Nehemiah 9 14

Nehemiah 9:14 kjv

And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:

Nehemiah 9:14 nkjv

You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, By the hand of Moses Your servant.

Nehemiah 9:14 niv

You made known to them your holy Sabbath and gave them commands, decrees and laws through your servant Moses.

Nehemiah 9:14 esv

and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant.

Nehemiah 9:14 nlt

You instructed them concerning your holy Sabbath. And you commanded them, through Moses your servant, to obey all your commands, decrees, and instructions.

Nehemiah 9 verses

Nehemiah 9 14 Meaning

Nehemiah 9:14 recounts how the Almighty revealed to the Israelites His holy Sabbath and further delivered comprehensive divine directives—namely, commandments, statutes, and His overarching law (Torah)—all mediated through His chosen servant, Moses, during their wilderness journey. This verse highlights God’s gracious initiative in revealing His will and establishing a distinct covenant identity for His people.

Nehemiah 9 14 Context

Nehemiah 9 is a profound prayer offered by the Levites during Ezra's reforms following the return from Babylonian exile. This extensive prayer serves as a communal confession of sin and a recounting of God's covenant faithfulness throughout Israel's history, from creation to their present restoration. Verse 14 falls within the section narrating God's provision for Israel after their Exodus from Egypt. It specifically highlights how, after bringing them out of slavery and into the wilderness, God continued His benevolent care by revealing His divine law at Mount Sinai. This provision of law, including the foundational Sabbath command, was a distinct mark of God's grace and intent to shape them into a holy nation, standing in stark contrast to the continuous rebellion and unfaithfulness that the prayer later recounts concerning Israel’s past.

Nehemiah 9 14 Word analysis

• And made known (וַתּוֹדִ֤יעֵם, wattōdî‘ēm):
  • From the Hebrew root yada' (ידע), meaning "to know," in the Hifil (causative) stem, meaning "to cause to know," "to teach," or "to reveal."
  • Significance: This emphasizes God's proactive initiative and gracious condescension in revealing His will. It was not something Israel discovered but was divinely imparted, underscoring the authority and clarity of the revelation.
• to them:
  • Refers to the people of Israel, specifically the generation that exited Egypt and gathered at Mount Sinai.
  • Significance: God directly communicated to His chosen covenant people.
• your holy Sabbath (שַׁבַּ֣ת קָדְשֶׁ֑ךָ, šabbat qāḏšeḵā):
  • Sabbath (shabbat, שַׁבַּת): From the verb shavat (שבת), "to cease," or "to rest." It denotes cessation from labor.
  • Holy (qodesheka, קָדְשֶׁ֑ךָ): From the root qadash (קדש), "to be set apart," "consecrated," "sacred." The suffix '-eka' means "Your."
  • Significance: The Sabbath is explicitly called "Your holy Sabbath," highlighting God's ownership and sanctification of this specific day. It's not merely a day of rest but a divinely ordained, sacred observance set apart by God for His people as a sign of their covenant relationship and as a perpetual reminder of His work of creation and redemption. Its prominence here before other laws indicates its fundamental importance.
• and commanded them (understood action implied by the following nouns, though literally the phrase contains the conjunction 'and' with the subsequent list of laws):
  • This signifies God's sovereign authority and His direct, authoritative issuance of these divine principles.
• commandments (מִצְוֹת, miṣwōṯ):
  • From the verb tzavah (צוה), "to command," "to ordain."
  • Significance: Refers generally to the specific injunctions, precepts, or instructions given by God. Often pertains to moral and ethical directives, like those found in the Decalogue.
• and statutes (וְחֻקִּים, wəḥuqqîm):
  • From the root chaqaq (חקק), "to engrave," "to enact," "to decree."
  • Significance: These are fixed, established ordinances or decrees, often implying their enduring, immutable nature. They can be laws of a ritual, civil, or ethical nature, distinguishing Israel from other nations.
• and a law (וְתּוֹרָ֖ה, wətorah):
  • From the verb yarah (ירה), "to teach," "to instruct," "to guide."
  • Significance: "Torah" is a comprehensive term, not simply meaning "law" in the legal sense, but more broadly "instruction," "teaching," or "guidance." It encompasses the entire body of divine revelation given through Moses, including narratives, ethical principles, ritual commands, and civil laws. This term suggests God's desire to instruct His people in His ways for their well-being.
• through Moses your servant (בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדֶּֽךָ, bəyaḏ-mōše adəḵā):
  • Through (bəyaḏ): Literally "by the hand of," indicating agency or instrumentality.
  • Moses (Mōshe): God's chosen prophet and mediator.
  • Your servant (abdəkā): Highlights Moses's unique position as one dedicated to and chosen by God to execute His will.
  • Significance: This phrase clarifies that while the revelation originated entirely from God, Moses was His divinely appointed, faithful human channel through whom the comprehensive divine will was delivered to Israel. This affirms the authority of the law as originating with God, not Moses.

Words-group analysis

• "Made known... your holy Sabbath": This phrase foregrounds the Sabbath's central importance in God's initial revelation to Israel after their redemption. God didn't merely allow for a day off; He revealed and sanctified this specific day as His own, setting it apart as a cornerstone of the covenant, symbolizing divine rest and His consecration of His people.
• "Commanded them commandments, and statutes, and a law": The enumeration of "commandments," "statutes," and "Torah" showcases the multifaceted and exhaustive nature of God's revelation. This triad emphasizes that God provided comprehensive instruction covering all aspects of Israelite life—moral, ethical, civil, and ritual—as a complete guide for holiness and flourishing in their relationship with Him.
• "Through Moses your servant": This confirms the divine authorship and authority of the law while recognizing the indispensable human instrument. It assures the audience that the Law was not a human construct but a direct impartation from God, authenticated by Moses's unparalleled fidelity and unique prophetic standing as "God's servant."

Nehemiah 9 14 Bonus section

• The Nehemiah prayer frequently emphasizes the stark contrast between God's consistent goodness and provision (as seen in revealing the law) and Israel's consistent rebellion and unfaithfulness. Verse 14 is a prime example of God's perfect action, which Israel later rejected.
• The threefold expression ("commandments, statutes, and a law") is common in the Pentateuch, highlighting the various categories and comprehensiveness of the divine instructions. It implies not just isolated rules, but a coherent and integrated body of divine instruction for a sanctified community.
• The repeated phrase "your servant Moses" throughout the Old Testament underscores his unparalleled authority and prophetic calling as God's instrument for His foundational revelation, especially compared to subsequent prophets.

Nehemiah 9 14 Commentary

Nehemiah 9:14 offers a poignant reminder of God's unparalleled grace and sovereign initiation in establishing His covenant with Israel. After liberating them from Egypt, He did not abandon them to wander aimlessly but proactively "made known" His specific and detailed will. The prominence given to "your holy Sabbath" highlights its status as a foundational sign of their distinct identity and covenant relationship with God, a reminder of both creation and redemption. Beyond the Sabbath, God bestowed a comprehensive legal framework encompassing moral "commandments," established "statutes," and overarching "Torah" (instruction), providing every necessary guideline for a life aligned with His holiness. All this was graciously mediated "through Moses your servant," underscoring the divine origin of the law and Moses's unique, faithful role. This verse sets the stage for the remainder of the Nehemiah 9 prayer, where Israel's subsequent rebellion against this clearly revealed, gracious instruction becomes the central theme, showcasing God's persistent patience amidst their unfaithfulness. The passage serves to underscore the profound privilege and profound responsibility that accompanies receiving divine revelation.