Choosing rather to confess their ignorance for their edification, than vainly to pretend to more knowledge than they had; wherein they show both true humility and serious godliness, that they were more careful to learn and practise their duty, than to preserve their reputation with the people. Even to understand the words of the law; that they might more exactly understand the meaning of some things which they had heard before, and so instruct the people in them.
Related Commentaries of Nehemiah 8:13
Nehemiah 8:13
13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understandd the words of the law.