Nehemiah 9:29

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתָּ֨עַד
H5749
And testifiedst
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
#2
בָּהֶ֜ם
H0
#3
לַֽהֲשִׁיבָ֣ם
H7725
against them that thou mightest bring them again
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#4
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
תּֽוֹרָתֶ֗ךָ
H8451
unto thy law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
#6
וְהֵ֨מָּה
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#7
הֵזִ֜ידוּ
H2102
yet they dealt proudly
to seethe; figuratively, to be insolent
#8
וְלֹֽא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#9
שָׁמֵֽעוּ׃
H8085
and hearkened
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#10
לְמִצְוֹתֶ֙יךָ֙
H4687
not unto thy commandments
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
#11
וּבְמִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ
H4941
against thy judgments
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#12
חָֽטְאוּ
H2398
but sinned
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#13
בָ֔ם
H0
#14
אֲשֶׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#15
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
H6213
do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#16
אָדָ֖ם
H120
which if a man
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
#17
וְחָיָ֣ה
H2421
he shall live
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
#18
בָהֶ֑ם
H0
#19
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ
H5414
in them and withdrew
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#20
כָתֵף֙
H3802
the shoulder
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
#21
סוֹרֶ֔רֶת
H5637
to turn away, i.e., (morally) be refractory
#22
וְעָרְפָּ֥ם
H6203
their neck
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
#23
הִקְשׁ֖וּ
H7185
and hardened
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
#24
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#25
שָׁמֵֽעוּ׃
H8085
and hearkened
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, 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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation 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