Confession, Praise, and a Recital of Israel's History
Nehemiah 9:1-37
Neh.9.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וביום: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- וארבעה: CONJ+NUM,card,m,sg
- לחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- נאספו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בצום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובשקים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואדמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Daniel 9:3 (verbal): Daniel sets himself to seek the Lord with prayer, supplications, fasting, sackcloth, and ashes—closely parallels Nehemiah's combined practices of fasting, sackcloth, and dust/ashes as an expression of national humiliation.
- Jonah 3:5-8 (verbal): The people of Nineveh proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth in response to prophetic warning, paralleling the communal fast and wearing of sackcloth in Nehemiah as a corporate repentance.
- Esther 4:3 (thematic): Mordecai and the Jews fasted, wept, and wore sackcloth and ashes—a Jewish communal response of mourning and petition like the assembly described in Nehemiah.
- Joel 2:12-13 (thematic): Joel calls for repentance with fasting and wearing sackcloth (and inner contrition), echoing Nehemiah's emphasis on outward signs of humiliation accompanying national penitence.
- 2 Chronicles 20:3 (structural): Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast and Judah gathers to seek the Lord—a similar pattern of a national assembly called to fasting and prayer in times of crisis, as in Nehemiah 9:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel assembled, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on them.
- On the twenty-fourth day of this month the Israelites assembled, fasting and wearing sackcloth and with dust on themselves.
Neh.9.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבדלו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- זרע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מכל: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- נכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעמדו: CONJ+VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ויתודו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- חטאתיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- ועונות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אבתיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezra 10:2 (verbal): Community response to foreign marriages: people separate themselves from foreign wives and gather to confess and remedy the offense—parallels Neh 9:2’s separation from foreigners and corporate repentance.
- Daniel 9:5 (verbal): Confessional language: Daniel explicitly confesses the sins of Israel and of their ancestors—closely mirrors Neh 9:2’s standing to acknowledge their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
- Deuteronomy 7:3-4 (thematic): Law against intermarriage with the nations and the rationale (turning hearts away from God); provides the theological/ legal background for Israel’s separation from ‘foreigners’ in Neh 9:2.
- 2 Chronicles 30:18-19 (thematic): During Hezekiah’s Passover many humbled themselves and confessed uncleanliness and past sins; a parallel instance of communal confession and purification like Neh 9:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- The people of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners; they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
- They separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
Neh.9.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקומו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- עמדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויקראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בספר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תורת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- רבעית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ורבעית: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מתודים: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,pl
- ומשתחוים: CONJ+VERB,hitpael,ptc,3,m,pl
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלהיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
Parallels
- Nehemiah 8:3 (verbal): Same scene in the Ezra–Nehemiah narrative: the people stand and Ezra reads the book of the law aloud from morning until midday before the assembly — closely parallels wording and action.
- Joshua 8:34-35 (verbal): After the covenant is written, Joshua reads 'all the words of the law' publicly 'between morning and midday,' echoing the practice of prolonged public reading of the law.
- Deuteronomy 31:10-13 (structural): Mosaic law prescribing periodic public reading of the law to all Israel so that the people may hear and learn — provides the legal/ritual basis for assemblies that read and confess the law.
- 2 Kings 23:1-3 (thematic): King Josiah assembles all the people, reads the book of the covenant, stands before them and leads a covenant renewal — parallels public reading, standing, and communal confession/renewal.
Alternative generated candidates
- They stood in their places and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and for another quarter they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.
- They stood in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day; and for another quarter they confessed, and they bowed down and worshiped the LORD their God.
Neh.9.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- מעלה: VERB,qal,ptcp,m,sg
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ישוע: NOUN,m,sg,abs,prop
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- קדמיאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבניה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- שרביה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- כנני: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויזעקו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
Parallels
- Nehemiah 8:6 (structural): Immediate context: Levites and leaders stand and the people respond with lifted hands, worship and blessing — same public liturgical posture and vocal response.
- 2 Chronicles 5:13 (verbal): Priests and Levites 'lift up their voice' with trumpets and cymbals so that the house was filled with a loud sound of praise, echoing the loud cry to the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 20:19 (thematic): Levites stand to praise God at a national assembly (Jehoshaphat's assembly); parallels the role of Levites as public worship leaders crying out to the LORD.
- Ezra 3:11 (thematic): At the laying of the foundation the people shouted and praised the LORD with one voice — a communal loud cry of thanksgiving like the Levites' cry in Neh 9:4.
- Psalm 134:1-2 (allusion): Address to 'servants of the LORD' who stand in the house of the LORD and bless him — reflects the Levites' standing service and vocal blessing of God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the Levites rose up: Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel and his sons, Shebaniah and his sons, the sons of Kenani; and they cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God.
- Then the Levites—Jeshua, and the sons of Kadmiel, Shebaniah, the sons of Sherebiah, the sons of Kanani—rose and cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God.
Neh.9.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ישוע: NOUN,m,sg,abs,prop
- וקדמיאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- חשבניה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שרביה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הודיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבניה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פתחיה: NOUN,m,pl,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- קומו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- ברכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- העולם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- העולם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויברכו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- כבודך: NOUN,m,sg,pronom-2-m
- ומרומם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- ברכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותהלה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 103:1 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel: both begin with an exhortation to bless the LORD ('Bless the LORD, O my soul' / 'קומו ברכו את־ יהוה').
- Psalm 113:2 (verbal): Shares the formula of blessing God's name 'from this time forth and for evermore' parallel to Neh.9:5's 'מן־ העולם עד־ העולם' (from everlasting to everlasting).
- 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 (structural): Davidic liturgy led by Levites/priestly singers that combines calls to praise, blessing of God's name, and the refrain 'Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever'—a close liturgical parallel in form and content to Neh.9:5.
- Ezra 3:11 (thematic): Return-from-exile worship scene where priests and Levites lead the people in praising and giving thanks to the LORD—comparable context of communal, led liturgical blessing in Neh.9:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Levites, Jeshua and Kadmiel, the sons of Hoshaviah, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Bani, and Pethahiah, said, "Rise; bless the LORD your God, from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, exalted above all blessing and praise."
- And the Levites said, Jeshua and Kadmiel, the sons of Hashabania, Sherebiah, Hodaviah, Shebaniah, Pethahiah: "Rise up, bless the LORD your God, from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, exalted above all blessing and praise!"
Neh.9.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לבדך: ADV,2,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- צבאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- מחיה: VERB,piel,ptc,ms,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כלם: PRON,3,m,pl
- וצבא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- משתחוים: VERB,hitpael,ptc,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 1:1 (structural): Foundational creation statement—God as maker of the heavens and the earth, paralleling Neh 9:6's affirmation that the LORD alone made the heavens, the earth and all that is in them.
- Psalm 33:6-9 (verbal): Speaks of the heavens and their host being made by the word of the LORD and his breath—closely echoes Neh 9:6's language about God creating the heavens and the heavenly host and sustaining life.
- Isaiah 44:24 (verbal): God's self-identification as the LORD who alone formed and stretched out the heavens—parallels Neh 9:6's emphasis on God's sole agency in creation ('you alone are the LORD; you made...').
- Acts 17:24-25 (thematic): Paul's proclamation that God made the world and gives life to all—reflects Neh 9:6's themes of divine creation, providence, and that God gives life to all creatures.
- Psalm 148:1-5 (thematic): Calls the heavens and their host to praise the LORD because he commanded and they were created—connects to Neh 9:6's note that the host of heaven worships God in recognition of his creative work.
Alternative generated candidates
- You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens—the heavens of heavens—and all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; you give life to all, and the host of heaven bows to you.
- You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens—the heaven of heavens—and all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them, and the host of heaven worships you.
Neh.9.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בחרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- באברם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והוצאתו: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg,3,m,sg(obj)
- מאור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כשדים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ושמת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 11:31 (verbal): Mentions Abram (Abram/Avram) leaving Ur of the Chaldeans—same origin and movement referenced in Neh.9.7.
- Genesis 15:7 (verbal): God reminds Abram that he brought him out of 'Ur of the Chaldeans'—an explicit divine claim parallel to Neh.9.7's wording.
- Genesis 17:5 (verbal): Records God renaming Abram as Abraham—directly parallels Neh.9.7's statement that God 'gave him the name Abraham.'
- Acts 7:2-4 (quotation): Stephen's speech recounts God's call to Abram and his departure from Mesopotamia/Ur—an early retelling of the same foundational event cited in Neh.9.7.
- Hebrews 11:8-9 (thematic): Highlights Abraham's faith in leaving his homeland at God's call—theologically echoes Neh.9.7's emphasis on God's choice and deliverance of Abram.
Alternative generated candidates
- You are the LORD God who chose Abram, brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, and named him Abraham.
- You are the LORD God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham.
