King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 9:17 Mean?

And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in th... — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Nehemiah 9:17 · King James Version


Context

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

18

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;

19

Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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?
KS
Written by KJV Study CommentaryBiblical Commentary

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיְמָֽאֲנ֣וּ
1 of 27

And refused

H3985
to refuse
לִשְׁמֹ֗עַ
2 of 27

to obey

H8085
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְלֹֽא
3 of 27
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
זָכְר֤וּ
4 of 27

neither were mindful

H2142
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
נִפְלְאֹתֶ֙יךָ֙
5 of 27

of thy wonders

H6381
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
6 of 27
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשִׂ֣יתָ
7 of 27

that thou didst

H6213
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עִמָּהֶ֔ם
8 of 27
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙
9 of 27

among them but hardened

H7185
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
אֶת
10 of 27
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָרְפָּ֔ם
11 of 27

their necks

H6203
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
וַיִּתְּנוּ
12 of 27

appointed

H5414
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
רֹ֛אשׁ
13 of 27

a captain

H7218
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
לָשׁ֥וּב
14 of 27

to return

H7725
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לְעַבְדֻתָ֖ם
15 of 27

to their bondage

H5659
servitude
בְּמִרְיָ֑ם
16 of 27

and in their rebellion

H4805
bitterness, i.e., (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious
וְאַתָּה֩
17 of 27
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
אֱל֨וֹהַּ
18 of 27

but thou art a God

H433
a deity or the deity
סְלִיח֜וֹת
19 of 27

ready to pardon

H5547
pardon
חַנּ֧וּן
20 of 27

gracious

H2587
gracious
וְרַח֛וּם
21 of 27

and merciful

H7349
compassionate
אֶֽרֶךְ
22 of 27

slow

H750
long
אַפַּ֥יִם
23 of 27

to anger

H639
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וְרַב
24 of 27

and of great

H7227
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וחֶ֖סֶד
25 of 27

kindness

H2617
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
וְלֹ֥א
26 of 27
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עֲזַבְתָּֽם׃
27 of 27

and forsookest

H5800
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

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 9:17 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 9:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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