Nehemiah 9:29
And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
Original Language Analysis
וַתָּ֨עַד
And testifiedst
H5749
וַתָּ֨עַד
And testifiedst
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
1 of 25
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
לַֽהֲשִׁיבָ֣ם
against them that thou mightest bring them again
H7725
לַֽהֲשִׁיבָ֣ם
against them that thou mightest bring them again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
3 of 25
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
תּֽוֹרָתֶ֗ךָ
unto thy law
H8451
תּֽוֹרָתֶ֗ךָ
unto thy law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
5 of 25
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
הֵזִ֜ידוּ
yet they dealt proudly
H2102
הֵזִ֜ידוּ
yet they dealt proudly
Strong's:
H2102
Word #:
7 of 25
to seethe; figuratively, to be insolent
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמֵֽעוּ׃
and hearkened
H8085
שָׁמֵֽעוּ׃
and hearkened
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
9 of 25
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
לְמִצְוֹתֶ֙יךָ֙
not unto thy commandments
H4687
לְמִצְוֹתֶ֙יךָ֙
not unto thy commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
10 of 25
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
וּבְמִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ
against thy judgments
H4941
וּבְמִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ
against thy judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
חָֽטְאוּ
but sinned
H2398
חָֽטְאוּ
but sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
12 of 25
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
do
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 25
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אָדָ֖ם
which if a man
H120
אָדָ֖ם
which if a man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
16 of 25
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וְחָיָ֣ה
he shall live
H2421
וְחָיָ֣ה
he shall live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
17 of 25
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ
in them and withdrew
H5414
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ
in them and withdrew
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
19 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
כָתֵף֙
the shoulder
H3802
כָתֵף֙
the shoulder
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
20 of 25
the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi
סוֹרֶ֔רֶת
H5637
וְעָרְפָּ֥ם
their neck
H6203
וְעָרְפָּ֥ם
their neck
Strong's:
H6203
Word #:
22 of 25
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
הִקְשׁ֖וּ
and hardened
H7185
הִקְשׁ֖וּ
and hardened
Strong's:
H7185
Word #:
23 of 25
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
Cross References
Nehemiah 9:16But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,Leviticus 18:5Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.Nehemiah 9:10And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.Nehemiah 9:26Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.Jeremiah 43:2Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:Hosea 6:5Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.Jeremiah 7:26Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.Jeremiah 19:15Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.Jeremiah 17:23But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.Jeremiah 44:10They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.
Historical Context
Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. The spiritual reforms under Ezra and Nehemiah shaped Judaism for centuries, establishing Scripture's centrality and patterns of worship continuing into the intertestamental period and beyond. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.
Questions for Reflection
- How does regular engagement with Scripture transform understanding of God and His will for your life?
- What specific commitments do you need to make (or renew) regarding Bible reading, worship, and obedience?
- How can the principles demonstrated in this passage inform your response to current challenges in your life or church?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
This verse within Nehemiah 9 addresses themes of confession, God's faithfulness, corporate prayer, covenant history. Extended corporate prayer recounts God's faithfulness through Israel's history while honestly confessing persistent covenant violations. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.