And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:

NEHEMIAH 8:14KJV
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Nehemiah 8:14 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 8:14 mean?

Nehemiah 8:14 describes how the people of Israel, while reading the law given by God through Moses, discovered that they were supposed to live in temporary shelters (booths) during a festival in the seventh month. This verse highlights their realization that they had not been following this command and needed to observe the Feast of Booths as instructed.

The setting is after the return from exile, with Ezra reading the law to the gathered people in Jerusalem. The verse shows a moment of rediscovery, as the people learn about a command they had neglected. The "booths" refer to simple shelters made for the Feast of Tabernacles, a festival meant to remind Israel of their ancestors' time living in the wilderness.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 8:14

  • "booths" (סֻכּוֹת, sukkot): This word means temporary shelters or huts. The use of סֻכּוֹת (sukkot) is important because it connects directly to the festival called Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles, which commemorates Israel's journey through the wilderness.
  • "law" (תּוֹרָה, torah): This word often means instruction or teaching, not just legal rules. Here, תּוֹרָה (torah) refers to the instructions God gave through Moses, reminding the reader that these are not just traditions but commands from God.
  • "feast" (חַג, chag): This word refers to a festival or celebration. The use of חַג (chag) emphasizes that this is a joyful, communal event, not just a duty.
  • "seventh month" (שְׁבִיעִי, shevi'i; חֹדֶשׁ, chodesh): The seventh month in the Hebrew calendar is when several important festivals occur, including Sukkot. This timing highlights the importance of the rediscovered command.

Why Nehemiah 8:14 matters

  • Nehemiah 8:14 clears up that the Feast of Booths was not a new invention but a long-standing command from God that had been forgotten during exile.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of returning to the original teachings (torah) and faithfully practicing what was written, not just what was remembered by tradition.
  • This rediscovery sets the stage for the community’s renewed commitment to following God’s instructions, showing how reading and understanding scripture can lead to real changes in practice.

Where else these words appear

“booths” Hebrew H5521 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
  • 1 Kings 20:12 And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.
  • Job 38:40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?

“feast” Hebrew H2282 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.
  • Deuteronomy 16:14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
  • Psalms 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

“seventh” Hebrew H7637 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Leviticus 23:16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
  • 1 Kings 8:2 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.