And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
Parallel translations
- WEB Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people), and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
- KJV And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
- BSB Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was standing above them all, and as he opened it, all the people stood up.
- NASB Then Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
- NLT Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When Ezra opened the book in full view, all the people stood up. They rose in reverence for God's word.
Overview
As the visible scroll was opened, the whole assembly stood, a spontaneous act of honor toward the Scriptures. Their posture expressed reverence not for a man but for the word of God being read. This reverence teaches that Scripture is to be received with humility and awe as the very voice of the Lord (Isaiah 66:2).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Judg 3:20Ehud came to him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. Ehud said, “I have a message from God to you.” He arose out of his seat.
- 1 Kgs 8:14The king turned his face around, and blessed all the assembly of Israel; and all the assembly of Israel stood.
- Luke 4:16–17He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The rebuilt walls and renewed covenant community foreshadow the greater builder who gathers and secures a people for God, the one who declares 'I will build my church.'
How Nehemiah 8:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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