Nehemiah 9:2
New International Version
Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors.

New Living Translation
Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors.

English Standard Version
And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.

Berean Standard Bible
Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.

King James Bible
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

New King James Version
Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.

New American Standard Bible
The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the wrongdoings of their fathers.

NASB 1995
The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.

NASB 1977
And the descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.

Legacy Standard Bible
The seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.

Amplified Bible
The descendants of Israel (Jacob) separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the wrongdoings of their fathers.

Christian Standard Bible
Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their ancestors.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the guilt of their fathers.

American Standard Version
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

Contemporary English Version
They refused to let foreigners join them, as they met to confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors.

English Revised Version
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those who were descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood and confessed their sins as well as the wicked things their ancestors had done.

International Standard Version
The remnant of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners. Then they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their ancestors.

Majority Standard Bible
Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.

NET Bible
Those truly of Israelite descent separated from all the foreigners, standing and confessing their sins and the iniquities of their ancestors.

New Heart English Bible
The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

World English Bible
The offspring of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the seed of Israel are separated from all sons of a stranger, and stand and confess concerning their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers,

Young's Literal Translation
and the seed of Israel are separated from all sons of a stranger, and stand and confess concerning their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the seed of Israel will be separated from all the sons of the stranger, and they will stand and confess over their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the seed of the children of Israel separated themselves from every stranger: and they stood, and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the offspring of the sons of Israel were separated from all the sons of foreigners. And they stood up, and they confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.

New American Bible
Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all who were of foreign extraction, then stood forward and confessed their sins and the guilty deeds of their ancestors.

New Revised Standard Version
Then those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their ancestors.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the descendants of Israel separated themselves from all the Gentiles, and stood and confessed their sins and the sins of their fathers.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the seed of Israel were separated from all the Gentiles, and they stood and were confessing concerning their sins and concerning the sins of their fathers.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Israel separated themselves from every stranger, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The People Confess Their Sins
1On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads. 2Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.…

Cross References
Ezra 10:11
Now, therefore, make a confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do His will. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from your foreign wives.”

Leviticus 20:26
You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.

2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Deuteronomy 7:6
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Isaiah 52:11
Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.

2 Kings 17:33-34
They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been carried away. / To this day they are still practicing their former customs. None of them worship the LORD or observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom He named Israel.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Exodus 33:16
For how then can it be known that Your people and I have found favor in Your sight, unless You go with us? How else will we be distinguished from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

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.

Deuteronomy 14:2
for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Leviticus 11:44-45
For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. / For I am the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt so that I would be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Joshua 24:23
“Now, therefore,” he said, “get rid of the foreign gods among you and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”


Treasury of Scripture

And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

the seed

Nehemiah 13:3,30
Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude…

Ezra 9:2
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.

Ezra 10:11
Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.

strangers.

Psalm 144:7,11
Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; …

Isaiah 2:6
Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.

Hosea 5:7
They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.

confessed

Nehemiah 1:6
Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.

Leviticus 26:39,40
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…

Ezra 9:6,7,15
And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens…

Jump to Previous
Confess Confessed Descendants Descent Fathers Foreigners Forgiveness Iniquities Israel Israelite Israelites Nations Places Publicly Requesting Seed Separate Separated Sins Stand Stood Stranger Strangers Themselves Wickedness
Jump to Next
Confess Confessed Descendants Descent Fathers Foreigners Forgiveness Iniquities Israel Israelite Israelites Nations Places Publicly Requesting Seed Separate Separated Sins Stand Stood Stranger Strangers Themselves Wickedness
Nehemiah 9
1. A solemn fast, and repentance of the people
4. The Levites make a confession of God's goodness, and their wickedness














Those of Israelite descent
This phrase emphasizes the identity and heritage of the people involved. The Israelites were the chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the Hebrew context, the term "Israelite" signifies a covenant relationship with Yahweh. This separation underscores their unique calling and responsibility to uphold the laws and commandments given to them. Historically, this identity was crucial in maintaining the purity of worship and adherence to God's statutes, especially after the Babylonian exile when cultural and religious assimilation was a significant threat.

