John Trapp on Nehemiah 8:13

Verſe 13. And on the ſecond day] The next day after they had heard the Law expounded; but were not ſo well ſatisfied in ſome points or caſes they follow on to know the Lord, Hoſ. 6.3. Divine knowledge is as a great Lady, that will not eaſily be acquainted with us, but upon further ſuit, Prov. 2.3, 4.

Were gathered together, the chief of the Fathers, &c.] Aeneas Sylvius was wont to ſay of knowledge, Popular men ſhould eſteem it as ſilver, Noblemen as gold, Princes prize it as pearles.

The Prieſts and Levites] Theſe Teachers of others took no ſcorn to learn of Ezra that perfect Scribe. The wiſeſt here know but in part: becauſe we propheſie but in part, 1 Cor. 13. ver. 9. that is, we are taught but imperfectly, and thoſe that ſhould ſhew us the way, are themſelves to ſeek: to teach us to run to Ithiel the Arch-prophet, as that great Wiſeman did, Prov. 30.1. The greateſt part of thoſe things which we know, is the leaſt part of the things which we know not, as that Father ſaith.

Ʋnto Ezra the Scribe] Who was well inſtructed to the Kingdome of God; and no leſſe ready to throw out of his treaſury, &c. Matth. 13.52. It is ſaid of Tacitus, that he knew all that he ſhould know of the affaires of the World: and that he was primus in Hiſtoria;Scalig. and that ex ejus ore nil temerè excidit. Think the ſame of Ezra, and much more: he was an able Teacher of the ableſt Teachers, a ſacred oracle, a living library, the arguteſt and accurateſt of men after the Prophets; as Auſtin is ſaid to have been after the Apoſtles, in contemplation, and diſputation.

Even to underſtand the words of the Law] Which he had the day before expounded: and in ſome paſſages whereof they had a deſire to be better reſolved and ſatisfied. No man can poſſibly ſpeak al at once, or deliver the mind of God ſo clearly and fully, but that there may be place left for Caſes and Queries.