As one man. — The unanimity rather than the number is emphatic here.
And they spake unto Ezra. — Who appears in this book for the first time, having probably been at the court for twelve years.
Related Commentaries of Nehemiah 8:1
Nehemiah 8:1
1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.