Nehemiah 13:26

Authorized King James Version

Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הֲל֣וֹא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
אֵ֣לֶּה
H428
these or those
#4
הֶֽחֱטִ֔יאוּ
H2398
cause to sin
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#5
שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה
H8010
Did not Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#6
מֶ֖לֶךְ
H4428
him king
a king
#7
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#8
וּבַגּוֹיִ֣ם
H1471
nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#9
הָֽרַבִּים֩
H7227
by these things yet among many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#10
לֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#11
הָיָ֨ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#12
מֶ֖לֶךְ
H4428
him king
a king
#13
כָּמֹ֗הוּ
H3644
as, thus, so
#14
וְאָה֤וּב
H157
like him who was beloved
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
#15
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
H430
and God
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
#16
הָיָ֔ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#17
וַיִּתְּנֵ֣הוּ
H5414
made
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#18
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
H430
and God
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
#19
מֶ֖לֶךְ
H4428
him king
a king
#20
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#22
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#23
גַּם
H1571
nevertheless even him
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#24
אוֹת֣וֹ
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#25
הֶֽחֱטִ֔יאוּ
H2398
cause to sin
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#26
הַנָּשִׁ֖ים
H802
women
a woman
#27
הַנָּכְרִיּֽוֹת׃
H5237
did outlandish
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood love. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection