The Torah Is Read and Explained

The people gather “as one man” at the Water Gate and ask Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses. Men, women, and all who can understand listen from morning until midday. Ezra stands on a raised wooden platform, blesses the LORD, and the people answer with worship. Levites then help the people understand what is read. The Hebrew wording in verse 8 can be understood as reading distinctly and giving explanation; an old rabbinic tradition sees Aramaic translation here, but the verse does not prove that a formal Targum system began on this day. The unmistakable point is that public Scripture is not merely recited—it is made intelligible to the gathered community.