Nehemiah 9 11

Nehemiah 9:11 kjv

And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.

Nehemiah 9:11 nkjv

And You divided the sea before them, So that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; And their persecutors You threw into the deep, As a stone into the mighty waters.

Nehemiah 9:11 niv

You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters.

Nehemiah 9:11 esv

And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters.

Nehemiah 9:11 nlt

You divided the sea for your people so they could walk through on dry land! And then you hurled their enemies into the depths of the sea. They sank like stones beneath the mighty waters.

Nehemiah 9 verses

Nehemiah 9 11 Meaning

Nehemiah 9:11 recounts the Lord's omnipotent intervention at the Red Sea, where He miraculously parted the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. Simultaneously, this act demonstrated divine judgment as God overwhelmed and utterly destroyed their Egyptian pursuers within those very waters, consigning them to the depths as if a heavy stone had been cast into an irresistible current. It serves as a profound testimony to God's unparalleled power in both salvation and judgment.

Nehemiah 9 11 Context

Nehemiah 9 is a powerful prayer of corporate confession and remembrance offered by the Levites after the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, marking a significant covenant renewal in post-exilic Israel. It is delivered during a national assembly where the people gather for repentance and study of the Law (Neh 8). The prayer reviews God's faithfulness from the calling of Abraham through the Exodus, wilderness wanderings, conquest of Canaan, and judgeship, ultimately lamenting Israel's persistent rebellion despite God's continuous loving-kindness. Verse 11, specifically, recalls one of the most foundational and pivotal acts of divine intervention—the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of the pursuing Egyptian army—as a testament to God's unfailing power and commitment to His covenant people. This historical remembrance serves to remind the congregation of God's mighty acts, encouraging them to trust in Him even in their current struggles and to rely on His past deeds as a basis for future deliverance and mercy.

Nehemiah 9 11 Word analysis

• You divided: (Hebrew: וַתִּבְקַע, vat-tivqa, from the verb baqa meaning "to cleave," "split open," or "tear apart"). This emphasizes the direct, decisive, and active role of God. It's not a natural event but a supernatural, powerful act by the Divine Agent. It highlights God's sovereignty over creation.
• the sea: (Hebrew: יָּם, yam, referring specifically to יַם סוּף - Yam Suph, the Red Sea). This body of water represented an insurmountable barrier. Its division signifies God's overcoming of all obstacles.
• before them: God's miraculous intervention was overtly demonstrated for His people, confirming His presence and power. It was a public display of salvation.
• so that they went through: God actively provided a path and enablement for His people to escape. It speaks of divine provision and guidance.
• the midst of the sea: (Hebrew: בְּתוֹךְ, b'tokh, "in the middle," "central part"). The path was not merely along the edge but directly through the heart of the imposing sea, emphasizing the profoundness of the miracle.
• on dry ground: (Hebrew: בַּיַּבָּשָׁה, ba'yabbashah, "on the dry land"). This crucial detail accentuates the miraculous nature. The path was not muddy or shallow but fully dry, allowing for unimpeded passage and signifying total divine control. This also echoes God's creation act of separating land from water (Gen 1:9).
• You hurled: (Hebrew: וְאֶת־רֹדְפֵיהֶם הִשְׁלַכְתָּ, v'et-rodefeihem hishlachta, from הִשְׁלִיךְ - hishlikh meaning "to throw," "cast away," "hurl"). This word denotes violent, decisive, and forceful action by God against their enemies. It indicates complete and irresistible judgment.
• their pursuers: The Egyptians, Pharaoh's army, who represented bondage and oppression for Israel. God's judgment specifically targeted those who oppressed His people.
• into the depths: (Hebrew: בִּמְצוֹלוֹת, bim'tzolot, "into the deeps," "into the lowest parts"). This signifies utter destruction and total annihilation, where recovery is impossible.
• as a stone: (Hebrew: כְּאֶבֶן, k'even, "like a stone"). This simile conveys suddenness, heaviness, and rapid descent. A stone sinks swiftly and irrevocably.
• into mighty waters: (Hebrew: בְּמַיִם עַזִּים, b'mayim azzim, "into strong/powerful waters"). These are waters whose force or depth ensures complete submergence and irretrievability. The enemies were engulfed by the very waters that previously allowed Israel to pass safely.

Words-group analysis:

• "You divided the sea... on dry ground": This phrase highlights God's absolute dominion over nature for the purpose of salvation. It showcases divine power to create a way where there was none, reversing the natural order to bring about deliverance for His chosen people.
• "You hurled their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters": This powerful imagery depicts God's swift, comprehensive, and undeniable judgment against oppressors. It emphasizes the contrast between God's saving power for His people and His destructive power against their enemies, underscoring the finality and thoroughness of His retribution. The simile of a stone indicates the instantaneous and irreversible demise of the Egyptians.

Nehemiah 9 11 Bonus section

The Red Sea crossing is frequently presented as a 'new creation' event in Old Testament theology, echoing the separation of waters in Genesis 1. God is the one who controls chaos and establishes order, providing life and judging unrighteousness through water. This miracle also holds significant typological importance, foreshadowing spiritual realities such as baptism (1 Cor 10:2) and the ultimate deliverance from sin and death through Christ. The narrative's inclusion in Nehemiah's prayer serves a specific rhetorical purpose: to remind a dispirited post-exilic community that the same powerful God who delivered their ancestors from a mighty superpower will also sustain and deliver them. It provides a basis for their repentance and fervent appeal for God's ongoing favor and protection against their contemporary adversaries. It also strongly opposes the contemporary pagan beliefs in multiple, weaker deities, asserting Yahweh's sole and ultimate power over creation and destiny.

Nehemiah 9 11 Commentary

Nehemiah 9:11 is a foundational declaration of God's character: His omnipotent power to save His people and His righteous judgment against their enemies. The Red Sea event is not just a historical incident but a paradigmatic act that establishes God's covenant faithfulness and serves as a blueprint for His future interventions. God alone divided the sea, creating a dry path through an impossible barrier, asserting His sovereignty over all creation. Simultaneously, He executed complete and definitive judgment upon Pharaoh's army, symbolizing that no opposing force can withstand His will or harm His elect without consequence. This account underscores that the same mighty power that saves His people also judges those who oppose Him. This foundational event resonated throughout Israelite history, informing their understanding of Yahweh as their deliverer and avenger, and serving as a wellspring of hope for divine intervention in times of distress. It continues to remind believers today that God's power is limitless in achieving His redemptive and judgmental purposes.