You 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. You admonished themThe Hebrew root for "admonished" is "וַתָּעֵד" (vata'ed), which conveys a sense of solemn warning or testimony. This reflects God's persistent and loving attempts to guide His people back to righteousness. Throughout history, God has used prophets, leaders, and His Word to warn His people, demonstrating His patience and desire for their repentance. to turn back to Your law
The phrase "turn back" comes from the Hebrew "לָשׁוּב" (lashuv), meaning to return or repent. This is a central theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of repentance and returning to God's ways. The "law" here refers to the Torah, God's instructions for living a holy life. It underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience leads to blessing. but they became arrogant
The Hebrew word for "arrogant" is "וַיָּזִדוּ" (vayazidu), suggesting a willful pride and rebellion against God. Arrogance in this context is a spiritual blindness that leads to a hardened heart, preventing individuals from acknowledging their need for God and His guidance. and disobeyed Your commandments
"Disobeyed" is derived from the Hebrew "וְלֹא שָׁמְעוּ" (velo sham'u), meaning they did not listen or heed. This disobedience is not just a failure to follow rules but a rejection of God's authority and wisdom. The "commandments" are divine instructions meant to guide the Israelites in a life that reflects God's holiness. They sinned against Your ordinances
The term "sinned" comes from the Hebrew "וַיֶּחֶטְאוּ" (vayechetu), indicating a missing of the mark or falling short of God's standards. "Ordinances" are specific decrees or judgments that God established for His people. Sinning against these is a direct affront to God's justice and order. by which a man will live if he does them
This phrase highlights the life-giving nature of God's laws. The Hebrew concept of "living" (חַי) is not merely existing but thriving in a relationship with God. Obedience to God's ordinances brings spiritual vitality and blessing, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, where choosing life is equated with loving and obeying God. They stubbornly turned their backs
"Stubbornly" is from the Hebrew "וַיִּתְּנוּ" (vayitnu), indicating a deliberate and obstinate refusal to follow God. Turning their backs symbolizes a complete rejection and turning away from God's presence and guidance, a tragic decision that leads to spiritual decline. stiffened their necks
This phrase uses the imagery of an ox resisting the yoke, a common biblical metaphor for rebellion. The Hebrew "וַיַּקְשׁוּ" (vayaksu) suggests a refusal to be led or corrected. It reflects a heart condition resistant to God's leading and correction. and would not listen
The Hebrew "וְלֹא שָׁמְעוּ" (velo sham'u) again emphasizes the refusal to hear or obey God's voice. Listening in the biblical sense involves not just hearing but responding in obedience. This refusal to listen is a recurring theme in Israel's history, leading to their downfall and exile. Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahA Jewish leader who played a crucial role in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the spiritual renewal of the people. 2. IsraelitesThe people of God who are being addressed in this passage, known for their repeated cycles of disobedience and repentance. 3. JerusalemThe city where these events are taking place, significant as the center of Jewish worship and identity. 4. The LawRefers to the commandments and ordinances given by God to Moses, which the Israelites are called to obey. 5. God's AdmonitionThe divine warnings and instructions given to the Israelites to guide them back to righteousness. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceGod's commandments are not arbitrary rules but are designed to lead to life and blessing. Obedience is a pathway to experiencing God's best for us. The Danger of ArrogancePride and self-reliance can lead us away from God's truth. We must remain humble and teachable, recognizing our need for God's guidance. The Consequences of StubbornnessJust as the Israelites suffered due to their stiff-necked attitude, we too can face spiritual stagnation and discipline if we resist God's leading. The Call to RepentanceGod continually calls His people back to Himself. Repentance is a necessary step in restoring our relationship with God and aligning with His will. Listening to God's VoiceCultivating a heart that listens to God involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and a willingness to change when convicted by the Holy Spirit. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Nehemiah 9:29 reflect the broader account of Israel's history with God, and what can we learn from their repeated cycles of disobedience and repentance? 2. In what ways can we identify with the Israelites' struggle with arrogance and disobedience in our own lives today? 3. How do the promises associated with obedience to God's law in Nehemiah 9:29 connect with the New Testament teachings on living a life of faith? 4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that we are not hardening our hearts or stiffening our necks against God's instructions? 5. How can we cultivate a lifestyle of listening to God and responding to His admonitions in our daily walk with Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 30:15-20This passage emphasizes the choice between life and death, blessing and curse, based on obedience to God's commandments, similar to the life-giving ordinances mentioned in Nehemiah 9:29. Ezekiel 20:11God gave His statutes and ordinances so that those who follow them will live, echoing the promise of life through obedience. Romans 10:5Paul references the righteousness that comes from the law, which aligns with the idea that life is found in doing God's commandments. Hebrews 3:7-19This passage warns against hardening hearts and disobedience, paralleling the Israelites' stubbornness and rebellion. People Abram, Amorites, Bani, Bunni, Canaanites, Chenani, Egyptians, Ezra, Girgashite, Girgashites, Hashabniah, Hittites, Hodiah, Hodijah, Israelites, Jebusites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Levites, Og, Perizzites, Pethahiah, Pharaoh, Shebaniah, Sherebiah, SihonPlaces Assyria, Bashan, Egypt, Gate of Ephraim, Heshbon, Mount Sinai, Red Sea, UrTopics Acted, Admonished, Arrogant, Arrogantly, Attention, Backs, Bring, Commandments, Commands, Dealt, Decisions, Didn't, Disobeyed, Ear, Forewarn, Hardened, Hearkened, Hearts, Judgments, Keeps, Law, Lifted, Listen, Mightest, Neck, Necks, Obey, Obeys, Observance, Observes, Order, Orders, Ordinances, Presented, Presumptuously, Proudly, Refractory, Refused, Return, Shoulder, Sinned, Stiff, Stiffened, Stiff-necked, Stubborn, Stubbornly, Testified, Testifiedst, Testify, Turn, Turning, Warn, Withdrew, Witness, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Nehemiah 9:29 5127 back
5793 arrogance
6021 sin, nature of
6245 stubbornness
8805 pride, results Nehemiah 9:16-29 5170 neck Nehemiah 9:16-31 6223 rebellion, of Israel Nehemiah 9:26-29 6195 impenitence, results Nehemiah 9:26-31 8705 apostasy, in OT Nehemiah 9:29-30 1075 God, justice of
5777 admonition Nehemiah 9:29-31 8764 forgetting God Library The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength. Neh 9:10
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John Newton—Olney HymnsQuestions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The "Fraternity" of Pharisees
To realise the state of religious society at the time of our Lord, the fact that the Pharisees were a regular "order," and that there were many such "fraternities," in great measure the outcome of the original Pharisees, must always be kept in view. For the New Testament simply transports us among contemporary scenes and actors, taking the then existent state of things, so to speak, for granted. But the fact referred to explains many seemingly strange circumstances, and casts fresh light upon all. …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair, My Love; There is no Spot in Thee. " --Song of Solomon iv. 7.
FRAGRANT SPICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF MYRRH. HOW marvellous are these words! "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee." The glorious Bridegroom is charmed with His spouse, and sings soft canticles of admiration. When the bride extols her Lord there is no wonder, for He deserves it well, and in Him there is room for praise without possibility of flattery. But does He who is wiser than Solomon condescend to praise this sunburnt Shulamite? Tis even so, for these are His own words, and were …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come The Personality of the Holy Spirit.
Before one can correctly understand the work of the Holy Spirit, he must first of all know the Spirit Himself. A frequent source of error and fanaticism about the work of the Holy Spirit is the attempt to study and understand His work without first of all coming to know Him as a Person. It is of the highest importance from the standpoint of worship that we decide whether the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, worthy to receive our adoration, our faith, our love, and our entire surrender to Himself, …
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit The Early Life of Malachy. Having Been Admitted to Holy Orders He Associates with Malchus
[Sidenote: 1095.] 1. Our Malachy, born in Ireland,[134] of a barbarous people, was brought up there, and there received his education. But from the barbarism of his birth he contracted no taint, any more than the fishes of the sea from their native salt. But how delightful to reflect, that uncultured barbarism should have produced for us so worthy[135] a fellow-citizen with the saints and member of the household of God.[136] He who brings honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock[137] …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Of Immediate Revelation.
Of Immediate Revelation. [29] Seeing no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son revealeth him; and seeing the revelation of the Son is in and by the Spirit; therefore the testimony of the Spirit is that alone by which the true knowledge of God hath been, is, and can be only revealed; who as, by the moving of his own Spirit, he disposed the chaos of this world into that wonderful order in which it was in the beginning, and created man a living soul, to rule and govern it, so by …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Holy War,
MADE BY SHADDAI UPON DIABOLUS, FOR THE REGAINING OF THE METROPOLIS OF THE WORLD; OR, THE LOSING AND TAKING AGAIN OF THE TOWN OF MANSOUL. THE AUTHOR OF 'THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.' 'I have used similitudes.'--Hosea 12:10. London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms in the Poultry; and Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1682. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Bunyan's account of the Holy War is indeed an extraordinary book, manifesting a degree of genius, research, and spiritual …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Nehemiah 9:29 NIVNehemiah 9:29 NLTNehemiah 9:29 ESVNehemiah 9:29 NASBNehemiah 9:29 KJV
Nehemiah 9:29 Commentaries
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