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NEHEMIAH 9
PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS
| NKJV | NRSV | TEV | NJB (MT Versing) |
| The People Confess Their Sin | The Great Confession | The People Confess Their Sin | The Ceremony of Expiation |
| 9:1-4 | 9:1-5 | 9:1-3 | 9:1-37 |
| 9:4 | |||
| 9:5-8 (5b) (5c-6) |
9:5 (5b) |
(5b) |
|
| The Prayer of Confession | |||
| 9:6-8 | 9:6-8 (6-8) |
(6) |
|
| (7-8) | (7-8) | ||
| 9:9-15 (9-12) (13-15) |
9:9-15 | 9:9-14 (9-14) |
(9-15) |
| 9:15-21 (15-21) |
|||
| 9:16-25 (16-21) |
9:16-25 | (16-21) |
|
(22-25) |
9:22-25 (22-25) |
(22-25) |
|
| 9:26-31 (26-27) (28-31) |
9:26-31 | 9:26-31 (26-31) |
(26-37) |
| 9:32-37 (32-35) (36-37) |
9:32-37 | 9:32-37 (32-37) |
|
| The People Sign an Agreement (9:38-10:27) |
|||
| 9:38 (38) |
9:38 | 9:38-10:1 |
READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which
means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the
light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not
relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. Nehemiah's summary of YHWH's gracious acts and covenant faithfulness (cf. Neh. 9:17) may have come from Ezra's reading of the Book of Moses (i.e., Pentateuch).
B. The chapter outlines as
1. YHWH as creator (Gen. 1-11), Neh. 9:6
2. YHWH's choice of Abraham (Gen. 12-50), Neh. 9:7-8
3. YHWH's actions in the Exodus (Exodus), Neh. 9:9-14
4. YHWH's faithful care and provision during the wilderness wandering period (Numbers), Neh. 9:15-21
5. YHWH's promises to Abraham fulfilled (period of the conquest, i.e., Joshua), Neh. 9:22-25
6. Israel's further rebellion (period of the Judges), Neh. 9:26-31
7. YHWH's covenant faithfulness and Israel's unfaithfulness continue (the period of the Monarchy), Neh. 9:32-38
C. Nehemiah 9 shows the theological basis of Israel's history — YHWH's faithfulness to His covenant; Israel's unfaithfulness to His covenant. It was not YHWH's powerlessness, but Israel's sin that brought destruction and exile; however, it is because of YHWH's character and power that Israel exists and is back in the Promised Land!
WORD AND PHRASE STUDY
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: NEHEMIAH 9:1-4
1Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth and with dirt upon them. 2The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the Lord their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God. 4Now on the Levites' platform stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Chenani, and they cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God.
9:1 "on the twenty-fourth day of this month, the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, with dirt upon them" Two days after the Feast of the Booths (cf. Neh. 8:13-18) and twenty-three days after the reading of the law (cf. Neh. 8:2), the repentant actions so characteristic of the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 16, which was to be observed on the 10th day) occurred (cf. Neh. 1:4). During the reading of the law these returnees felt these same feelings of remorse and guilt (cf. Neh. 8:9). Israel needed forgiveness as the rest of chapter 9 clearly shows. Their covenant God was faithful (cf. Ezra 9:8-9), but they were not (cf. Neh. 1:6; Ezra 9:6-7,10).
▣ "fasting, in sackcloth" See Special Topic: Grieving Rites.
9:2 "descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners" This VERB (BDB 95, KB 110, Niphal IMPERFECT) means "to withdraw from," "separate ourselves from." This withdrawal was for the stated purpose of obeying YHWH's commands (cf. Exod. 33:16; Lev. 20:24,26; Ezra 6:21; 9:1; 10:1). To worship and obey YHWH meant a complete break with the pagan and semi-pagan culture and practices (cf. Lev. 20:24,26; e.g., marriages to foreign women).
▣ "confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers" This VERB (BDB 392, KB 389 II, Hithpael IMPERFECT) means "to confess" (cf. Lev. 5:5; 16:21; Ezra 10:1; Neh. 1:6; Dan. 9:4,20). Apparently this confession involved personal and national sin (e.g., Lev. 26-40; Jer. 3:25; 14:20).
