King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 9:15 Mean?

Nehemiah 9:15 in the King James Version says “And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst...” — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them. which: Heb. which thou hadst lift up thine hand to give them”

Nehemiah 9:15 · KJV

Context

13

Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: true: Heb. laws of truth

14

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

15

And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them. which: Heb. which thou hadst lift up thine hand to give them

16

But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,

17

And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not. a God: Heb. a God of pardons

Read Nehemiah 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.

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 · 22 words
וְ֠לֶחֶם1 of 22

“them bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

מִשָּׁמַ֜יִם2 of 22

“from heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

לָתֵ֥ת3 of 22

“And gavest”

H5414

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

לָהֶם֙4 of 22
H0
לִרְעָבָ֔ם5 of 22

“for their hunger”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וּמַ֗יִם6 of 22

“water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

מִסֶּ֛לַע7 of 22

“for them out of the rock”

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

הוֹצֵ֥אתָ8 of 22

“and broughtest forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לָהֶ֖ם9 of 22
H0
לִצְמָאָ֑ם10 of 22

“for their thirst”

H6772

thirst (literally or figuratively)

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר11 of 22

“and promisedst”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֗ם12 of 22
H0
לָבוֹא֙13 of 22

“them that they should go in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָרֶ֣שֶׁת14 of 22

“to possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

אֶת15 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָ֔רֶץ16 of 22

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר17 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָשָׂ֥אתָ18 of 22
H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת19 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יָֽדְךָ֖20 of 22

“which thou hadst sworn”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לָתֵ֥ת21 of 22

“And gavest”

H5414

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

לָהֶֽם׃22 of 22
H0

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 9:15 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 9:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 10:3-4Deuteronomy 1:8Exodus 17:6Exodus 16:4Exodus 16:14-15John 6:31-35

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