Nehemiah 9:11

Authorized King James Version

And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הַיָּ֖ם
of the sea
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#2
בָּקַ֣עְתָּ
And thou didst divide
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
#3
לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#4
וַיַּֽעַבְר֥וּ
them so that they went through
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#5
בְתוֹךְ
the midst
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
#6
הַיָּ֖ם
of the sea
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#7
בַּיַּבָּשָׁ֑ה
on the dry land
dry ground
#8
וְֽאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
רֹ֨דְפֵיהֶ֜ם
and their persecutors
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
#10
הִשְׁלַ֧כְתָּ
thou threwest
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
#11
בִמְצוֹלֹ֛ת
into the deeps
a deep place (of water or mud)
#12
כְּמוֹ
as, thus, so
#13
אֶ֖בֶן
H68
as a stone
a stone
#14
בְּמַ֥יִם
waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#15
עַזִּֽים׃
into the mighty
strong, vehement, harsh

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 divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine 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 divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection