King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 9:10 Mean?

Nehemiah 9:10 in the King James Version says “And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewes...” — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.”

Nehemiah 9:10 · KJV

Context

8

And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:

9

And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;

10

And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.

11

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.

12

Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.

Read Nehemiah 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.

This verse within Nehemiah 9 addresses themes of confession, God's faithfulness, corporate prayer, covenant history. Extended corporate prayer recounts God's faithfulness through Israel's history while honestly confessing persistent covenant violations. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. The spiritual reforms under Ezra and Nehemiah shaped Judaism for centuries, establishing Scripture's centrality and patterns of worship continuing into the intertestamental period and beyond. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does regular engagement with Scripture transform understanding of God and His will for your life?
  2. What specific commitments do you need to make (or renew) regarding Bible reading, worship, and obedience?
  3. How can the principles demonstrated in this passage inform your response to current challenges in your life or church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַ֠תִּתֵּן1 of 19

“And shewedst”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֹתֹ֨ת2 of 19

“signs”

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

וּמֹֽפְתִ֜ים3 of 19

“and wonders”

H4159

a miracle; by implication, a token or omen

בְּפַרְעֹ֤ה4 of 19

“upon Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

וּבְכָל5 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֲבָדָיו֙6 of 19

“and on all his servants”

H5650

a servant

וּבְכָל7 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עַ֣ם8 of 19

“and on all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אַרְצ֔וֹ9 of 19

“of his land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כִּ֣י10 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָדַ֔עְתָּ11 of 19

“for thou knewest”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֥י12 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הֵזִ֖ידוּ13 of 19

“that they dealt proudly”

H2102

to seethe; figuratively, to be insolent

עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם14 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וַתַּֽעַשׂ15 of 19

“against them So didst thou get”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְךָ֥16 of 19
H0
שֵׁ֖ם17 of 19

“thee a name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

כְּהַיּ֥וֹם18 of 19

“as it is this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃19 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nehemiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nehemiah 9:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nehemiah 9:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 32:20Daniel 9:15Exodus 14:1-31Deuteronomy 4:34Exodus 5:2Isaiah 63:14

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