King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 9:26 Mean?

Nehemiah 9:26 in the King James Version says “Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophet...” — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.”

Nehemiah 9:26 · KJV

Context

24

So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would. as they: Heb. according to their will

25

And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness. wells: or, cisterns fruit: Heb. tree of food

26

Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

27

Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.

28

But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies; they did: Heb. they returned to do evil

Read Nehemiah 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

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
וַיַּמְר֨וּ1 of 19

“Nevertheless they were disobedient”

H4784

to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)

וַֽיִּמְרְד֜וּ2 of 19

“and rebelled”

H4775

to rebel

בָּ֗ךְ3 of 19
H0
וַיַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ4 of 19

“against thee and cast”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אֶת5 of 19
H853

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

תּוֹרָֽתְךָ֙6 of 19

“thy law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י7 of 19

“behind”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

גַוָּ֔ם8 of 19

“their backs”

H1458

the back

וְאֶת9 of 19
H853

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

נְבִיאֶ֣יךָ10 of 19

“thy prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הָרָ֔גוּ11 of 19

“and slew”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

אֲשֶׁר12 of 19
H834

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

הֵעִ֥ידוּ13 of 19

“which testified”

H5749

to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

בָ֖ם14 of 19
H0
לַֽהֲשִׁיבָ֣ם15 of 19

“against them to turn”

H7725

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

אֵלֶ֑יךָ16 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֔וּ17 of 19

“them to thee and they wrought”

H6213

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

נֶֽאָצ֖וֹת18 of 19

“provocations”

H5007

scorn

גְּדוֹלֹֽת׃19 of 19

“great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

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 9:26 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 9:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 14:9Judges 2:11-12Nehemiah 9:181 Kings 18:41 Kings 19:10Acts 7:52

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