Nehemiah 8:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ezra blesses the LORD, and the people answer Amen, lift their hands, and bow to the ground in worship.
What Does Nehemiah 8:6 Mean?
Before a word of the law is explained, Ezra blesses the LORD, the great God, and the people respond with a double 'Amen.' Then their whole bodies join in -- hands lifted, heads bowed, faces to the ground. Hearing the word turns at once into worship.
'Amen' means 'so be it, it is firm and true.' The people are not passive listeners but active worshipers, agreeing with their whole selves to what God has said. Reverent joy and humble surrender belong together; the same heart that lifts its hands also bows its face to the earth.
Nehemiah 8:6 in the Original Language
amen (אָמֵן), 'truly' -- a word of firm agreement, affirming that what is said is sure and trustworthy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 8:6
What does Nehemiah 8:6 mean?
Ezra blesses the LORD, and the people answer Amen, lift their hands, and bow to the ground in worship.