King James Version
Nehemiah 9:16 in the King James Version says “But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,” — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,”
Nehemiah 9:16 · KJV
And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
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
But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
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
Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;
KJV Study — Public Domain
“But they and our fathers”
H1father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
“and hardened”
H7185properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“their necks”
H6203the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“and hearkened”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
“not to thy commandments”
H4687a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
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.
Nehemiah 9:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Nehemiah 9:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge