Nehemiah 9:17

Authorized King James Version

And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְמָֽאֲנ֣וּ

H3985

And refused

to refuse

לִשְׁמֹ֗עַ

H8085

to obey

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

וְלֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

זָכְר֤וּ

H2142

neither were mindful

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

נִפְלְאֹתֶ֙יךָ֙

H6381

of thy wonders

properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

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

עָשִׂ֣יתָ

H6213

that thou didst

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

עִמָּהֶ֔ם

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙

H7185

among them but hardened

properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)

#10

אֶת

H853

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

#11

עָרְפָּ֔ם

H6203

their necks

the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)

#12

וַיִּתְּנוּ

H5414

appointed

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

#13

רֹ֛אשׁ

H7218

a captain

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#14

לָשׁ֥וּב

H7725

to return

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

#15

לְעַבְדֻתָ֖ם

H5659

to their bondage

servitude

#16

בְּמִרְיָ֑ם

H4805

and in their rebellion

bitterness, i.e., (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious

#17

וְאַתָּה֩

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

#18

אֱל֨וֹהַּ

H433

but thou art a God

a deity or the deity

#19

סְלִיח֜וֹת

H5547

ready to pardon

pardon

#20

חַנּ֧וּן

H2587

gracious

#21

וְרַח֛וּם

H7349

and merciful

compassionate

#22

אֶֽרֶךְ

H750

slow

long

#23

אַפַּ֥יִם

H639

to anger

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

#24

וְרַב

H7227

and of great

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

#25

וחֶ֖סֶד

H2617

kindness

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

#26

וְלֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#27

עֲזַבְתָּֽם׃

H5800

and forsookest

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Nehemiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. 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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?