Neh.9.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ומצאת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- לבבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- נאמן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- וכרות: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- הברית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- החתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והפרזי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והיבוסי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והגרגשי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- לזרעו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,suffix-3ms
- ותקם: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- דבריך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- כי: CONJ
- צדיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 17:7-8 (verbal): God establishes an everlasting covenant with Abraham to give the land to his descendants—directly parallels Neh.9:8's reference to making a covenant to give the Canaanite lands to his seed.
- Genesis 18:19 (thematic): God's statement that he has chosen Abraham because he will command his household to follow the way of the LORD echoes Neh.9:8's claim that Abraham's heart was found faithful before God.
- Genesis 15:18 (thematic): The covenant in which the LORD assigns the land to Abraham's offspring (with territorial boundaries) corresponds to Nehemiah's summary of God giving the land of the Canaanites to Abraham's seed.
- Psalm 105:8-11 (verbal): A liturgical recounting of God's covenant with Abraham and the gift of the land to his descendants, echoing the language and theological emphasis of Neh.9:8.
- Acts 7:5-8 (allusion): Stephen's retelling of God's promise to give the land to Abraham's offspring recalls the same covenantal promise Nehemiah cites, showing continuity in Jewish and early Christian proclamation.
Alternative generated candidates
- You found his heart faithful before you and made with him a covenant to give to his offspring the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite; you fulfilled your promise, for you are righteous.
- You found his heart faithful before you and made a covenant with him to give to his offspring the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite; and you established your words, for you are righteous.
Neh.9.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עני: ADJ,m,sg
- אבתינו: NOUN,m,pl,suff:1pl
- במצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- זעקתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- שמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ים: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- סוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 3:7 (verbal): God says He has seen the affliction of His people in Egypt, has heard their cry, and knows their sufferings—closely mirrors Neh 9:9's wording and theme.
- Exodus 2:24-25 (verbal): Reports that God heard the groaning of the Israelites, remembered His covenant, and was concerned for them—parallels Neh 9:9's emphasis on God hearing Israel's cry in Egypt.
- Psalm 106:44-45 (thematic): Recalls that God 'regarded their affliction' and heard their cry, remembering His covenant and delivering them—an explicit liturgical retelling of the same event found in Neh 9:9.
- Acts 7:34 (quotation): Stephen cites God's words 'I have surely seen the oppression of my people which was in Egypt, and have heard their groaning' (cf. Exod 3:7), echoing the same tradition of God hearing Israel's cries as in Neh 9:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry by the Red Sea.
- You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea.
Neh.9.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- אתת: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ומפתים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בפרעה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- עם: PREP
- ארצו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,ms
- כי: CONJ
- ידעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- הזידו: VERB,hithpael,perf,3,m,pl
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ותעש: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- כהיום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 7:3-5 (verbal): God declares he will multiply his 'signs and wonders' in the land of Egypt and harden Pharaoh—language and action closely mirror Neh 9:10's 'You gave signs and wonders' against Egypt.
- Exodus 9:16 (allusion): God says he raised up Pharaoh 'that my name might be declared in all the earth,' paralleling Neh 9:10's statement that God 'made a name for Yourself' through the signs.
- Exodus 10:2 (thematic): God's signs among the Egyptians are said to be for remembrance and instruction to later generations—echoes Neh 9's retrospective recounting of signs and their purpose (to make God's name known).
- Psalm 78:43-51 (thematic): A communal retelling of the plagues and wonders in Egypt; thematically parallels Neh 9's covenantal historical recital of God's signs and deliverance.
- Psalm 136:10-12 (verbal): The thanksgiving refrain recounts how God 'struck Egypt through their firstborn' and 'brought Israel out'—a liturgical echo of the plagues and deliverance invoked in Neh 9:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- You gave signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew they had acted insolently toward them; you made a name for yourself, as is this day.
- You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, over all his servants and over all the people of his land; for you knew that they acted insolently against them, and you made a name for yourself, as this day.
Neh.9.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והים: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- בקעת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ויעברו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בתוך: PREP
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- ביבשה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- רדפיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- השלכת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- במצולת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כמו: PREP
- אבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- במים: PREP
- עזים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 14:21-28 (quotation): The original account of God dividing the sea so Israel crossed on dry ground and the Egyptian pursuers were drowned—Nehemiah is retelling this deliverance.
- Psalm 78:12-13 (verbal): Psalms recounts God’s miracle at the sea using similar language of dividing the waters and leading Israel through while defeating their foes.
