Nehemiah 9:24

Authorized King James Version

So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ
H935
went in
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
הַבָּנִים֙
H1121
So the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
וַיִּֽירְשׁ֣וּ
H3423
and possessed
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
#4
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
הָאָ֔רֶץ
H776
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#6
וַתַּכְנַ֨ע
H3665
and thou subduedst
properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish
#7
לִפְנֵיהֶ֜ם
H6440
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
#8
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֤י
H3427
them the inhabitants
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#10
הָאָ֔רֶץ
H776
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#11
הַכְּנַ֣עֲנִ֔ים
H3669
the Canaanites
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
#12
וַֽתִּתְּנֵ֖ם
H5414
and gavest
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#13
בְּיָדָ֑ם
H3027
them into their hands
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
#14
וְאֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
מַלְכֵיהֶם֙
H4428
with their kings
a king
#16
וְאֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
עַֽמְמֵ֣י
H5971
and the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#18
הָאָ֔רֶץ
H776
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#19
לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
H6213
that they might do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#20
בָּהֶ֖ם
H0
#21
כִּרְצוֹנָֽם׃
H7522
with them as they would
delight (especially as shown)

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 covenant community 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 covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection