Nehemiah 8:8
What is written? (ESV)
They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
What does it say?
They [the Levites] read from God’s law and explained it. As a result, the audience understood what was read.
What is its immediate context?
God’s people have returned to the land from captivity (the “remnant”) and have gathered publicly to worship. Ezra is reading aloud and other Priests are mingling among the people explaining (“interpreting”) what is read.
How Nehemiah 8:8 is applied across Bible answers
Who said scripture interprets scripture?
God's law (Scripture) was the only source of the people's knowledge of God's will. Its reading and hearing didn't eliminate the need to explain or teach it meaning as needed for everyone's understanding.
