1. All the people gathered. The introduction to the narrative of 8 is identical with that of Ezra 3 (Neh. 7:73 to 8:1; Ezra 3:1). The same matter, the assembling of the people on the approach of the seventh month, is described in the same words. But the object of this assembling of the people was different from that mentioned in Ezra 3. In Ezra, they met to restore the altar of burnt offering and the sacrificial worship; now they gather for the purpose of celebrating the great feasts of the 7th month and for religious instruction. It does not seem that the people were summoned for this gathering, but habitually arrived at the Temple at that time. It is therefore likely that Ezra had instituted such meetings after his return from Babylon 13 years earlier, and that it had become a habit in Judea to gather in Jerusalem at the beginning of the civil year (see II, 110) for instruction and for the celebration of the three great feasts of that month: the Blowing of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:24-43; see on Ex. 23:14; Deut. 6:16).
The water gate. For see on 3:26.
They spake. It is remarkable that the people came asking for instruction. Though many of them were negligent in observing the law, they nevertheless felt a desire to hear it read. Not content with existing conditions, they desired to reach a higher level in their spiritual experience and were convinced that the hearing of God’s Word would benefit them.
Ezra the scribe. See on Ezra 7:6.
The book of the law. The people were acquainted with the Pentateuch, here referred to, and knew that Ezra was versed in it.