Nehemiah 8

Jehovah, Giver of the Law

And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. Nehemiah 8:1

The law Ezra reads was commanded by the LORD, Jehovah. The resurrected Savior told the Nephites, "I am he that gave the law," and the Book of Mormon teaches the whole law was a type pointing to Him.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — Christ: "I am he that gave the law"
• interpreted by Mosiah 13:30-31 — the law's performances were types of things to come

Jehovah

And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Nehemiah 8:6

The whole congregation bows to the ground and worships the LORD, Jehovah, the premortal Christ, as His word is opened.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Jehovah

And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Nehemiah 8:9–10

When the people weep over their failures under the law, their leaders turn them to joy in the LORD. Strength comes from the joy He gives, not from their own record.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Feast of Tabernacles

And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month: Nehemiah 8:14–17

The Feast of Tabernacles remembered Israel living in booths while the LORD dwelt among them in the wilderness. Jesus chose this feast to invite the thirsty to come to Him, and John says the Word "dwelt" (tabernacled) among us; prophets foresee the nations keeping it to worship the King.

• a type of what is in John 7:2 — Jesus at the feast of tabernacles
• a type of what is in John 7:37-38 — on the great day of the feast: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me"
• a type of what is in John 1:14 — the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us
• alludes to Zechariah 14:16 — nations go up to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and keep the feast of tabernacles

Jeshua (Joshua) son of Nun

Jeshua / Joshua — "Jehovah saves"; the same Hebrew name as Jesus

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. Nehemiah 8:17

Joshua son of Nun is here called Jeshua, the Hebrew form of the name Jesus, meaning "Jehovah saves." Joshua led Israel into the promised land, a type of Jesus leading His people into rest; the King James New Testament even calls Joshua "Jesus."

• the same title in Hebrews 4:8 — KJV renders Joshua as "Jesus": "if Jesus had given them rest"
• alludes to Numbers 13:16 — Moses renames Oshea as Jehoshua