Definition: And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 8:13. It's a really important passage about how God wants to share His word with people. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a meeting of leaders – the "chief of the fathers of all the people," the priests, and the Levites – to listen to a teacher (Ezra) read from the Bible. They were specifically gathering to understand the words of God’s law. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And on the second day…” : This refers to a specific day, likely a significant day in the Jewish calendar. “…were gathered together…” : Think of it like a group meeting. People came together. “…the chief of the fathers of all the people…” : These were influential figures – leaders who held important positions within the community. They represented the whole population. “…the priests…” : This highlights that these people were religious leaders, responsible for maintaining the laws and traditions of God. “…and the Levites…” : The Levites were a group of people who served as scribes – they kept records of the law. They were deeply involved in reading and teaching it. "...unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law." : This is the key part! They specifically asked Ezra to read from the Bible. He was chosen to help them grasp what God’s laws were all about. What does this tell us about God's plan? This verse shows that God wants to teach His people through His word, and he has a way of making sure those who are trusted – like these leaders – can understand it. It emphasizes the importance of listening to and studying the Bible because it holds the key to understanding God’s will for his people. In short: This verse describes a gathering of important religious leaders to receive a lesson about the Bible, so they can learn and apply God's laws to their lives. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story in more detail? Connect this verse to a specific biblical principle (like the importance of listening or learning)?