King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 9:32 Mean?

Nehemiah 9:32 in the King James Version says “Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the tro... — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. trouble: Heb. weariness that: Heb. that hath found us

Nehemiah 9:32 · KJV


Context

30

Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands. forbear: Heb. protract over them in thy: Heb. in the hand of thy prophets

31

Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.

32

Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. trouble: Heb. weariness that: Heb. that hath found us

33

Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:

34

Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto 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 · 30 words
וְעַתָּ֣ה1 of 30
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אֱ֠לֹהֵינוּ2 of 30

Now therefore our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

הָאֵ֨ל3 of 30

God

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

הַגָּד֜וֹל4 of 30

the great

H1419

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

הַגִּבּ֣וֹר5 of 30

the mighty

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

וְהַנּוֹרָא֮6 of 30

and the terrible

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

שׁוֹמֵ֣ר7 of 30

who keepest

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

הַבְּרִ֣ית8 of 30

covenant

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

וְהַחֶסֶד֒9 of 30

and mercy

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

אַל10 of 30
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יִמְעַ֣ט11 of 30

seem little

H4591

properly, to pare off, i.e., lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective)

לְפָנֶ֡יךָ12 of 30

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֵ֣ת13 of 30
H853

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

כָּל14 of 30
H3605

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

הַתְּלָאָ֣ה15 of 30

let not all the trouble

H8513

distress

אֲֽשֶׁר16 of 30
H834

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

מְ֠צָאַתְנוּ17 of 30

thee that hath come

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

מַלְכֵ֣י18 of 30

of the kings

H4428

a king

לְשָׂרֵ֧ינוּ19 of 30

on our princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וּלְכֹֽהֲנֵ֛ינוּ20 of 30

and on our priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְלִנְבִיאֵ֥נוּ21 of 30

and on our prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

וְלַֽאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ22 of 30

and on our fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וּלְכָל23 of 30
H3605

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

עַמֶּ֑ךָ24 of 30

and on all thy people

H5971

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

הַיּ֥וֹם25 of 30

since the time

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

מַלְכֵ֣י26 of 30

of the kings

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֔וּר27 of 30

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

עַ֖ד28 of 30
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֥וֹם29 of 30

since the time

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׃30 of 30
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 9:32 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 9:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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