- Psalm 106:9 (thematic): Speaks of God rebuking the Red Sea, making it dry so Israel passed through—echoed in Nehemiah’s confession of God’s saving acts.
- Isaiah 63:11-12 (allusion): Isaiah remembers the Lord’s mighty act of leading the people through the sea and striking down their enemies, alluding to the same Exodus deliverance Nehemiah cites.
- 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 (structural): Paul references Israel’s passing through the sea as a formative event (typological/baptismal imagery) in his argument—drawing on the same historical tradition Nehemiah retells.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sea divided before them, and they passed through the sea on dry ground; you hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into mighty waters.
- You divided the sea before them so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry ground, and you cast their pursuers into the depths like a stone into mighty waters.
Neh.9.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ובעמוד: CONJ+PREP,NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ענן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנחיתם: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,pl
- יומם: ADV
- ובעמוד: CONJ+PREP,NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להאיר: PREP+VERB,hiphil,inf
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הדרך: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ילכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 13:21-22 (verbal): Describes God guiding Israel with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night—closest Mosaic source for the image echoed in Nehemiah.
- Numbers 9:15-23 (structural): Narrates the same phenomenon (cloud by day, fire by night) as the visible sign that determined the Israelites' encampments and journeys.
- Deuteronomy 1:33 (verbal): Refers to God leading Israel 'as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night,' directly recalling the Exodus guidance language.
- Psalm 78:14-15 (thematic): The psalm recounts God's guidance in the wilderness 'by a cloud by day' and 'a light of fire by night,' using the same imagery to retell the Exodus.
- Psalm 105:39 (thematic): Speaks of God spreading a cloud as a covering and providing fire to give light by night—another poetic retelling of the cloud-and-fire motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- You led them by a pillar of cloud by day and by a pillar of fire by night to give them light as they walked.
- By a pillar of cloud you led them by day, and by a pillar of fire by night to give them light on the way they were to go.
Neh.9.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- סיני: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ירדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ודבר: VERB,qal,fut,3,m,sg
- עמהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- משמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ותתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- משפטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ישרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ותורות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חקים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומצות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- טובים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 19:20 (structural): Same Sinai event—God descends on Mount Sinai to meet Israel and initiate revelation to Moses.
- Exodus 20:1-17 (verbal): God speaks the commandments (the Decalogue); parallels Neh.9:13’s reference to giving judgments, laws, statutes and commandments.
- Deuteronomy 4:10-13 (verbal): Recalls God speaking at Horeb/Sinai and giving statutes and ordinances; language echoes Nehemiah’s wording about laws and commands.
- Deuteronomy 5:4-5 (allusion): ‘The LORD spoke with you face to face at the mount’—a close thematic/allusive parallel to God’s direct speech from Sinai in Neh.9:13.
- Psalm 147:19-20 (thematic): Affirms that God declares his statutes and ordinances to Israel, echoing the list of laws and commandments given at Sinai.
Alternative generated candidates
- You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke to them from heaven; you gave them true ordinances, righteous laws, and good statutes and commandments.
- You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them righteous ordinances and true laws, statutes and commandments.
Neh.9.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- שבת: VERB,qal,inf
- קדשך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,ms
- הודעת: VERB,hiph,perf,2,f,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ומצוות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- וחקים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ותורה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- צוית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
Parallels
- Exodus 20:8 (verbal): The Sabbath command (“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”) corresponds directly to Neh 9:14’s reference to God making known His holy Sabbath.
- Deuteronomy 5:12 (verbal): The Deuteronomic restatement of the Sabbath command parallels Neh 9:14’s emphasis on the Sabbath as a commanded ordinance for Israel.
- Exodus 31:13-17 (thematic): God describes the Sabbath as a sign and underscores statutes and covenant observance—echoing Neh 9:14’s linkage of the Sabbath with statutes, judgments, and the law given through Moses.
- Psalm 147:19-20 (verbal): This psalm speaks of God declaring His statutes and rules to Jacob/Israel—language that parallels Neh 9:14’s description of commandments, ordinances, and the law entrusted to Moses.
- Psalm 78:5-7 (thematic): Psalm 78 recounts God establishing statutes and a law for Israel and transmitting them to the next generation, reflecting Neh 9:14’s theme of God giving commandments and a law through Moses for Israel’s instruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- You made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them statutes, ordinances, and a law through your servant Moses.
- You made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments, statutes, and a law by the hand of Moses your servant.
