Nehemiah 9:6
Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
Original Language Analysis
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 28
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יְהוָה֮
Thou even thou art LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֮
Thou even thou art LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְבַדֶּךָ֒
H905
לְבַדֶּךָ֒
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
4 of 28
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
אַתָּ֣
H853
אַתָּ֣
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָשִׂ֡יתָ
alone thou hast made
H6213
עָשִׂ֡יתָ
alone thou hast made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 28
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
8 of 28
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
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
9 of 28
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
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
10 of 28
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
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּצְבָ֥א
them all and the host
H6635
וּצְבָ֥א
them all and the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
12 of 28
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָלֶ֙יהָ֙
H5921
עָלֶ֙יהָ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיַּמִּים֙
and all things that are therein the seas
H3220
הַיַּמִּים֙
and all things that are therein the seas
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
17 of 28
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְחַיֶּ֣ה
and all that is therein and thou preservest
H2421
מְחַיֶּ֣ה
and all that is therein and thou preservest
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
22 of 28
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֻּלָּ֑ם
H3605
כֻּלָּ֑ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
24 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּצְבָ֥א
them all and the host
H6635
וּצְבָ֥א
them all and the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
25 of 28
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
Cross References
Isaiah 37:16O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.Deuteronomy 10:14Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.Deuteronomy 6:4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:Revelation 4:11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.Isaiah 44:8Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.Isaiah 44:6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.Genesis 2:1Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.2 Kings 19:15And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.Isaiah 43:10Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
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
Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
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.