Nehemiah 8:15-17

8:15 and that they should make a proclamation and disseminate this message 1  in all their cities and in Jerusalem: 2  “Go to the hill country and bring back olive branches and branches of wild olive trees, myrtle trees, date palms, and other leafy trees to construct temporary shelters, as it is written.”

8:16 So the people went out and brought these things 3  back and constructed temporary shelters for themselves, each on his roof and in his courtyard and in the courtyards of the temple 4  of God and in the plaza of the Water Gate and the plaza of the Ephraim Gate. 8:17 So all the assembly which had returned from the exile constructed temporary shelters and lived in them. The Israelites had not done so from the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day. Everyone experienced very great joy. 5 

1 tn Heb “a voice.”

2 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

3 tn The words “these things” are not in the Hebrew text but have been supplied in the translation for clarity.

4 tn Heb “the house.”

5 tn Heb “And there was very great joy.”