Neh.9.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ולחם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נתתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לרעבם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+PRON,3,pl
- ומים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מסלע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוצאת: VERB,hiphil,perf,2,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לצמאם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+PRON,3,pl
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- לרשת: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נשאת: PTCP,qal,ptcp,f,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 16:4 (allusion): God promises to provide bread from heaven (manna) for the Israelites in the wilderness—directly parallels Neh.9.15's 'bread from heaven' provision.
- Exodus 17:6 (allusion): God instructs Moses to strike the rock so that water will come out, paralleling Neh.9.15's reference to bringing forth water from the rock for their thirst.
- Numbers 20:11 (thematic): Moses strikes the rock at Meribah and water flows for the people—a concrete episode of 'water from the rock' echoed in Neh.9.15.
- Deuteronomy 8:3 (verbal): Speaks of God giving manna to humble and test Israel and sustain life—verbal and thematic resonance with 'bread from heaven' and divine provision in Neh.9.15.
- Psalm 105:40-41 (thematic): Poetic retelling of God providing manna and opening the rock for water during the Exodus, echoing the same imagery and theological point in Neh.9.15.
Alternative generated candidates
- You gave them bread from heaven to satisfy their hunger and brought water from the rock to quench their thirst; you told them to go in and possess the land you had sworn to give them.
- You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought forth water from the rock for their thirst, and you commanded them to go in and possess the land that you had sworn to give them.
Neh.9.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והם: CONJ+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואבתינו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+1,pl
- הזידו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויקשו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ערפם: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ולא: CONJ
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- מצותיך: NOUN,f,pl,cons,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 32:9 (verbal): God describes Israel as a "stiff-necked" people who will not listen—language and idea closely parallel Neh. 9:16's "hardened their neck" and refusal to hear God's commands.
- Deuteronomy 9:6 (verbal): Moses calls the people "stiff-necked" and warns they have been disobedient—directly echoes the charge that the ancestors were obstinate and would not obey commandments.
- Psalm 95:8-11 (thematic): Warns against hardening the heart as the generation in the wilderness did; thematically parallels Neh. 9:16's indictment of ancestral stubbornness and refusal to heed God.
- Ezekiel 2:3-4 (allusion): Ezekiel is sent to a "rebellious" and "stubborn/impudent" house—the prophet's characterization of Israel's obstinacy resonates with Neh. 9:16's depiction of hardened, disobedient ancestors.
- Acts 7:51 (verbal): Stephen calls his audience "stiff-necked" and resistant to the Holy Spirit, echoing the biblical trope of Israel's stubborn refusal to listen to God's messengers found in Neh. 9:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet they and our fathers were stubborn and hardened their necks and would not obey your commandments.
- But they and our fathers acted proudly and stiffened their necks, and would not obey your commandments.
Neh.9.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וימאנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לשמע: INF,qal,infc
- ולא: CONJ
- זכרו: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,pl
- נפלאתיך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עמהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויקשו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ערפם: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ויתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשוב: INF,qal
- לעבדתם: INF,qal,cstr,pr3mp
- במרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- אלוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סליחות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- חנון: ADJ,m,sg
- ורחום: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- ארך: ADJ,m,sg
- אפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ורב: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- חסד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- עזבתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 34:6 (verbal): Nearly identical catalogue of divine attributes—'merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love'—which Neh. 9 draws upon.
- Numbers 14:18 (verbal): Uses the same language about God being slow to anger and abundant in steadfast love who forgives iniquity, set against Israel's rebellion.
- Psalm 86:15 (verbal): A prayer that repeats the description 'merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,' echoing Neh. 9's praise of God's character.
- Psalm 78:32-38 (thematic): Narrative of Israel's refusal to remember God's works, hardening of heart and repeated sin, contrasted with God's compassion—parallels the confession in Neh. 9.
- Joel 2:13 (verbal): Calls for repentance and invokes the same divine attributes ('merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love'), language Neh. 9 uses to describe God's readiness to pardon.
Alternative generated candidates
- They refused to listen and forgot the wonders you did among them; they hardened their necks and set a leader to return them to bondage. But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and you did not forsake them.
- They refused to obey and did not remember your wondrous deeds that you had done among them; they hardened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to bondage. Yet you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love; and you did not forsake them.
Neh.9.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אף: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- עגל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מסכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- העלך: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויעשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- נאצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדלות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 32:1-6 (verbal): The original narrative of the golden calf: the people made an image and said it was the god who brought them out of Egypt — the direct event echoed in Neh 9:18.
- Deuteronomy 9:16-17 (structural): Moses recounts breaking the tablets on seeing the calf; this retelling of the same apostasy situates the calf incident within Israel’s historical pattern of sin and judgment.
