Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Esra lovet Herren, Den store Gud, og hele folket svarte: «Amen, amen!», mens de løftet hendene sine. Så bøyde de seg ned og tilba Herren med ansiktet mot jorden. Det var også andre som hadde som oppgave å veilede folket så de kunne forstå loven. Disse mennene var Josva, Bani, Sjerebja, Jamin, Akkub, Sjabbetai, Hodia, Ma’aseja, Kelita, Asarja, Josabad, Hanan og Pelaja og levittene. Folket ble stående på plassen sin mens de leste klart og tydelig fra boken med Guds Lov. De forklarte og veiledet dem slik at de skulle forstå det de leste.
What Does This Mean?
Ezra, a priest and scribe, blessed God, and the people responded with 'Amen' while lifting their hands and bowing their heads in worship. This shows the community's agreement and reverence for God.
Explained for Children
Imagine when you say 'Amen' after someone says a prayer. That's what the people did here. They lifted their hands and bowed down, showing how much they loved and respected God.
Historical Background
Nehemiah 8 was written by Nehemiah in the 5th century BC. It describes the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and their recommitment to the Law. This verse captures a moment of communal worship and reverence.
Living It Out Today
In a modern church service, when a minister gives a blessing, we might respond with 'Amen' and bow our heads in reverence, just as the people did here. It's a way to show agreement and respect for God.
What is the significance of saying 'Amen' in this verse?
Saying 'Amen' signifies agreement and affirmation. In this context, it shows the people's agreement with Ezra's blessing and their reverence for God.
How did the people show reverence?
The people showed reverence by lifting their hands and bowing their heads to the ground, demonstrating their respect and submission to God.
Why is communal worship important?
Communal worship strengthens community bonds and expresses a collective reverence for God, as seen when the people responded together to Ezra's blessing.
How can we apply this verse in modern worship?
In modern worship, we can apply this by responding with 'Amen' and engaging in similar acts of reverence, such as bowing our heads, to show our agreement and respect for God.