separated themselves
The act of separation here is both physical and spiritual. The Hebrew root for "separated" is "badal," which means to divide or distinguish. This action reflects a conscious decision to live according to God's standards, distinct from the surrounding nations. In a historical context, this separation was necessary to preserve the integrity of their faith and practices. Spiritually, it symbolizes repentance and a return to holiness, aligning with the biblical principle of being "set apart" for God's purposes.

from all the foreigners
This phrase indicates a clear demarcation between the Israelites and the non-Israelites. The term "foreigners" refers to those who did not share in the covenant relationship with Yahweh. In the post-exilic period, intermarriage and cultural blending posed significant challenges to maintaining religious purity. By separating from foreigners, the Israelites were reaffirming their commitment to God's laws and rejecting influences that could lead them astray from their faith.

and they stood
The act of standing is significant in biblical terms, often associated with taking a position or making a declaration. In this context, standing represents readiness and resolve to confess and repent. It is a posture of respect and attentiveness before God, indicating the seriousness of their actions. Historically, standing during prayer or confession was a common practice, symbolizing the community's collective acknowledgment of their sins and their desire to seek God's forgiveness.

and confessed their sins
Confession is a critical component of repentance and restoration in the biblical narrative. The Hebrew word for "confess" is "yadah," which means to acknowledge or give thanks. Here, it involves admitting wrongdoing and expressing remorse. This public confession signifies a communal recognition of their failures and a desire to return to God's ways. Scripturally, confession is often the first step towards reconciliation with God, highlighting the importance of humility and honesty in the believer's life.

and the iniquities of their fathers
This phrase acknowledges the generational aspect of sin and its consequences. The term "iniquities" refers to moral perversity or guilt. By confessing the sins of their ancestors, the Israelites were recognizing the patterns of disobedience that had led to their exile and suffering. This acknowledgment is crucial for breaking the cycle of sin and seeking a fresh start. Biblically, it reflects the understanding that while individuals are responsible for their actions, the community bears the weight of its collective history, necessitating a comprehensive approach to repentance and renewal.

(2) The seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers.--The change to "seed" has here a deep propriety. They carefully avoided the many aliens among them throughout this fast.

And stood and confessed.--It must be remembered that these verses give the programme of what is afterwards filled up: the very praise for which they "stood" was filled with confession.

Verse 2. - The seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers. Compare Nehemiah 10:28, by which it appears that the "strangers" are "the people of the lands," or neighbouring heathen, of whom there were at all times considerable numbers in Jerusalem (comp. Nehemiah 13:16). It was not fitting that these aliens should take part in a ceremony of which the main object was that the special people of God should renew their covenant with him. Stood and confessed. Attitude is perhaps scarcely intended here, since the Jews confessed their sins kneeling (Ezra 9:5), or prostrate (Ezra 10:1). Hence we hear in the next verse that they "stood up," or "rose up" (consurrexerunt, Vulg.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Those of Israelite
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

descent
זֶ֣רַע (ze·ra‘)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

separated themselves
וַיִּבָּֽדְלוּ֙ (way·yib·bā·ḏə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 914: To be divided, separate

from all
מִכֹּ֖ל (mik·kōl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the foreigners,
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

and they stood
וַיַּעַמְד֗וּ (way·ya·‘am·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

and confessed
וַיִּתְוַדּוּ֙ (way·yiṯ·wad·dū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

their sins
חַטֹּ֣אתֵיהֶ֔ם (ḥaṭ·ṭō·ṯê·hem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

and the iniquities
וַעֲוֺנ֖וֹת (wa·‘ă·wō·nō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

of their fathers.
אֲבֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ (’ă·ḇō·ṯê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father


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OT History: Nehemiah 9:2 The seed of Israel separated themselves (Neh Ne)
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