John Trapp on Nehemiah 8:15-16

Verſe 15. And that they ſhould publiſh and proclaim] Heb. Make a voice to paſſe, viz. for better preparation, and greater ſolemnity. God will not take up with a careleſſe and ſlubberd ſervice: he is a great King and ſtands greatly upon his ſeniority, Mal. 1.14.

Go forth unto the m[illegible: 1 letter]unt] Which is covered with all ſorts of trees: and nothing like the countrey Axylus, which is ſo called, becauſe no trees grow in it, no not ſo much as thorns, or any kind of fuell.Liv. Lib. 38. Thorough this countrey marched Manlius the Roman General, when he went againſt the Gallograeci.

And fetch olive-branches, and vine-branches, &c.] Fit for ſhelter and ſhadow againſt the weather. That is very ſtrange that yet is reported by Authors of good note, concerning certain trees in Braſile, Abbots Geog. pag. 271. of that bigneſs that whole families live in an arme of one of them, every tree being as populous, as many of our Villages.

And branches of thick trees] Tyed together with willowes of the brook, Levit: 23.40.

Verſ: 16. So the people went forth, and brought them] They had kept the feaſt of trumpets on the firſt day of this moneth. And although no mention be here made of the Feaſt of Expiation, a day of Humiliation to be kept for ever upon the tenth day: yet it is to be preſumed, that they kept it, having ſo good a guide as Ezra. Now alſo, as not weary of well-doing, they doe moſt ſolemnely celebrate the Feaſt of Tabernacles, making themſelves booths of boughes in every ſtreet thoroughout the whole City.