that day: Some suppose that the events recorded in these verses took place several years after those related in the preceding chapter, while Nehemiah was absent at the Persian court; but the introductory language, on that day, seems rather to imply that they occurred immediately, or at least about that time.
they read: Heb. there was read, Neh 8:3-8, Neh 9:3; Deu 31:11-12; 2Ki 23:2; Isa 34:16; Luk 4:16-19, Luk 10:26; Act 13:15, Act 15:21
audience: Heb. ears
the Ammonite: Neh 13:23; Deu 23:3-5; Isa. 15:1-16:14; Jer 48:1-47; Eze 25:1-11; Amo 2:1-3
Moabite: Neh 2:10, Neh 2:19, Neh 4:3; Psa 83:7-9; Jer 49:1-6; Amo 1:13-15