Matthew Poole and continuators on Nehemiah 8:13

13 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 law .

Chusing rather to confess their ignorance for their edification, then vainly to pretend to more knowledge than they had: wherein they shew both true humility, and serious godliness, that they were more careful to learn and practice their duty than to preserve their reputation with the people.

That they might more exactly understand the meaning of some things which they had heard before, and so instruct the people in them.

Marginal references: Or, that they might instruct in the words of the law.