Nehemiah 9:28

Authorized King James Version

But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּכְנ֣וֹחַ
H5117
But after they had rest
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
#2
לָהֶ֔ם
H0
#3
וַיָּשׁ֙וּבוּ֙
H7725
again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#4
לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת
H6213
they did
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#5
רַ֖ע
H7451
evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#6
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
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
#7
וַתַּֽעַזְבֵ֞ם
H5800
thee therefore leftest
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
#8
בְּיַ֤ד
H3027
thou them in the hand
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
#9
אֹֽיְבֵיהֶם֙
H341
of their enemies
hating; an adversary
#10
וַיִּרְדּ֣וּ
H7287
so that they had the dominion
to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off
#11
בָהֶ֔ם
H0
#12
וַיָּשׁ֙וּבוּ֙
H7725
again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#13
וַיִּזְעָק֔וּךָ
H2199
and cried
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
#14
וְאַתָּ֞ה
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#15
מִשָּׁמַ֧יִם
H8064
them 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
#16
תִּשְׁמַ֛ע
H8085
unto thee thou heardest
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#17
וְתַצִּילֵ֥ם
H5337
didst thou deliver
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
#18
כְּֽרַחֲמֶ֖יךָ
H7356
them according to thy mercies
compassion (in the plural)
#19
רַבּ֥וֹת
H7227
and many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#20
עִתִּֽים׃
H6256
times
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

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

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