Nehemiah 1:9
New International Version
but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

New Living Translation
But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’

English Standard Version
but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’

Berean Standard Bible
but if you return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.’

King James Bible
But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

New King James Version
but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’

New American Standard Bible
but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I have chosen to have My name dwell.’

NASB 1995
but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’

NASB 1977
but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’

Legacy Standard Bible
but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been banished were at the ends of the sky, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’

Amplified Bible
but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered are in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen for My Name to dwell.’

Christian Standard Bible
But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have my name dwell.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if you return to Me and carefully observe My commands, even though your exiles were banished to the ends of the earth, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have My name dwell.”

American Standard Version
but if ye return unto me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.

Contemporary English Version
But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshiped.

English Revised Version
but if ye return unto me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to cause my name to dwell there.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But if you return to me and continue to obey my commandments, though your people may be driven to the most distant point on the horizon, I will come and get you from there and bring you to the place where I chose to put my name.'

Good News Translation
But then if you turn back to me and do what I have commanded you, I will bring you back to the place where I have chosen to be worshiped, even though you are scattered to the ends of the earth.'

International Standard Version
but if you return to me, keeping my commands and doing them, even if your exiled people are in the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I have chosen to establish my Name.'

Majority Standard Bible
but if you return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.?

NET Bible
But if you repent and obey my commandments and do them, then even if your dispersed people are in the most remote location, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen for my name to reside.'

New Heart English Bible
but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest horizon, yet will I gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.'

Webster's Bible Translation
But if ye turn to me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you driven to the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

World English Bible
but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have turned back to Me, and kept My commands, and done them—if your outcast is in the end of the heavens, there I gather them, and have brought them to the place that I have chosen to cause My Name to dwell there.

Young's Literal Translation
and ye have turned back unto Me, and kept My commands, and done them -- if your outcast is in the end of the heavens, thence I gather them, and have brought them in unto the place that I have chosen to cause My name to tabernacle there.

Smith's Literal Translation
And did ye turn back to me and watch my commands and do them; if there shall be a thrusting forth of you into the extremity of the heavens, from thence will I gather them and bring them to the place which I chose for my name to dwell there.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if you return to me, and keep my commandments, and do them, though you should be led away to the uttermost parts of the world, I will gather you from thence, and bring you back to the place which I have chosen for my name to dwell there.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if you will return to me, and keep my precepts, and do them, even if you will have been led away to the furthest reaches of the heavens, I will gather you from there, and I will lead you back to the place that I have chosen so that my name would dwell there.’

New American Bible
but if you return to me and carefully keep my commandments, even though your outcasts have been driven to the farthest corner of the world, I will gather them from there, and bring them back to the place I have chosen as the dwelling place for my name.

New Revised Standard Version
but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if you turn to me and keep my laws and do them, then though your scattered ones were in the uttermost part of heaven, vet I will gather you from thence and bring you to the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall return to me, and you shall keep my laws and you shall do them, and if they shall scatter you into the ends of Heaven, from there I shall bring you, and I shall bring you to the place where I have chosen to encamp my name.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
but if ye return unto Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though your dispersed were in the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to cause My name to dwell there.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But if ye turn again to me, and keep my commandments, and do them; if ye should be scattered under the utmost bound of heaven, thence will I gather them, and I will bring them into the place which I have chosen to cause my name to dwell there.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Nehemiah's Prayer
8Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses when You said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9but if you return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.’ 10They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed them by Your great power and mighty hand.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 30:1-5
“When all these things come upon you—the blessings and curses I have set before you—and you call them to mind in all the nations to which the LORD your God has banished you, / and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey His voice with all your heart and all your soul according to everything I am giving you today, / then He will restore you from captivity and have compassion on you and gather you from all the nations to which the LORD your God has scattered you. ...

Leviticus 26:40-45
But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— / and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, / then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. ...

Jeremiah 29:12-14
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. / I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and places to which I have banished you, declares the LORD. I will restore you to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

Ezekiel 11:16-20
Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.’ / Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries to which you have been scattered, and I will give back to you the land of Israel.’ / When they return to it, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations. ...

Isaiah 11:11-12
On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. / He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Deuteronomy 4:29-31
But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. / When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. / For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers, which He swore to them by oath.

Jeremiah 31:8-10
Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly! / They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.” / Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.

Ezekiel 36:24-28
For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and I will bring you back into your own land. / I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. / I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ...

Isaiah 43:5-7
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west. / I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth— / everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.”

Zechariah 10:8-10
I will whistle for them to gather, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they once were. / Though I sow them among the nations, they will remember Me in distant lands; they and their children will live and return. / I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon until no more room is found for them.

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

John 14:23
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Acts 17:27
God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.

Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.


Treasury of Scripture

But if you turn to me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out to the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

if ye turn

Leviticus 26:39-42
And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them…

Deuteronomy 4:29-31
But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul…

Deuteronomy 30:2-5
And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; …

yet will I

1 Chronicles 16:35
And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.

Psalm 106:47
Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.

Psalm 147:2
The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.

will bring

Jeremiah 3:14
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

Ezekiel 36:24
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

the place

Deuteronomy 12:5,21
But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: …

1 Kings 9:3
And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

Ezra 6:12
And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.

Jump to Previous
Cast Cause Chosen Commandments Commands Dispersed Dwell Exiled Farthest Gather Heaven Heavens Horizon Marked Obey Orders Outcasts Part Remote Resting-Place Scattered Thence Turn Uttermost
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Cast Cause Chosen Commandments Commands Dispersed Dwell Exiled Farthest Gather Heaven Heavens Horizon Marked Obey Orders Outcasts Part Remote Resting-Place Scattered Thence Turn Uttermost
Nehemiah 1
1. Nehemiah, understanding by Hanani the misery of Jerusalem, mourns, fasts, and prays
5. His prayer














But if you return to Me
The phrase "return to Me" is rooted in the Hebrew word "shuv," which means to turn back or repent. This concept of returning is central to the covenant relationship between God and His people. It implies not just a physical return, but a heartfelt repentance and a reorientation of life towards God. Historically, this call to return is significant as it reflects the cyclical pattern of Israel's disobedience and God's call for repentance throughout the Old Testament. It is a reminder of God's enduring mercy and willingness to restore those who earnestly seek Him.

and keep My commandments
The Hebrew word for "keep" is "shamar," which means to guard, observe, or give heed. This implies a diligent and careful observance of God's laws, not merely a passive acknowledgment. The commandments refer to the Torah, the divine instructions given to Israel. In a broader sense, this highlights the importance of obedience in the life of a believer, emphasizing that true repentance is accompanied by a commitment to live according to God's standards.

and do them
The phrase "do them" underscores the necessity of action in faith. It is not enough to merely know or acknowledge God's commandments; they must be actively practiced. This reflects the biblical principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). The historical context of Nehemiah involves the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, a tangible act of faith and obedience, symbolizing the restoration of both the city and the people's relationship with God.

then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon
The term "exiles" refers to those who have been taken captive and removed from their homeland. The "farthest horizon" is a poetic expression indicating the most distant places imaginable. This phrase highlights the extent of God's promise to restore His people, no matter how far they have been scattered. It reflects the historical reality of the Babylonian exile and God's promise of return, serving as a powerful metaphor for spiritual restoration and the boundless reach of God's grace.

I will gather them from there
The act of gathering is a recurring theme in Scripture, often associated with God's redemptive work. The Hebrew word "qabats" means to collect or assemble. This promise of gathering signifies God's initiative in restoring His people, emphasizing His sovereignty and faithfulness. It is a message of hope and assurance that no matter how dispersed or lost one may feel, God is able to bring them back into His fold.

and bring them to the place I have chosen
The "place I have chosen" refers to Jerusalem, the city God selected as the center of worship and the dwelling place of His Name. This choice is rooted in God's covenant with David and the establishment of the temple. It signifies God's desire for a relationship with His people and His commitment to dwell among them. Historically, this reflects the return of the exiles to Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership, symbolizing the restoration of worship and community.

as a dwelling for My Name
The "dwelling for My Name" signifies God's presence and His covenant relationship with Israel. In Hebrew thought, a name represents one's character and authority. Thus, God's Name dwelling in a place indicates His presence, blessing, and protection. This phrase underscores the ultimate purpose of the return and restoration: to reestablish a community centered around the worship and glorification of God. It serves as a reminder of the believer's calling to be a living temple, a dwelling place for God's presence in the world.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
but [if] you return
וְשַׁבְתֶּ֣ם (wə·šaḇ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to Me
אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

to keep
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ (ū·šə·mar·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

and practice
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם (wa·‘ă·śî·ṯem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

My commandments,
מִצְוֺתַ֔י (miṣ·wō·ṯay)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4687: Commandment

then even if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

your exiles
נִֽדַּחֲכֶ֜ם (nid·da·ḥă·ḵem)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5080: To impel, thrust, banish

have been
יִהְיֶ֨ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

banished to the ends
בִּקְצֵ֤ה (biq·ṣêh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7097: End, extremity

of the earth,
הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

I will gather them
אֲקַבְּצֵ֔ם (’ă·qab·bə·ṣêm)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

from there
מִשָּׁ֣ם (miš·šām)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

and bring
וַהֲבִֽיאוֹתִים֙ (wa·hă·ḇî·’ō·w·ṯîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

them to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the place
הַמָּק֔וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

I have chosen
בָּחַ֔רְתִּי (bā·ḥar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 977: To try, select

as a dwelling
לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן (lə·šak·kên)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

for
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

My Name.’
שְׁמִ֖י (šə·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name


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OT History: Nehemiah 1:9 But if you return to me (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 1:8
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