Nehemiah 9 21

Nehemiah 9:21 kjv

Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

Nehemiah 9:21 nkjv

Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; They lacked nothing; Their clothes did not wear out And their feet did not swell.

Nehemiah 9:21 niv

For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.

Nehemiah 9:21 esv

Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.

Nehemiah 9:21 nlt

For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!

Nehemiah 9 verses

Nehemiah 9 21 Meaning

Nehemiah 9:21 proclaims God's unfailing, supernatural provision and protection over the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness. Despite the harsh environment and the immense passage of time, God sustained them so completely that they lacked nothing, their clothing did not wear out, and their feet did not swell. This verse underscores God's meticulous care, preserving their material needs and physical well-being through direct miraculous intervention, a testament to His enduring faithfulness despite their unworthiness.

Nehemiah 9 21 Context

Nehemiah 9:21 is part of a grand historical prayer offered by the Levites after the return from exile, recorded in Nehemiah 9:5-38. Following the dedication of Jerusalem's rebuilt wall, the people had gathered for a solemn assembly to fast, confess their sins, and worship. The Levites recounted God's faithfulness from creation through Abraham, the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and their subsequent history, juxtaposing it with Israel's repeated rebellion and idolatry.

This specific verse falls within the section (Neh 9:15-22) that recounts God's miraculous provision during the forty years in the wilderness. Immediately prior, the prayer highlighted Israel's stubbornness and refusal to obey after the giving of the Law at Sinai (Neh 9:16-17), making God's sustained provision even more astounding as an act of undeserved grace. The historical context for the original audience, who had recently returned from a foreign exile, resonated deeply with themes of divine sustenance through hardship and their ancestors' repeated failures, encouraging a fresh commitment to God's covenant based on His unchanging mercy. It emphasizes God's consistent character as Provider and Protector, regardless of human faithfulness.

Nehemiah 9 21 Word analysis

• forty years (אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה - arba'im shanah): This duration signifies a complete generation, the specific period of Israel's testing and discipline in the wilderness as a consequence of their disobedience at Kadesh Barnea (Num 14:33-34). It underscores the prolonged nature of God's consistent provision.

• didst Thou sustain them (כִּלְכַּלְתָּם - kilkaltam): From the root כוּל (kul), meaning "to contain, hold, nourish, sustain, support." This is an active divine verb, emphasizing God as the comprehensive provider, going beyond merely supplying necessities to preserving their entire existence in the wilderness. It speaks of divine maintenance.

• in the wilderness (בַּמִּדְבָּר - bamidbar): A desolate, barren, and dangerous environment, hostile to human survival. Its mention highlights the sheer miracle of survival, entirely dependent on God's supernatural power and not on natural resources or human ingenuity. It signifies a place of divine dependency and discipline.

• they lacked nothing (לֹא חָסֵרוּ - lo haseiru): The verb חָסֵר (haser) means "to lack, be wanting, diminish." The negation ("lō'") emphatically states the completeness of God's provision. Every necessary item for survival and journey was provided; there was no deficiency. This is a total and exhaustive sustenance.

• their clothing (שַׂלְמֹתֵיהֶם - salmoteihem): Refers to their garments or outer cloaks. In a hot climate with harsh sun and prolonged wear, clothing would deteriorate quickly. The focus here is on the preservation of a basic necessity.

• did not wear out (לֹא בָלָתָה - lo valatah): From the verb בָלָה (balah), meaning "to wear out, decay, grow old." This is a supernatural suspension of natural laws of deterioration over four decades. It emphasizes a miracle not of creation, but of indefinite preservation.

• and their feet (וְרַגְלֵיהֶם - veragleihem): Their lower extremities, crucial for movement, especially during prolonged journeys through rugged terrain.

• did not swell (לֹא בָצֵקוּ - lo vatseku): From בָצֵק (batseq), which can relate to swelling or stiffness (as with dough). In this context, it implies their feet were supernaturally protected from the physical fatigue, blistering, injuries, or swelling that would naturally result from walking for 40 years across a desert. This points to meticulous care for their health and comfort.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "didst Thou sustain them... they lacked nothing": This pair encapsulates God's active, intentional, and sufficient provision. It was God's direct act, resulting in complete provision, signifying an overflowing and abundant care, not just minimum subsistence.
  • "their clothing did not wear out, and their feet did not swell": This specific dual reference to clothing and feet vividly illustrates the miraculous scope and practical nature of God's preservation. It wasn't just abstract survival but concrete, day-to-day comfort and physical well-being. It testifies to divine power extending to the very mundane aspects of life.

Nehemiah 9 21 Bonus section

• This passage is often cited as a prime biblical example of ongoing, tangible miracles occurring daily over an extended period, showcasing God's active involvement in the minute details of His people's lives. It goes beyond the singular, spectacular miracles of the Exodus to encompass continuous, generational care.
• The phrase "did not swell" ("לֹא בָצֵקוּ") carries the nuance of not becoming bloated, puffed up, or stiff. This not only prevented painful swelling from extensive walking but could also imply a maintenance of general physical health, suggesting they remained agile and strong despite their journey.
• The wilderness journey often serves as a metaphor for the Christian walk, filled with tests, trials, and dependence on God. This verse provides assurance that God's sustained provision and protection remain with believers today, not necessarily through miraculous preservation of clothes, but through His comprehensive care for their needs (spiritually and physically).

Nehemiah 9 21 Commentary

Nehemiah 9:21 stands as a powerful declaration of God's miraculous fidelity and comprehensive care for His people. It vividly portrays divine power overriding natural laws to sustain Israel for forty years in an inhospitable wilderness. This verse highlights that God's provision was not merely survival-level but extended to their comfort and physical well-being. It wasn't through clever resource management but through supernatural intervention that their clothes didn't perish and their bodies endured.

This complete provision was a display of God's unwavering covenant loyalty, especially poignant given Israel's concurrent rebellion. The Levites’ prayer in Nehemiah underscores that even in Israel's unfaithfulness, God remained faithful (2 Tim 2:13). For believers, this verse offers immense comfort, signifying God's ability and willingness to sustain His people through life's "wilderness" experiences, providing for all their needs (Phil 4:19) and preserving them holistically.