNehemiah 13

H4332 מִישָׁאֵל
Definition:

—1a cousin of MosesExodus 6:22;Leviticus 10:4(P).2one of Daniel's companionsDaniel 1:5,7,11,19 +Daniel 2:17(Aramaic), elsewhere in with 2-3 calledמֵישַׁךְ(Daniel 1:7).3Nehemiah 8:4.מִישָׁאֵלproper nam —1a cousin of MosesExodus 6:22;Leviticus 10:4(P).2one of Daniel's companionsDaniel 1:5,7,11,19 +Daniel 2:17(Aramaic), elsewhere in with 2-3 calledמֵישַׁךְ(Daniel 1:7).3Nehemiah 8:4.מִישָׁאֵלproper nam

Possible Meanings:
  • Who is what God is (semantic_range)
H4441 מַלְכִּיָּה
Definition:

6),מַלְכִּיָּהproper name, masculine(my king is Yah; compare GrayProp. N. 119 f., 146 and elsewhere); —ᵐ5Μελχ(ε)ια(ς). —1father of PashhurJeremiah 21:1;Jeremiah 38:1, compare1 Chronicles 9:12(priest), 6),מַלְכִּיָּהproper name, masculine(my king is Yah; compare GrayProp. N. 119 f., 146 and elsewhere); —ᵐ5Μελχ(ε)ια(ς). —1father of PashhurJeremiah 21:1;Jeremiah 38:1, compare1 Chronicles 9:12(priest),

H2828 חָשֻׁם
Definition:

19=Nehemiah 7:22;Ezra 10:33compareNehemiah 8:4;Nehemiah 10:19.Topical LexiconIdentity and SettingHashum designates a post-exilic family headed by a man of the same name. Though the tribe to which they 19=Nehemiah 7:22;Ezra 10:33compareNehemiah 8:4;Nehemiah 10:19.Topical LexiconIdentity and SettingHashum designates a post-exilic family headed by a man of the same name. Though the tribe to which they

H2806 חַשְׁבַּדָּנָה
Definition:

4; B omits; AΑσαβααμα,ᵐ5LΑβαανας.Topical LexiconBiblical OccurrenceHashbaddanah appears once in the Old Testament—Nehemiah 8:4—where he stands on Ezra’s left as the Law is read to the returned exiles. 4; B omits; AΑσαβααμα,ᵐ5LΑβαανας.Topical LexiconBiblical OccurrenceHashbaddanah appears once in the Old Testament—Nehemiah 8:4—where he stands on Ezra’s left as the Law is read to the returned exiles.

H2148 זְכַרְיָה
Definition:

Or Zkaryahuw {zek-ar-yaw'-hoo}; fromzakarandYahh; Jah has remembered; Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites -- Zachariah, Zechariah.see HEBREWzakarsee HEBREWYahhBrown-Driver-Briggsזְכַרְיָהוּ, Or Zkaryahuw {zek-ar-yaw'-hoo}; fromzakarandYahh; Jah has remembered; Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites -- Zachariah, Zechariah.see HEBREWzakarsee HEBREWYahhBrown-Driver-Briggsזְכַרְיָהוּ,

H4918 מְשֻׁלָּם
Definition:

1grandfather of Shaphan2 Kings 22:3.2son of Zerubbabel1 Chronicles 3:19.3in Benjamin:a.1 Chronicles 8:17, perhaps =b.1 Chronicles 9:7.c.1 Chronicles 9:8.d.Nehemiah 11:7.4in Gad1 Chronicles 5:13.5wall- 1grandfather of Shaphan2 Kings 22:3.2son of Zerubbabel1 Chronicles 3:19.3in Benjamin:a.1 Chronicles 8:17, perhaps =b.1 Chronicles 9:7.c.1 Chronicles 9:8.d.Nehemiah 11:7.4in Gad1 Chronicles 5:13.5wall-

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