9:3 "they stood in their place" This seems to refer to Neh. 8:4 (cf. Neh. 9:4).
▣ "they read from the book of the law of the Lord their God for a fourth of the day" These returnees longed to be instructed from the Law of Moses. It seems at this point that a major turning point in the life of the Jews occurred. Instead of being primarily people of the temple (ritual, liturgy, and form) they became people of the Book (the influence of the synagogue). This was a reading/teaching session lasting three hours in the morning (Bible study) and three hours in the afternoon (confession and worship).
9:4 If Neh. 9:3 refers to Neh. 8:4, then this verse must refer to a separate platform. The names mentioned here refer to the Levites of Neh. 8:7, who translated and interpreted Ezra's (and the men standing with him) words.
These two groups may have been involved in antiphonal reading interspersed with translation and interpretation.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: NEHEMIAH 9:5-8
5Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah, said, "Arise, bless the Lord your God forever and ever!
O may Your glorious name be blessed
And exalted above all blessing and praise!
6You alone are the Lord.
You have made the heavens,
The heaven of heavens with all their host,
The earth and all that is on it,
The seas and all that is in them.
You give life to all of them
And the heavenly host bows down before You.
7You are the Lord God,
Who chose Abram And brought him out from Ur of the Chaldees,
And gave him the name Abraham.
8You found his heart faithful before You,
And made a covenant with him
To give him the land of the Canaanite,
Of the Hittite and the Amorite,
Of the Perizzite, the Jebusite and the Girgashite—
To give it to his descendants.
And You have fulfilled Your promise,
For You are righteous."
9:5 The Septuagint adds the phrase "and Ezra said. . ." Apparently it is asserting the authorship of chapter 9 to Ezra instead of the Levite leaders, as the MT implies. The rest of this chapter is a history of God's faithful covenant promises and the people's unfaithful responses.
▣ "Arise, bless" These are both IMPERATIVES. The first VERB (BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal IMPERATIVE) means "to stand up." Apparently unlike Ezra's first reading of the Law (cf. chapter 8), the people did not stand up the entire time (cf. Neh. 8:5).
The second VERB (BDB 138, KB 159 II, used twice, the first a Piel IMPERATIVE, the second a Piel IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense) means to praise or adore for having special power (cf. Neh. 8:6; 1 Chr. 29:20).
▣ "the Lord your God" The covenant name of God, YHWH, translated Lord, is from the Hebrew VERB "to be" and refers to the ever-living, only-living One!
Special Topic: Names for Deity, C. and D.
▣ "forever and ever" This is literally "from everlasting to everlasting." It is used of YHWH in Ps. 41:13; 106:48.
Special Topic: Forever ('olam)
▣ "Your glorious name" The name is a Hebraic idiom for a person (e.g., Exod. 32:33; 1 Chr. 28:13; Ps. 72:19; Acts 1:18; 4:10). God is glorious.
Special Topic: Glory (kabod, OT)
Special Topic: "The Name" of YHWH
▣ "above all blessing and praise" The TEV catches the meaning as "although no human praise is great enough."
9:6 This verse is an emphasis on God as the only (in the spirit of Exod. 20:2-3 and Deut. 6:4) Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Here creation is attributed to YHWH. Usually it is attributed to Elohim (cf. Genesis 1).
▣ "You have made the heavens" This phrase is parallel to "the earth and all that is on it." "Heavens" here refers to the atmosphere of this planet (cf. Gen. 1:1).
▣ "the heaven of heavens with all their hosts" This seems to refer to the ancient association of heavenly bodies (e.g., sun, moon, planets, stars, comets) with gods or angels (cf. Neh. 9:6g; Deut. 4:19; Job 38:7).
There has been an ongoing discussion among the rabbis as to how many "heavens" there are and to what they refer. The "highest" heaven would be God's throne. Some see this as the third heaven (cf. 2 Cor. 12:2), while others assert "seventh heaven" (b. Hagigah 11b).
In this context the "heavens of heavens" refers to the starry heavens (cf. Deut. 10:14; Ps. 148:3-4) that personified worship and praise to God.
