And Esdras opened the book before all the people: for he was above all the people: and when he had opened it, all the people stood.

And Ezra openeth the book before the eyes of all the people, for above all the people he hath been, and at his opening it all the people have stood up,

And Ezra took the book, opening it before the eyes of all the people (for he was higher than the people); and when it was open, all the people got to their feet:

Ezra opened the scroll in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

And Ezra opened the book before all the people. For he stood out above all the people. And when he had opened it, all the people stood up.

Stood up - The attitude of attention and respect. Compare the existing practice of the Christian Church at the reading of the Gospel for the day.

All the people stood up - This was out of respect to the sacred word: in imitation of this, when the gospel for the day is read in our churches, all the people stand up.

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was (d) above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
(d) So that his voice might be heard the better.

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people),.... So plainly seen by them, and what he did, and the more easily heard, for which purpose the pulpit was made for him to stand in:
and, when he opened it, all the people stood up; that they might the better hear the law read, as well as in honour and reverence of it; the Jews say (m), that from the times of Moses to Rabban Gamaliel, they learned the law only standing; but after his death a disease came into the world, and they learned it sitting; and now it is a canon with them, that it is not necessary to stand at the reading of the law (n).
(m) T. Bab. Megillah, fol. 21. 1. (n) Schulchan Aruch, par. 1. Orach Chayim, c. 146. sect. 4.

when he opened it, all the people stood up--This attitude they assumed either from respect to God's word, or, rather, because the reading was prefaced by a solemn prayer, which was concluded by a general expression of "Amen, Amen."

Ezra, standing on the raised platform, was above the assembled people (he was כּל־העם מעל). When he opened the book, it was "in the sight of all the people," so that all could see his action; and "all the people stood up" (עמדוּ). It cannot be shown from the O.T. that it had been from the days of Moses a custom with the Israelites to stand at the reading of the law, as the Rabbis assert; comp. Vitringa, de Synag. vet. p. 167.