Nehemiah 9 29

Nehemiah 9:29 kjv

And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

Nehemiah 9:29 nkjv

And testified against them, That You might bring them back to Your law. Yet they acted proudly, And did not heed Your commandments, But sinned against Your judgments, 'Which if a man does, he shall live by them.' And they shrugged their shoulders, Stiffened their necks, And would not hear.

Nehemiah 9:29 niv

"You warned them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, of which you said, 'The person who obeys them will live by them.' Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen.

Nehemiah 9:29 esv

And you warned them in order to turn them back to your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your rules, which if a person does them, he shall live by them, and they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey.

Nehemiah 9:29 nlt

"You warned them to return to your Law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands. They did not follow your regulations, by which people will find life if only they obey. They stubbornly turned their backs on you and refused to listen.

Nehemiah 9 verses

Nehemiah 9 29 Meaning

Nehemiah 9:29 vividly recounts God's continuous and merciful efforts to call the Israelites back to His divine law and ordinances. Despite His warnings, the people responded with pride, choosing willful disobedience over humble submission. They consistently rejected God's life-giving statutes, expressed through stubbornness and an obstinate refusal to obey His voice. This verse underscores Israel's deep-seated rebellion against the covenant relationship God offered.

Nehemiah 9 29 Context

Nehemiah 9 is a magnificent prayer of corporate confession and praise, uttered by the Levites during a solemn assembly of the returning exiles in Jerusalem. Following the reading and explanation of the Law in chapter 8, the people had entered into a time of repentance. This prayer dramatically reviews the history of God's covenant faithfulness to Israel from creation to their return from exile, sharply contrasting it with Israel's persistent pattern of rebellion, ingratitude, and disobedience. Verse 29 specifically focuses on the period when Israel had inherited the Promised Land, detailing their recurring refusal to obey God's commands despite receiving life-giving instruction. It sets the stage for the profound acknowledgment of their just punishment in exile, while simultaneously exalting God's boundless patience and mercy.

Nehemiah 9 29 Word analysis

• "You warned them" (Hebrew: va'ta'ad bihem from ʿuwd): This word signifies a solemn, persistent, and authoritative testimony or witness. God consistently provided warning, not just once but repeatedly through His prophets and instructions. This highlights God's diligent effort to prevent His people's ruin.
• "to return to your law" (Hebrew: la'shuv l'Toratekha): "Law" (Torah) here refers not merely to legalistic rules but to God's complete divine instruction, guiding principles, and covenant teachings. "Return" implies a deviation from the proper path, an ongoing call to spiritual and ethical alignment with God's will.
• "but they acted proudly" (Hebrew: va'ya'zidu from ziyd): This denotes presumptuousness, deliberate arrogance, and a willful defiance. It's not mere ignorance but a high-handed, arrogant rebellion against divine authority, stemming from an inflated sense of self and contempt for God's rule.
• "and did not obey your commandments" (Hebrew: lo' shamu l'mitzvoteikha): "Obey" (shama') means to hear and to heed, to listen actively and respond. The repeated "did not obey" underscores their failure to receive and respond to God's explicit divine decrees and authoritative instructions.
• "but sinned against your rules" (Hebrew: va'yecheta'u b'mishpateikha): "Sinned" (ḥāṭāʾ) means to miss the mark, to deviate from the intended path. "Rules" (mishpatim) refers to God's righteous judgments, ordinances, and just decrees. They not only failed to follow but actively violated these divine standards of justice and equity.
• "which if a person does, he shall live by them" (Hebrew: asher ya'aseh otam ha'adam va'chai bahem): This foundational phrase from Lev 18:5 declares the life-giving nature of God's commands. It signifies that living in accordance with God's perfect law is the pathway to true flourishing, well-being, and vital spiritual existence.
• "and they turned a stubborn shoulder" (Hebrew: va'yitnu katek shoreret): A vivid idiom portraying willful refusal to submit. Like an ox pulling back from the yoke, unwilling to bear the burden of service or obedience. It symbolizes rejection of discipline and hard work for God's purposes.
• "and stiffened their neck" (Hebrew: va'yeqashu orpam): Another strong idiom for obstinate resistance, frequently used to describe Israel's refusal to humble themselves before God. Like a stubborn animal resisting being led, it implies an unyielding will and a defiant stance against divine authority.
• "and would not obey" (Hebrew: velo shamu): This reiteration powerfully emphasizes the persistent, consistent, and willful nature of their disobedience. It paints a picture of entrenched rebellion, not momentary lapses.
• "You warned them... but they acted proudly... and did not obey": This contrast highlights God's initiative in grace versus human stubborn pride. God constantly sought their good through warning, yet they met it with arrogance and defiance.
• "your law... your commandments... your rules... which if a person does, he shall live by them": This grouping emphasizes the consistent divine origin and beneficial nature of God's statutes. God's demands were for their life and well-being, not solely for His own benefit.
• "turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey": This triple description powerfully articulates their entrenched rebellion. It's a progression from passive resistance to outright, unyielding defiance, confirming a settled determination not to submit to God.

Nehemiah 9 29 Bonus section

The specific formulation of "which if a person does, he shall live by them" (from Lev 18:5) sets up a critical theological tension echoed throughout the scriptures, particularly in the New Testament. While God's law truly offered a path to life and blessing if perfectly obeyed, no one (except Christ) could fulfill it perfectly due to human sinfulness. This inability to "live by them" highlights humanity's need for a different kind of life – one based not on human doing, but on God's grace through faith, foreshadowing the work of Christ. The consistent disobedience detailed in this verse therefore underlines the necessity of a covenant not dependent on human performance but on divine promise.

Nehemiah 9 29 Commentary

Nehemiah 9:29 encapsulates the tragic and recurring cycle of human rebellion against divine grace that characterizes much of Israel's history. God, in His unending patience, provided clear warnings and life-giving instruction, seeking their return to the covenant relationship. Yet, the people responded with inherent pride and deliberate disobedience, repeatedly rejecting the very path that offered them flourishing and life. The vivid imagery of the "stubborn shoulder" and "stiffened neck" paints a poignant picture of their unyielding refusal to bear the yoke of God's authority or yield to His guidance. This verse serves as a sober reminder of humanity's propensity for rebellion against a good and merciful God, underscoring the deep-seated nature of sin and the profound need for divine grace that surpasses such obstinacy. It's a lament over a nation's missed opportunity for abundant life, repeatedly offered yet repeatedly refused.