Special Topic: The Heavens and the Third Heaven
| NASB, REB | "You give life to all of them" |
| NKJV, Peshitta | "You preserve them all" |
| NRSV | "to all of them you give life" |
| TEV | "you gave life to all" |
| NJB, JPSOA | "You keep them all alive" |
| LXX | "You give everything life" |
This VERB (BDB 310, KB 309, Piel PARTICIPLE) can mean
YHWH is creator, sustainer, and restorer of life (cf. Col. 1:16-17)!
9:7-8 This seems to deal with God's choosing and covenanting with Abraham (cf. Genesis 12-18).
Special Topic: Covenant Promises to the Patriarchs
9:7 "the Lord God" This is YHWH Elohim. This combined title occurs first in Gen. 2:4.
Special Topic: Names for Deity, C. and D.
▣ "Who chose Abraham" This VERB (BDB 103, KB 119, Qal PERFECT) refers to God's choice. Here of Abraham (cf. Genesis 12); in Deut. 7:6-7 of Israel as a people. This refers theologically to the initiation of a covenant relationship. God must initiate. The burning question is does He call, choose, initiate to all or to some select group? Even in the OT, the choice of Abraham was a means to choose all humans (cf. Gen. 12:3); the choice of Israel was a choice for all humans (cf. Exod. 19:4-6, esp. Neh. 9:5c).
Special Topic: Election/Predestination and the Need for a Theological Balance
Special Topic: Predestination (Calvinism) vs. Human Free Will (Arminianism)
Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan
▣ "brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees" Originally Abraham's family were apparently worshipers of the moon god (cf. Gen. 11:31). Ur was one of several centers for moon god (i.e., Sin or Zin) worship. At this point, in history all were polytheists (many gods) or henotheists (many gods, but one special god for me).
▣ "gave him the name Abraham" His original name "Abram" means "exalted Father" (BDB 4, KB 10). The name Abraham means "chief of a multitude" (BDB 4, KB, cf. Gen. 17:5, where it is defined as "the father of a multitude of nations").
9:8 "You found his heart faithful before You" Because of the use of the word "faithful," this must refer to Gen. 15:6 (cf. Rom. 4:3,9,22; Gal. 3:6; James 2:23), which refers to God's promise of descendants. Abraham's faith is fully revealed in Gen. 22 (cf. James 2:22).
Special Topic: Believe, Trust, Faith, and Faithfulness in the OT
▣ "And made a covenant with him" This covenant is first delineated in Gen. 12:1-3, but reaffirmed in chapters 15 and 17.
▣ "give him the land of the Canaanite" This aspect of the covenant is fully delineated in Gen. 15:17-21. For a full discussion of these tribes of Canaan see Ezra 9:1.
Special Topic: Pre-Israelite Inhabitants of Palestine
▣ "to his descendants" This is literally the term "seed." In the OT it focuses on the Jewish people, but in the NT Paul sees it as referring uniquely to Christ (cf. Gal. 3:15-22).
▣ "You have fulfilled Your promise" This relates to Gen. 15:12-21, which refers to the Exodus from Egypt and the conquest of Canaan.
▣ "For You are righteous" This relates to YHWH's character (cf. 2 Chr. 12:6; Ezra 9:15), but the same term is used in Neh. 9:33, translated "just" and refers to His actions (i.e., judgments, cf. Exod. 9:27; Ps. 119:137; 145:17). The specific text that relates to the reason for the Canaanite defeat is Deut. 9:4-6.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: NEHEMIAH 9:9-15
9"You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt,
And heard their cry by the Red Sea.
10Then You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh,
Against all his servants and all the people of his land;
For You knew that they acted arrogantly toward them,
And made a name for Yourself as it is this day.
11You divided the sea before them,
So they passed through the midst of the sea on dry ground;
And their pursuers You hurled into the depths,
Like a stone into raging waters.
12And with a pillar of cloud You led them by day,
And with a pillar of fire by night
To light for them the way
In which they were to go.
13Then You came down on Mount Sinai,
And spoke with them from heaven;
You gave them just ordinances and true laws,
Good statutes and commandments.
14So You made known to them Your holy sabbath,
And laid down for them commandments, statutes and law,
Through Your servant Moses.
