Definition: And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 8:17 together. It's a really important passage about rebuilding and community. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: The Problem: After a long period of exile, the Israelites were returning to their land after being captured by enemies. The Solution: The people of Israel, especially the descendants of Jeshua (a leader), decided to build temporary shelters – booths – for worship and gatherings. They created these booths to provide a space for prayer, teaching, and fellowship. A Special Time: This was happening from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun until that day . That’s a long time ago! It was a significant period of rebuilding and returning to their homeland. What's Happening in the Verse? “And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity…” – This refers to the Israelites who had been exiled from their land. They were wandering and not living together as a unified community. “…made booths, and sat under the booths:” - They started building temporary structures – booths – to offer space for prayer, worship, and gatherings. “For since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so.” - This is the key part! It means that for a long time , the Israelites didn’t have this custom of building temporary shelters for their religious activities. It was a unique practice they developed. “And there was very great gladness!” – They were overjoyed and happy about creating these spaces to worship God. The Big Picture: This verse highlights a story of rebuilding, community, and joy . It shows that even after a difficult time, the Israelites demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect with God through shared experiences and temporary shelters. It’s a reminder that even in times of separation, faith and community can flourish. In short: The Israelites were building temporary booths for worship, and they were extremely happy about it! It was a testament to their faith and desire to live together as a unified people. --- Do you want me to explain any specific part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like to know: Why is this story significant? What does it tell us about the Israelites’ relationship with God?