Nehemiah 9:30 You were patient with them for many years, and Your Spirit admonished them through Your prophets. Yet they would not listen, so You gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.

◄ Nehemiah 9:30 ►

New International Version
For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.

New Living Translation
In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who warned them through the prophets. But still they wouldn’t listen! So once again you allowed the peoples of the land to conquer them.

English Standard Version
Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not give ear. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

Berean Standard Bible
You were patient with them for many years, and Your Spirit admonished them through Your prophets. Yet they would not listen, so You gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.

King James Bible
Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.

New King James Version
Yet for many years You had patience with them, And testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets. Yet they would not listen; Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

New American Standard Bible
“However, You remained patient with them for many years, And admonished them by Your Spirit through Your prophets, Yet they would not listen. Therefore You handed them over to the peoples of the lands.

NASB 1995
“However, You bore with them for many years, And admonished them by Your Spirit through Your prophets, Yet they would not give ear. Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

NASB 1977
“However, Thou didst bear with them for many years, And admonished them by Thy Spirit through Thy prophets, Yet they would not give ear. Therefore Thou didst give them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

Legacy Standard Bible
However, You bore with them for many years, And testified to them by Your Spirit by the hand of Your prophets, Yet they would not give ear. So You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

Amplified Bible
“Yet You were patient with them for many years, And admonished them and warned them by Your Spirit through Your prophets; Still they would not listen. Therefore You gave them into the hand (power) of the peoples of the lands.

Christian Standard Bible
You were patient with them for many years, and your Spirit warned them through your prophets, but they would not listen. Therefore, you handed them over to the surrounding peoples.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You were patient with them for many years, and Your Spirit warned them through Your prophets, but they would not listen. Therefore, You handed them over to the surrounding peoples.

American Standard Version
Yet many years didst thou bear with them, and testifiedst against them by thy Spirit through thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

Contemporary English Version
For years, you were patient, and your Spirit warned them with messages spoken by your prophets. Still they refused to listen, and you handed them over to their enemies.

English Revised Version
Yet many years didst thou bear with them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit through thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You were patient with them for many years. You warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. However, they wouldn't listen. So you handed them over to the people in the surrounding nations.

Good News Translation
Year after year you patiently warned them. You inspired your prophets to speak, but your people were deaf, so you let them be conquered by other nations.

International Standard Version
You were patient with them for many years, warning them by your Spirit through your prophets. But they would not listen, so you turned them over to the control of people in other lands.

Majority Standard Bible
You were patient with them for many years, and Your Spirit admonished them through Your prophets. Yet they would not listen, so You gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.

NET Bible
You prolonged your kindness with them for many years, and you solemnly admonished them by your Spirit through your prophets. Still they paid no attention, so you delivered them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.

New Heart English Bible
Yet many years you put up with them, and testified against them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet would they not give ear. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

Webster's Bible Translation
Yet many years didst thou forbear over them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore thou gavest them into the hand of the people of the lands.

World English Bible
Yet many years you put up with them, and testified against them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not listen. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And You draw over them many years, "" And testify against them by Your Spirit, "" By the hand of Your prophets, "" And they have not given ear, "" And You give them into the hand of peoples of the lands,

Young's Literal Translation
'And Thou drawest over them many years, and testifiest against them by Thy Spirit, by the hand of Thy prophets, and they have not given ear, and Thou dost give them into the hand of peoples of the lands,

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou wilt protract over them many years, and thou wilt testify against them by thy spirit in the hand of thy prophets: and they gave not ear, and thou wilt give them into the hand of the people of the lands.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou didst forbear with them for many years, and didst testify against them by thy spirit by the hand of thy prophets: and they heard not, and thou didst deliver them into the hand of the people of the lands.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you continued to forbear them for many years. And you contended with them by your Spirit, through the hand of your prophets. And they did not listen, and so you delivered them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

New American Bible
You were patient with them for many years, bearing witness against them through your spirit, by means of your prophets; Still they would not listen. Therefore you delivered them into the power of the peoples of the lands.

New Revised Standard Version
Many years you were patient with them, and warned them by your spirit through your prophets; yet they would not listen. Therefore you handed them over to the peoples of the lands.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Yet many years didst thou admonish them, and didst testify against them by thy spirit through thy prophets; yet they would not obey; therefore thou didst deliver them into the hand of the Gentiles.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you preached to them many years and you testified among them by your Spirit, by the agency of your Prophets, and they did not listen, and you delivered them into the hand of the Gentiles of the cities.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Yet many years didst Thou extend mercy unto them, and didst forewarn them by Thy spirit through Thy prophets; yet would they not give ear; therefore gavest Thou them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Yet thou didst bear long with them many years, and didst testify to them by thy Spirit by the hand of thy prophets: but they hearkened not; so thou gavest them into the hand of the nations of the land.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The People Confess Their Sins
…29You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They stubbornly shrugged their shoulders; they stiffened their necks and would not obey. 30You were patient with them for many years, and Your Spirit admonished them through Your prophets. Yet they would not listen, so You gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. 31But in Your great compassion, You did not put an end to them; nor did You forsake them, for You are a gracious and compassionate God.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Kings 17:13-15
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” / But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. / They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.

Jeremiah 7:25-26
From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. / Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.

Ezekiel 20:21
But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness.

Zechariah 7:12
They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.

Acts 7:51-53
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— / you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Jeremiah 25:4-5
And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear. / The prophets told you, ‘Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and deeds, and you can dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever.

Isaiah 30:9-10
These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.

