Nehemiah 8:16

So the people went forth There were 13 days before the feast, in which to make preparations.

upon the roof of his house For the use put to the flat roofs of houses in the East cf. Jos 2:6; 1 Samuel 9:25 (Deuteronomy 22:8).

in their courts Eastern houses were generally built in the form of a quadrangle.

in the courts of the house of God This does not refer only to booths erected by priests and Levites; cf. 2 Chronicles 23:5. See Psalms 92:13; Psalms 106:19; Psalms 135:2. A possible allusion to the celebration of this feast -in the courts of the house of God" is to be found in Isaiah 62:9.

the street R.V. the broad place. In the -broad places" Jews from the country could erect their booths.

the water gate See note on Nehemiah 8:3.

the gate of Ephraim Cf. Nehemiah 12:39; 2Ki 14:13; 2 Chronicles 25:23. The gateway probably took its name from the road passing through it which led to Ephraimite territory. It is not mentioned in ch. 3., but see notes on Nehemiah 3:6-8.