| Nehemiah 8:9
| And Nehemias (he is Athersatha) and Esdras, the priest and scribe, and the Levites, who interpreted to all the people, said: This is a holy day to the Lord, our God: do not mourn, nor weep: for all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
| Interpreted. St. Jerome renders the same term, made silence, (ver. 7.) as it was the office of the Levites to keep the people in awe, ver. 11. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "taught." They had also (Haydock) to instruct, 1 Esdras 8:16. (Menochius) --- Weep. The Jews had only one feast for mourning, the day of expiation. On all the rest, a holy joy was commended. For the same reason, the Church does not fast on such days. (Calmet) --- Law, reflecting on the threats denounced against transgressors, which they had so lately witnessed. (Tirinus)
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