with the specified time, although it must be observed that this was not a worship service—which follows with the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles (vss. 13–18). It was not a regularly constituted service, as may be seen from the place (the Water Gate—regular services were held in the temple courts) and character of the participants (men, women, and anyone who could understand what was read). The seventh month was the time for celebration of the Atonement (Lev 16:29, 23:27, 25:9) and the Feast
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