Nehemiah 9:32
Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֣ה
H6258
אֱ֠לֹהֵינוּ
Now therefore our God
H430
אֱ֠לֹהֵינוּ
Now therefore our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 30
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
הָאֵ֨ל
God
H410
הָאֵ֨ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
3 of 30
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
הַגָּד֜וֹל
the great
H1419
הַגָּד֜וֹל
the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
4 of 30
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְהַנּוֹרָא֮
and the terrible
H3372
וְהַנּוֹרָא֮
and the terrible
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
6 of 30
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
שׁוֹמֵ֣ר
who keepest
H8104
שׁוֹמֵ֣ר
who keepest
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
7 of 30
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
הַבְּרִ֣ית
covenant
H1285
הַבְּרִ֣ית
covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
8 of 30
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
וְהַחֶסֶד֒
and mercy
H2617
וְהַחֶסֶד֒
and mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
9 of 30
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
10 of 30
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יִמְעַ֣ט
seem little
H4591
יִמְעַ֣ט
seem little
Strong's:
H4591
Word #:
11 of 30
properly, to pare off, i.e., lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective)
לְפָנֶ֡יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֡יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
12 of 30
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲֽשֶׁר
H834
אֲֽשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 30
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְ֠צָאַתְנוּ
thee that hath come
H4672
מְ֠צָאַתְנוּ
thee that hath come
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
17 of 30
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
וּלְכֹֽהֲנֵ֛ינוּ
and on our priests
H3548
וּלְכֹֽהֲנֵ֛ינוּ
and on our priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
20 of 30
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְלִנְבִיאֵ֥נוּ
and on our prophets
H5030
וְלִנְבִיאֵ֥נוּ
and on our prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
21 of 30
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
וְלַֽאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ
and on our fathers
H1
וְלַֽאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ
and on our fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
22 of 30
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וּלְכָל
H3605
וּלְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
23 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַמֶּ֑ךָ
and on all thy people
H5971
עַמֶּ֑ךָ
and on all thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
24 of 30
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַיּ֥וֹם
since the time
H3117
הַיּ֥וֹם
since the time
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
25 of 30
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assyria
H804
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assyria
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
27 of 30
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
28 of 30
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Nehemiah 1:5And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:Deuteronomy 7:9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;Daniel 9:8O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.Daniel 9:4And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;Daniel 9:6Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
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
Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.
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.