John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And he read therein , etc.] Some passages in it, here and there, which it was necessary the people should have knowledge of; for it can hardly be thought be began and read on just in the order in which it was: this he did before the street ; at the top of it, at one end of it: that was before the water gate ; which looked directly to that: from the morning until midday ; from the rising of the sun to noon, so that he must read six hours; but very probably was relieved at times by the men with him, after mentioned: before the men and the women, and those that could understand ; (see Nehemiah 8:2), and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law ; to the hearing of it read, and to the things contained in it; hence Maimonides gathers, that as soon as the reader begins the reading of the law, it is not lawful to speak about anything, not even the constitutions of the law, but silently to attend to what is read.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Sacrifices were to be offered only at the door of the temple; but praying and preaching were, and are, services of religion, a acceptably performed in one place as in another. Masters of familie should bring their families with them to the public worship of God Women and children have souls to save, and are therefore to acquain themselves with the word of God, and to attend on the means of grace Little ones, as they come to reason, must be trained up in religion Ministers when they go to the pulpit, should take their Bibles with them; Ezra did so. Thence they must fetch their knowledge; according to that rule they must speak, and must show that they do so. Reading the Scriptures in religious assemblies is an ordinance of God, whereby he is honoured, and his church edified. Those who hear the word, shoul understand it, else it is to them but an empty sound of words. It is therefore required of teachers that they explain the word, and give the sense of it. Reading is good, and preaching is good, but expoundin makes reading the better understood, and preaching the more convincing It has pleased God in almost every age of the church to raise up, no only those who have preached the gospel, but also those who have give their views of Divine truth in writing; and though many who have attempted to explain Scripture, have darkened counsel by words withou knowledge, yet the labours of others are of excellent use. All that we hear must, however, be brought to the test of Scripture. They hear readily, and minded every word. The word of God demands attention. I through carelessness we let much slip in hearing, there is danger tha through forgetfulness we shall let all slip after hearing.
Original Hebrew ויקרא7121 בו לפני6440 הרחוב7339 אשׁר834 לפני6440 שׁער8179 המים4325 מן4480 האור216 עד5704 מחצית4276 היום3117 נגד5048 האנשׁים376 והנשׁים802 והמבינים995 ואזני241 כל3605 העם5971 אל413 ספר5612 התורה׃8451
