So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
This verse belongs to the account of the public reading of God's law and requirements in Ezra's day and of how that reading affected the hearers. The Levites united with Ezra in explaining the principles of the law to the people, and because intermarriage with other nations had corrupted the Hebrew language, great care was necessary to read distinctly from the book of the law and to give the sense in the language of the people so that all could understand.
As the people heard the law they grieved over their sins, recognizing their failure to keep God's commandments and remembering the consequences of disobedience. The Levites calmed and quieted all the people, telling them to be still and quiet and not to mourn because the day was holy. Instead of continued sorrow, the day was to be marked by joy and sharing, with rejoicing and praise to God for His mercy.
It was a joyful privilege for a people restored from exile who could again hear Scripture. A proclamation like this reading was expected to be followed by deep repentance and a return to the Lord.
This verse belongs to the account of the public reading of God's law and requirements in Ezra's day and of how that reading affected the hearers. The Levites united with Ezra in explaining the principles of the law to the people, and because intermarriage with other nations had corrupted the Hebrew language, great care was necessary to read distinctly from the book of the law and to give the sense in the language of the people so that all could understand.
As the people heard the law they grieved over their sins, recognizing their failure to keep God's commandments and remembering the consequences of disobedience. The Levites calmed and quieted all the people, telling them to be still and quiet and not to mourn because the day was holy. Instead of continued sorrow, the day was to be marked by joy and sharing, with rejoicing and praise to God for His mercy.
It was a joyful privilege for a people restored from exile who could again hear Scripture. A proclamation like this reading was expected to be followed by deep repentance and a return to the Lord.