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.

NEHEMIAH 8:4KJV
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Nehemiah 8:4 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 8:4 mean?

Nehemiah 8:4 describes the arrangements for Ezra’s public reading of the law. Ezra stands on a wooden platform made for the occasion, with named men positioned on both sides of him.

After the crowd has gathered to hear Ezra in verse 3, this verse lets readers picture where he stands. The men beside him are arranged in two groups: six on his right and seven on his left.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 8:4

  • “pulpit” — מִגְדָּל (migdal): This word can mean a raised structure or tower. Here it points to an elevated wooden platform, not necessarily the kind of pulpit found in a church today.
  • “scribe” — סֹפֵר (sofer): The word can describe someone skilled in writing and handling written documents. Here it identifies Ezra by his work with the written law he is about to read.

Why Nehemiah 8:4 matters

  • Ezra reads as part of a visible group, not as the only person on display. The verse names the men beside him and gives their places on his right and left.
  • The platform helps explain how the crowd can see Ezra. In verse 5, Ezra opens the book “in the sight of all the people,” because he is above them.

Where else these words appear

“Anaiah” Hebrew H6043 · used in 2 verses

“Shema” Hebrew H8087 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 2:43 And the sons of Hebron; Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:44 And Shema begat Raham, the father of Jorkoam: and Rekem begat Shammai.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:8 And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon:

“Hashum” Hebrew H2828 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 2:19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
  • Ezra 10:33 Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.
  • Nehemiah 7:22 The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.

“Mishael” Hebrew H4332 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 6:22 And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.
  • Daniel 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
  • Daniel 1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,