Nehemiah 9:15

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְ֠לֶחֶם

H3899

them bread

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

מִשָּׁמַ֜יִם

H8064

from heaven

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

לָתֵ֥ת

H5414

And gavest

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶם֙

לִרְעָבָ֔ם

H7458

for their hunger

hunger (more or less extensive)

וּמַ֗יִם

H4325

water

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

מִסֶּ֛לַע

H5553

for them out of the rock

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

הוֹצֵ֥אתָ

H3318

and broughtest forth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לָהֶ֖ם

#10

לִצְמָאָ֑ם

H6772

for their thirst

thirst (literally or figuratively)

#11

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

and promisedst

to say (used with great latitude)

#12

לָהֶ֗ם

#13

לָבוֹא֙

H935

them that they should go in

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#14

לָרֶ֣שֶׁת

H3423

to possess

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

#15

אֶת

H853

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

#16

הָאָ֔רֶץ

H776

the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#17

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#18

נָשָׂ֥אתָ

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

#19

אֶת

H853

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

#20

יָֽדְךָ֖

H3027

which thou hadst sworn

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#21

לָתֵ֥ת

H5414

And gavest

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#22

לָהֶֽם׃

Analysis

This verse develops the covenant theme central to Nehemiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of covenant within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of covenant within the theological tradition of Nehemiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?