15You provided bread from heaven for them for their hunger,
You brought forth water from a rock for them for their thirst,
And You told them to enter in order to possess
The land which You swore to give them."
9:9-14 This deals with the period of the Exodus and wilderness wandering period. God's promise and fulfillment of bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt is a recurrent theme (e.g., Ps. 78:12ff; 105:23ff; 106:7ff; 135:8ff; 136:10ff).
9:9 "You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt" This relates to Exod. 2:25; 3:7 (Acts 7:34).
▣ "And heard their cry by the Red Sea" This refers specifically to Exodus 14.
9:10 This verse refers to the series of plagues that YHWH sent through Moses (cf. Exodus 7-11). These plagues target and repudiate the nature and animal gods of Egypt. YHWH wants Egyptians to believe in Him also (cf. Neh. 9:10d; Exod. 9:14-16).
9:11 "their pursuers You hurled into the depths" This refers to Exod. 14, especially Neh. 9:26-31.
▣ "Like a stone into raging waters" This is almost an exact quote from the Song of Moses in Exod. 15:5,10.
9:12 "a pillar of fire" This refers to Shekinah cloud of glory (physical symbol of the presence of YHWH) that separated the children of Israel from the army of Pharaoh, and led them throughout the wilderness wandering period (e.g., Exod. 13:22; 14:19-24; 16:10; 19:9,16; 24:15-18; 34:5; 40:34-38). This is referred to again in Neh. 9:19.
▣ "the way" See Special Topic: The Route of the Exodus.
9:13 "Then You came down on Mount Sinai" See Special Topic: Location of Mt. Sinai.
▣ "You gave them just ordinances and true laws" There are some cultural examples similar to the decalog.
9:14 This verse, like Neh. 9:13, relates to the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai recorded in Exodus 19-20; see note online.
The phrase "Your holy sabbath" probably refers to Exod. 20:8-11, which is a theological development of the seventh day of rest of Gen. 2:1-3.
| NASB, NRSV, TEV, NJB | "Through Your servant Moses" |
| NKJV | "By the hand of Moses Your servant" |
The NKJV retains the literal idiom. Moses is said to have "written" God's laws several times (cf. Exod. 17:14; 24:4,7; 34:27,28; Num. 33:2; Deut. 31:9,22,24-26)!
9:15-21 This is a description of the wilderness wandering period and God's unique care amidst the children of Israel's rebellion (Ezra's theme in chapter 9).
9:15 "You provided bread from heaven" This daily provision of manna is described in Exodus 16, especially vv. 14-15,31.
▣ "You brought forth water from a rock" This must have occurred regularly, but only two times are recorded (Exod. 17:6; Num. 20:7-13).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: NEHEMIAH 9:16-25
16 "But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly;
They became stubborn and would not listen to Your commandments.
17They refused to listen,
And did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them;
So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt.
But You are a God of forgiveness,
Gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness;
And You did not forsake them.
18Even when they made for themselves
A calf of molten metal
And said, 'This is your God
Who brought you up from Egypt,'
And committed great blasphemies,
19You, in Your great compassion,
Did not forsake them in the wilderness;
The pillar of cloud did not leave them by day,
To guide them on their way,
Nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go.
20You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them,
Your manna You did not withhold from their mouth,
And You gave them water for their thirst.
21Indeed, forty years You provided for them in the wilderness and they were not in want;
Their clothes did not wear out, nor did their feet swell.
22You also gave them kingdoms and peoples,
And allotted them to them as a boundary.
They took possession of the land of Sihon the king of Heshbon
And the land of Og the king of Bashan.
23You made their sons numerous as the stars of heaven,
And You brought them into the land
Which You had told their fathers to enter and possess.
24So their sons entered and possessed the land.
And You subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites,
And You gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land,
To do with them as they desired.
25They captured fortified cities and a fertile land.
They took possession of houses full of every good thing,
Hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves,
Fruit trees in abundance.
So they ate, were filled and grew fat,
And reveled in Your great goodness."
9:16-17 Here is the recurrent theme of the chapter.
