And Nehemiah which is the Tirshatha,.... Or governor, as Zerubbabel had been, and now Nehemiah, see Ezra 2:63
and Ezra the priest and scribe; see Nehemiah 8:1,
and the Levites that taught the people; see Nehemiah 8:7
said unto all the people, this day is holy unto the Lord your God; being both the new moon and the feast of blowing of trumpets:
mourn not, nor weep; which was unsuitable to a festival, and especially such an one as this, in which trumpets were to be blown, and gladness to be shown, Numbers 10:10
for all the people wept when they heard the words of the law; perceiving they had not kept it, but had broke it in many instances, and so liable to the wrath and judgment of God in case of disobedience.