Nehemiah 9 33

Nehemiah 9:33 kjv

Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:

Nehemiah 9:33 nkjv

However You are just in all that has befallen us; For You have dealt faithfully, But we have done wickedly.

Nehemiah 9:33 niv

In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.

Nehemiah 9:33 esv

Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.

Nehemiah 9:33 nlt

Every time you punished us you were being just. We have sinned greatly, and you gave us only what we deserved.

Nehemiah 9 verses

Nehemiah 9 33 Meaning

Nehemiah 9:33 is a profound confession and theological statement affirming God's perfect justice and righteousness in all the afflictions and historical trials experienced by the Israelites. It explicitly declares that God has acted rightly in bringing judgment upon them, while unequivocally attributing their suffering solely to their own wickedness and disobedience. It is an unreserved acknowledgement of their culpability and God's unimpeachable character.

Nehemiah 9 33 Context

Nehemiah 9 is a detailed and extensive prayer of confession and remembrance offered by the Levites to God, recited publicly by Ezra after the Law had been read and the people had gathered. This chapter provides a comprehensive historical review of God's dealings with Israel from the time of Abraham, through the Exodus, wilderness wanderings, conquest of Canaan, and the era of the judges and kings, culminating in their exile and present state of subjugation under the Persian Empire. The prayer consistently highlights God's unwavering faithfulness, goodness, and patience, contrasted sharply with Israel's persistent rebellion, idolatry, and unfaithfulness. Verse 33 serves as a pivotal summary and powerful theological conclusion to this historical review, affirming God's righteous character despite their suffering and emphatically acknowledging Israel's own responsibility for their predicament. This sets the stage for the renewed covenant vows and commitments made in Nehemiah 10.

Nehemiah 9 33 Word analysis

• Howbeit (Hebrew: אָכֵן, 'akhen): This adverb emphasizes confirmation or affirmation, often translating as "surely," "truly," "indeed," or "nevertheless." Here, it marks a solemn transition to a conclusive statement, strongly affirming the truth of what follows despite the hardships endured. It conveys an understanding arrived at after deep reflection, an unshakeable conviction.
• thou art just (Hebrew: צַדִּיק אַתָּה, tzaddiq attah):
  • צַדִּיק (tzaddiq): "Righteous," "just," "innocent," "equitable." This is a foundational attribute of God, referring to His absolute moral perfection, His adherence to truth and fairness in all His dealings. It is His unchanging nature.
  • אַתָּה (attah): "You" (masculine singular). Directly addresses God, making the statement a personal declaration of His character.
  • This phrase emphasizes God's inherent, unchanging character of righteousness and equity, specifically in His judgments. It means God is fully vindicated and morally pure in His actions.
• in all that is brought upon us (Hebrew: בְּכָל הַבָּא עָלֵינוּ, b'khol haba' 'aleinu):
  • בְּכָל (b'khol): "In all," "concerning all." Implies totality and comprehensiveness.
  • הַבָּא (haba'): "That which has come," "that which is brought." Refers to the collective experiences of suffering, judgment, oppression, and national decline, culminating in their current servitude and a sense of divine displeasure. The passive voice ("is brought") acknowledges divine agency without explicitly stating "you brought," allowing for God's allowance or orchestration of circumstances.
  • עָלֵינוּ ('aleinu): "Upon us." Identifies the nation of Israel as the recipients of these consequences.
• for thou hast done right (Hebrew: כִּי אֱמֶת עָשִׂיתָ, ki 'emet 'asita):
  • כִּי (ki): "For," "because," providing the reason or explanation for God's justice.
  • אֱמֶת ('emet): "Truth," "faithfulness," "reliability," "what is right." This word goes beyond mere action; it describes God's actions as being consistent with His truthful and reliable character. His actions are not arbitrary but stem from His intrinsic nature.
  • עָשִׂיתָ ('asita): "You have done." Direct, active verb attributing these righteous actions to God.
  • This phrase unequivocally states that God's actions, even those that brought severe hardship, were consistent with His just and faithful character.
• but we have done wickedly (Hebrew: וַאֲנַחְנוּ הִרְשַׁעְנוּ, va'anachnu hirsha'nu):
  • וַאֲנַחְנוּ (va'anachnu): "And we," "but we." The conjunction wa creates a sharp contrast, placing Israel's actions directly against God's righteousness.
  • הִרְשַׁעְנוּ (hirsha'nu): "We have acted wickedly," "we have sinned greatly," "we have done evil." This is a strong and self-incriminating verb from the root rasha', meaning "to be wicked" or "to condemn." It indicates a deliberate and persistent pattern of sin.
  • This part of the verse presents Israel's full and unreserved acceptance of responsibility, placing the blame squarely on themselves.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us;": This phrase highlights God's unwavering moral integrity and rightful authority in every tribulation Israel faced. It signifies an acceptance that divine justice underlies all their suffering, whether historical exiles, foreign domination, or ongoing hardships. This theological truth serves as the foundational premise for the entire confession, vindicating God entirely.
• "for thou hast done right,": This provides the immediate logical basis for God's justice. His actions are always aligned with His truth, integrity, and just character. It dismisses any notion that God acted capriciously or without cause. This underscores God's moral perfection and His adherence to divine law in all His dealings.
• "but we have done wickedly.": This is the crucial, self-condemnatory admission that complements the affirmation of God's justice. It unequivocally places the blame for their national calamities and suffering upon Israel's own persistent sin and rebellion. This acknowledges a fundamental breakdown in the covenant relationship, where Israel failed in its part, justifying God's disciplinary response. The contrast "thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly" succinctly encapsulates the theological dilemma and its resolution.

Nehemiah 9 33 Bonus section

The strong contrast drawn in Nehemiah 9:33 between God's "doing right" and Israel's "doing wickedly" is a profound example of Old Testament theological insight, echoing the constant refrain throughout the prophetic books and historical narratives. This corporate confession reflects an understanding of sin's generational impact, where the consequences of past unfaithfulness ("what is brought upon us") are still felt by the current generation. Despite bearing these burdens, the community doesn't blame their ancestors as an excuse; rather, they identify with that history of wickedness, fully owning their shared spiritual lineage. The affirmation of God's justice ("thou art just") even in the midst of ongoing affliction is a profound act of worship and submission, prioritizing the truth of God's character above human feelings or perceived injustice. This level of self-reflection is rare and speaks to the spiritual awakening under Ezra and Nehemiah, leading to the collective covenant commitment in the following chapter.

Nehemiah 9 33 Commentary

Nehemiah 9:33 is the culmination of a powerful prayer of repentance and historical review, central to Israel's re-establishment in their land. It crystallizes the core theological understanding that underpins true confession: that God is perfectly just and righteous even in His severest judgments, and human suffering, particularly for covenant people, is a direct consequence of their own wickedness, not a flaw in God's character. This verse expresses a humble, absolute acceptance of guilt and full vindication of God. It dismisses any sense of victimhood or grievance against God, fostering genuine brokenness and a proper posture for renewal. It reflects a deep theological insight learned through generations of judgment: God's faithfulness is constant, and He is holy, always doing what is right, even when His people are persistently faithless and act wickedly. This recognition is essential for paving the way for sincere covenant renewal and drawing near to God again.