YHWH's righteousness and Israel's rebellion are graphically revealed in Deut. 9:4-6,7,13,24,27.
| 9:16 | |
| NASB | "they became stubborn" |
| NKJV | "hardened their necks" |
| NRSV, JPSOA, LXX | "stiffened their necks" |
| TEV | "grew. . .stubborn" |
| NJB | "grew obstinate" |
| Peshitta | "they were stubborn" |
The VERB (BDB 904 I, KB 1151, Hiphil IMPERFECT) and the NOUN (BDB 791) both denote purposeful rejection of truth (i.e., rebellion, cf. Neh. 9:17,29; 2 Chr. 30:8; 36:13; Jer. 7:26; 17:23; 19:15).
Special Topic: Stubbornness (OT)
9:17 "Your wondrous deeds" This VERB (BDB 810, KB 927, Niphal PARTICIPLE), can mean "difficult" (cf. Deut. 17:8; Pro. 30:18) or "wonderful" (cf. Exod. 3:20; Ps. 78:12-16). In this passage, like so many Psalms, it refers to God's mighty, powerful, extraordinary acts of deliverance during the exodus, wanderings, and conquest.
Special Topic: Wonderful Things
▣ "appointed a leader to return to their slavery" This relates specifically to Num. 14:4. The precursor is found in Exod. 14:10-12 and Num. 11:1-9.
| NASB, NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB, LXX, NET | "in Egypt" |
| NKJV | ------- |
| JPSOA | "to their slavery" |
| Peshitta | "to their evil works" |
The MT has "to their bondage (BDB 715) in rebellion" (BDB 598). The terms "in rebellion" and "in Egypt" are very similar.
The UBS Text Project, p. 538, gives option #2 a "C" rating (i.e., considerable doubt). So the question is, "Does this phrase refer to an attitude or a location?" Egyptian "affliction" is mentioned in v. 9 and again "Egypt" in v. 18.
▣ "You are a God" There are six specific things stated about God's character.
This is one of a select number of OT texts that delineate the basic nature of God — Exod. 34:6-7; Ps. 103:8; and Joel 2:13.
Part of this text's litany of God's characteristics became a standard way of referring to His character (cf. Ps. 86:15; 145:8; Jonah 4:2). This is who God is! Rejoice and be glad!
Believers' hope is based on the unchanging character of God. Remember the list is given in a verse that describes Israel's intentional rejection of God and His word.
Special Topic: Characteristics of Israel's God
9:18 "they made for themselves a calf of molten metal" The calf may have been a physical representation of YHWH, not another god (cf. Exodus 32).
▣ "and committed great blasphemies" There is a series of sins recorded in Exodus 32.
9:19 "the pillar of cloud" See Special Topic: Coming On the Clouds
9:20 "You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them" God's "good spirit" does not necessarily refer to the NT Trinitarian understanding of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. In the OT God's Spirit is a way of referring to His will being accomplished (cf. Gen. 1:2). In this context it is probably parallel to God's angel who accompanied Israel during the wilderness wandering period (cf. Exod. 3:2; 14:19; 23:20,23,34; 33:2).
Also, God's Spirit is a way of referring to revelation or inspiration (cf. Neh. 9:30; Ps. 143:10). He (NT Trinitarian sense) is the agent of inspiration (cf. Neh. 9:30; Num. 11:17,25,29; 1 Sam. 10:6,9-11; 2 Sam. 23:2; 1 Kgs. 22:24; 1 Chr. 12:18; 2 Chr. 24:20; Isa. 11:2; 42:1; Ezek. 11:5,24; Hos. 9:7; Joel 2:28-29; Micah 3:8; Zech. 7:12).
Special Topic: Spirit in the Bible
9:21 Even though the wilderness wandering period was a time of judgment because of their unbelief, God was with them in a personal, powerful, daily way. The rabbis later called this time "the honeymoon" period because of YHWH's tender care and provision.
The term "forty" is a round, symbolic number. This period only lasted 38 years. The specific reference to the clothes not wearing out is from Deut. 8:4; 29:5.
Special Topic: Symbolic Numbers in Scripture, #7
9:22 This refers to Joshua's conquest on the eastern side of the Jordan (cf. Num. 21:21-35; Ps. 135:11; 136:19-20).
9:23-25 This seems to refer to Joshua's conquest of the land of Canaan.
9:23 "You made their sons numerous as the stars of heaven" This was part of the Abrahamic covenant (cf. Gen. 15:5; 22:17; 26:4; Exod. 32:13, i.e., numerous descendants also referred to as "like the sand of the sea," cf. Gen. 22:12; 32:12; Isa. 48:19; Hos. 1:10). For similar hyperbole see Gen. 13:16; 16:10; 17:20; 28:14.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: NEHEMIAH 9:26-31
26"But they became disobedient and rebelled against You,
And cast Your law behind their backs
And killed Your prophets who had admonished them
So that they might return to You,
And they committed great blasphemies.
27Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their oppressors who oppressed them,
But when they cried to You in the time of their distress,
You heard from heaven, and according to Your great compassion
You gave them deliverers who delivered them from the hand of their oppressors.
28But as soon as they had rest, they did evil again before You;
Therefore You abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they ruled over them.
When they cried again to You, You heard from heaven,
And many times You rescued them according to Your compassion,
29And admonished them in order to turn them back to Your law.
Yet they acted arrogantly and did not listen to Your commandments but sinned against Your ordinances,
By which if a man observes them he shall live.
And they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck, and would not listen.
30However, You bore with them for many years,
And admonished them by Your Spirit through Your prophets,
Yet they would not give ear.
Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
31Nevertheless, in Your great compassion You did not make an end of them or forsake them,
For You are a gracious and compassionate God."
9:26-31 This refers to the period of the Judges, which was one of the darkest periods of Israel's history. Cycle after cycle of sin and restoration!
9:26 "And cast Your law behind their backs" This is a Hebrew idiom for being out of sight, being out of mind (cf. Isa. 38:17). It has the connotation of willful rejection (cf. 1 Kgs. 14:9; Ezek. 23:35 and the same concept is in Ps. 50:17).
▣ "And killed Your prophets" God's people did not want to hear from God through His spokespersons so they silenced the speaker!
▣ "return" See Special Topic: Repentance in the OT.
9:27 The recurrent theme of YHWH's patience, love, and covenant loyalty is contrasted with Israel's rebellion, generation after generation (cf. Neh. 9:28).
9:29 "to turn them back" See Special Topic: Repentance in the OT.
| NASB | "they acted arrogantly" |
| NKJV | "they acted proudly" |
| NRSV, JPSOA | "they acted presumptuously" |
| TEV | "in pride they rejected" |
| NJB | "they became arrogant" |
This VERB (BDB 267, KB 268, Hiphil PERFECT) implies the willful rejection of God's authority expressed through His prophets (cf. Neh. 9:30) and His word. Often one's personal, cultural, or national opinions are substituted for God's truth (e.g., false prophets).
The LXX characterizes Israel's repeated unfaithful actions and attitudes.
▣ "By which if a man observes them he shall live" This is the OT understanding of salvation (cf. Lev. 18:5; Gal. 3:12). However, the repeated failure of each and every generation of the sons of Adam forced YHWH to bring about a "new covenant" (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-38) based on God's performance (in Christ) only dependent on a faithful human reception. The goal is still the same—a righteous people, but the mechanism has changed; an internal law/a new heart/a new spirit!
▣ "And they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck" This terminology refers to Deut. 9:6, 7,13,24,27.
Special Topic: Stubbornness (OT)
9:30 "the peoples of the lands" In Ezra (Ezra 3:3; 9:1,2,11; 10:2,11) and Nehemiah (Neh. 9:30; 10:29,31,32) this means native inhabitants (i.e., those who survived the deportations and those resettled in Palestine and the resulting intermarriages). Earlier in the OT it referred to either (1) the wealthy land owners or (2) the people who had legal rights as citizens.
9:31 God's covenant judgment (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28) was always an attempt to cause Israel to repent and return. However, grace and mercy rejected results in judgment even beyond this life. God chose Israel to choose the world! He retained a faithful remnant to accomplish His Messianic promises and world evangelization!
Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: NEHEMIAH 9:32-38
32"Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and lovingkindness,
Do not let all the hardship seem insignificant before You,
Which has come upon us, our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers and on all Your people,
From the days of the kings of Assyria to this day.
33However, You are just in all that has come upon us;
For You have dealt faithfully, but we have acted wickedly.
34For our kings, our leaders, our priests and our fathers have not kept Your law
Or paid attention to Your commandments and Your admonitions with which You have admonished them.
35But they, in their own kingdom,
With Your great goodness which You gave them,
With the broad and rich land which You set before them,
Did not serve You or turn from their evil deeds.
36Behold, we are slaves today,
And as to the land which You gave to our fathers to eat of its fruit and its bounty,
Behold, we are slaves in it.
37Its abundant produce is for the kings
Whom You have set over us because of our sins;
They also rule over our bodies
And over our cattle as they please, So we are in great distress.
38Now because of all this We are making an agreement in writing; And on the sealed document are the names of our leaders, our Levites and our priests."
9:32-37 These verses deal with the period of the United (Saul, David, and Solomon) and Divided Monarchy (Israel until 922 B.C. and Judah until 586 B.C.).
Special Topic: Kings of the Divided Kingdom
9:32 "our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and lovingkindness" Again the character and faithfulness of YHWH, in contrast to His people, is emphasized (cf. Neh. 9:33). This is the recurrent theme.
The term "great" (BDB 152) is attributed
God's power is great (Num. 14:17); God's name is great (2 Sam. 7:26; 1 Chr. 17:24); God's works are great (Ps. 92:5).
The term "awesome" (BDB 431, KB 432, Niphal PARTICIPLE) is used in several but related senses in connection to God.
Humans tremble or should tremble at the presence or even mention of the God of creation.
The last two in the list are synonymous. God's power is established by His faithfulness to His promises. These last two characteristics often appear together (cf. Neh. 1:5; 9:32; Deut. 7:2,9,12; 1 Kgs. 8:23; 2 Chr. 6:14; Dan. 9:4).
A good article on the relationship between berith (covenant) and hesed (lovingkindness) is Edmund Jacob, Theology of the Old Testament, pp. 103-107.
Special Topic: Lovingkindness (hesed)
▣ "From the days of the kings of Assyria to this day" Assyria took the Northern Ten Tribes captive in 722 B.C. For a list of their kings in sequence see Special Topic: Kings of Assyria
9:33 "You are just in all that has come upon us" The consequences for covenant violation are clearly spelled out in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. God's judgments are both judicially fair and redemptively purposeful.
9:35 "the broad and rich land" The Promised Land could hardly be characterized as "spacious," so it must be used metaphorically for a place of freedom (cf. Exod. 3:8).
Canaan was a very fertile land in Moses' day (cf. Exod. 3:8,17; 13:5; Num. 13:23,27).
9:36 "Behold, we are slaves today" This refers to the continuing domination, albeit benevolent, under Persia.
9:38 "We are making an agreement in writing" Although the word "covenant" is not used here, a similar but rare word is employed. The term "agreement" is really from the Hebrew root "amen" and should be translated "firm agreement" (BDB 53). The VERB "making" is the Hebrew term "to cut" (BDB 503, KB 500, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE). This is often associated with the common phrase "to cut a covenant."
9:38-10:27 "leaders. . .Levites. . .priests" The leaders are mentioned in Neh. 10:1,14-27; the Levites in Neh. 10:9-13; and priests in Neh. 10:2-8 (cf. Neh. 12:1-7). There has been much discussion among scholars whether individuals or families are listed. It is also unusual that Ezra is not mentioned, however, he was a member of the first named priestly family (Seraiah).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. How are Neh. 9:1-2 related to the Day of Atonement?
2. Is confession individual or corporate or both? How does this affect the way we pray/confess today?
3. Who verbalizes the Psalm (Neh. 9:5-32)?
4. How is the group on the platform in Neh. 9:4 related to the group speaking in Neh. 9:5?
5. Outline the different periods of Israel's history alluded to in the Psalm.
6. Why is Neh. 9:17 so important?
7. Explain the OT concept of "Spirit." How do Neh. 9:20 and Neh. 9:30 relate?
8. Explain the significance of Neh. 9:31.
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