Matthew Poole and continuators on Nehemiah 8:17

17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity, made booths, and sate under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun, unto that day, had not the children of Israel done so : and there was very great gladness.

Or, surely, as the Hebrew chi is oft used, as hath been noted before. For the following words seem not so much to give a reason of what was last said, or done concerning their dwelling in booths; as to contain the holy writers reflection upon the present celebration of this feast.

Either 1. So as to the matter or substance of the thing. So it implies that all this while the feast of Tabernacles was not observed. Which seems altogether improbable, considering how expresly this was commanded to be celebrated, Levit. 23. &c. and what excellent Kings and Priests, and Prophets there had been within that time, such as were persons of great understanding, and most expert and studious in Gods Word, and therefore could not be ignorant of so plain a duty; and withal so throughly pious, and careful, and zealous for God, and the observation of his law and worship, and some of them commended for their universal obedience to all Gods commands; and therefore would not be guilty of so gross a neglect. Besides that this feast was observed is sufficiently implied in 1▪ Kings 8. 2, 65. & 2 Chr. 7. 9. & is particularly expressed, Ezra 3▪ 4. Or rather 2. So, as to the manner & circumstances. They never kept this feast so joyfully, as the next words declare having not only the same causes of rejoycing which they formerly had, but some special causes to increase their joy, towit, the remembrance of their stupendious deliverance both out of the land of their Captivity, & out of the hands of their wicked & malicious Neighbours ever since their return, & especially now, when they were new building the walls of Ierusalem; they never kept it so solemnly and religiously: for whereas at other times, only the first and last day of that feast were celebrated with an holy convocation, Levit▪ 23. 35, 36. Ioh. 7. 37. now there was an holy convocation, and the people assembled, and attended upon the reading of the law everyday of this feast, as is noted in the next verse.