Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Nehemiah 8:4. It's a really interesting snapshot of the rebuilding effort in Jerusalem! Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Scene: This describes a group of people – priests and officials – gathered to pray and worship God. They are standing together on a platform, likely a pulpit, which was made for this purpose. The People: There's a whole bunch of people present, including: Ezra: A scribe (someone who writes down things) Mattithiah: A priest, probably responsible for reading the Law (the rules and teachings of God). Shema: A specific prayer – it’s a powerful, repeating phrase that means "Hear, we seek God." Anaiah: Another priest, likely involved in the ritual of offering sacrifices. Urijah: A priest. Hilkiah: A priest. Maaseiah: A priest – this is the most important one! He’s a key figure because he was responsible for reading and reciting the Law . The Arrangement: They are standing in a specific order, with each person positioned to face different directions. It looks like a group of people offering prayers together. The “Platform” – The Pulpit: They’re all standing on a platform – a pulpit – which was specifically made for this purpose. It suggests a place of reverence and focused prayer. Overall Meaning – A Reminder of Worship & Responsibility: This passage is telling us that God is present with his people, and he is giving them a space to worship and pray together. It’s a reminder that the rebuilding of Jerusalem was not just about building a city; it was also about actively worshipping and honoring God through prayer and devotion. In short, it's a picture of a group of people dedicated to prayer and reverence in a place designed for that purpose. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these figures further? Connect this passage to other parts of the Bible? Give you a little more context about why this event was important?