Hosea 9:7
The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived—let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.

1 Thessalonians 2:15-16
who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, / hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.

Hebrews 3:7-9
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works.

Jeremiah 11:7-8
For from the time I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt until today, I strongly warned them again and again, saying, ‘Obey My voice.’ / Yet they would not obey or incline their ears, but each one followed the stubbornness of his evil heart. So I brought on them all the curses of this covenant I had commanded them to follow but they did not keep.”

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

Treasury of Scripture

Yet many years did you forbear them, and testified against them by your spirit in your prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gave you them into the hand of the people of the lands.

many years

Psalm 86:15
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Romans 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

forbear them.

2 Kings 17:13
Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

2 Chronicles 36:15
And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

Jeremiah 7:25
Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:

by thy spirit

Nehemiah 9:20
Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.

Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

Acts 7:51
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

thy prophets.

Isaiah 5:5,6
And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: …

Isaiah 42:24
Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.

Jeremiah 40:2,3
And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place…

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Nehemiah 9

1. A solemn fast, and repentance of the people
4. The Levites make a confession of God's goodness, and their wickedness

Berean Study Bible

You were patient with them
The Hebrew root for "patient" here is "arak," which conveys the idea of being long-suffering or slow to anger. This patience is a divine attribute, reflecting God's enduring mercy and grace towards His people despite their repeated disobedience. Historically, this patience is evident throughout the Old Testament, where God continually offers opportunities for repentance and restoration. This patience is not passive but active, as God continually seeks the redemption of His people.

for many years
This phrase underscores the extent of God's patience. The "many years" can be seen as a reference to the entire period of the judges and the monarchy, where God repeatedly sent prophets to call Israel back to faithfulness. It highlights the enduring nature of God's covenant love, which persists despite human failure. Archaeological findings, such as ancient inscriptions and records, corroborate the long history of Israel's existence and their interactions with surrounding nations, providing a backdrop to these "many years."

and Your Spirit admonished them
The term "Spirit" here is "Ruach" in Hebrew, indicating the active presence of God among His people. The Spirit's role in admonishing suggests a divine initiative to guide, correct, and instruct. This is consistent with the broader biblical narrative where the Spirit empowers prophets to speak God's truth. The admonishment is a form of divine communication, urging repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness.

through Your prophets
Prophets in the Old Testament were God's chosen messengers, often called to deliver difficult truths. The Hebrew word for prophet, "navi," implies one who is called or appointed. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel served as intermediaries between God and Israel, delivering messages of warning, hope, and future restoration. Their role was crucial in maintaining the spiritual and moral compass of the nation.

yet they paid no heed
This phrase reflects the tragic reality of Israel's repeated disobedience. The Hebrew root "azan" means to listen or give ear, and the negative form here indicates a willful refusal to listen. This stubbornness is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where despite clear warnings and signs, the people often chose their own path over God's. This refusal to heed divine warnings ultimately led to severe consequences.

So You delivered them into the hands of the people of the land
The phrase "delivered them" is significant, as it indicates a judicial act of God. The Hebrew root "natan" means to give or hand over, suggesting that God, in His justice, allowed Israel to face the consequences of their actions. The "people of the land" refers to foreign nations, such as the Assyrians and Babylonians, who were instruments of God's judgment. This historical reality is well-documented, with archaeological evidence supporting the invasions and exiles that Israel experienced. This act of delivering them serves as both a punishment and a means to bring about eventual repentance and restoration.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 30. - Many years didst thou forbear them. The ten tribes for 260 years from the revolt of Jeroboam, the remaining two tribes for 135 years longer. Testifiedst against them by thy Spirit in thy prophets. Compare 2 Kings 17:13, where the phrase used is nearly the same, and see also 2 Chronicles 36:15, 16. There was a continual succession of prophets from the time of Solomon to, and through, the captivity. Besides those whose writings have come down to us, we find mention of Ahijah the Shilonite, Iddo the seer, Shemaiah the prophet, Hanani, Jehu the son of Hanani, Elijah, Elisha, Micaiah the son of Imlah, Zechariah the son of Jehoiada, Huldah, and (perhaps) Hosai. The guilt of the Jewish people was enormously increased by the fact that they would not give ear to the exhortations constantly addressed to them by the messengers of God. Therefore they were delivered into the hands of the heathen, or people of the lands.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Yet You were patient
וַתִּמְשֹׁ֤ךְ (wat·tim·šōḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4900: To draw, drag

with
עֲלֵיהֶם֙ (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

them for many
רַבּ֔וֹת (rab·bō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

years,
שָׁנִ֣ים (šā·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

and Your Spirit
בְּרוּחֲךָ֛ (bə·rū·ḥă·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

admonished
וַתָּ֨עַד (wat·tā·‘aḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5749: To duplicate, repeat, to protest, testify, to encompass, restore

them
בָּ֧ם (bām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

through
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

Your prophets,
נְבִיאֶ֖יךָ (nə·ḇî·’e·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

but they would not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

listen;
הֶאֱזִ֑ינוּ (he·’ĕ·zî·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 238: To broaden out the ear, to listen

so You gave them
וַֽתִּתְּנֵ֔ם (wat·tit·tə·nêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

into the hands
בְּיַ֖ד (bə·yaḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the people
עַמֵּ֥י (‘am·mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of the land.
הָאֲרָצֹֽת׃ (hā·’ă·rā·ṣōṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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OT History: Nehemiah 9:30 Yet many years did you bear (Neh Ne)