- Psalm 106:19-23 (allusion): A liturgical summary that condemns Israel for exchanging God’s glory for a carved image (the calf), explicitly recalling the golden calf episode as a grave offense.
- Acts 7:39-43 (quotation): Stephen’s speech in the New Testament recounts the people making a calf and worshiping it, citing the wilderness rebellion as an example of Israel’s idolatry.
Alternative generated candidates
- They even made for themselves a molded calf and said, 'This is your god who brought you up out of Egypt,' and they committed great abominations.
- Even when they made for themselves a molded calf and said, “This is your god who brought you up out of Egypt,” they committed great blasphemies.
Neh.9.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- ברחמיך: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons+poss2ms
- הרבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- עזבתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- עמוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- סר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מעליהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ביומם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להנחתם: INF+VERB,hiphil,inf+obj3mp
- בהדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- עמוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בלילה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להאיר: PREP+VERB,hiphil,inf
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- הדרך: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ילכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 13:21-22 (verbal): Describes the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that guided Israel in the wilderness—the same guiding imagery and function as Neh. 9:19.
- Numbers 9:15-23 (verbal): Sets out how the cloud covered the tabernacle and signaled when Israel should set out or encamp, paralleling Nehemiah’s reference to the cloud/fire directing their way.
- Psalm 78:14-15 (verbal): Recounts God leading Israel with a cloud by day and a fire by night, echoing the language and theme of divine guidance and care in the wilderness.
- Psalm 105:39 (verbal): Speaks of God spreading a cloud for a covering and giving fire to give light by night—same motifs of protective guidance found in Neh. 9:19.
- Deuteronomy 1:33 (thematic): Refers to God going before Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to show them the way—thematically consistent with Nehemiah’s account of God’s merciful guidance in the wilderness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet in your abundant mercy you did not forsake them in the wilderness; the pillar of cloud did not depart from them by day to lead them on the way, nor the pillar of fire by night to give them light to walk by.
- But in your great mercy you did not abandon them in the wilderness; the pillar of cloud did not depart from them by day to lead them on the way, nor the pillar of fire by night to give them light to walk by.
Neh.9.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ורוחך: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m,sg
- הטובה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- נתת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- להשכילם: INF+VERB,hiph,inf,3,m,pl
- ומנך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- מנעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- מפיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ומים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נתתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לצמאם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 16:4 (verbal): God promises to provide bread from heaven (manna) for the people—direct parallel to Neh 9:20’s reference to not withholding manna from their mouths.
- Numbers 11:25 (verbal): The LORD’s Spirit is given to others (Moses bestows spirit on the elders); parallels Neh 9:20’s note that God gave His good Spirit to instruct them.
- Exodus 17:6 (thematic): God provides water from the rock to satisfy Israel’s thirst—connects with Neh 9:20’s mention of giving water for their thirst.
- Psalm 78:24-25 (allusion): A retelling of God raining down manna and giving food from heaven—echoes Neh 9:20’s summary of manna and divine provision.
- Psalm 105:40-41 (allusion): Speaks of God giving the ‘bread of heaven’ and opening the rock so water flowed—combines the same themes of manna, water, and God’s sustaining Spirit reflected in Neh 9:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- You gave them your good Spirit to instruct them; you did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.
- You gave them your good spirit to instruct them; you did not withhold your manna from their mouth, and you gave them water for their thirst.
Neh.9.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וארבעים: CONJ+NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כלכלתם: VERB,piel,perf,2,m,pl
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- חסרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שלמתיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3mp.poss
- לא: PART_NEG
- בלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ורגליהם: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+3mp.poss
- לא: PART_NEG
- בצקו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 8:4 (verbal): Almost identical wording: Israel’s garments did not wear out and their feet did not swell during the forty years in the wilderness — direct verbal parallel to Neh 9:21.
- Exodus 16:35 (thematic): States that manna was provided for the Israelites for forty years until they entered Canaan, paralleling Nehemiah’s summary of God’s sustenance in the wilderness.
- Psalm 78:23-25 (thematic): A poetic retelling of God’s provision of ‘bread of heaven’ (manna) to sustain Israel in the wilderness, echoing the theme of sustained provision in Neh 9:21.
- Acts 7:36 (allusion): Stephen’s retelling of Israel’s wilderness experience highlights God’s deliverance and sustenance over forty years, alluding to the same forty-year wilderness provision celebrated in Neh 9:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; their clothing did not wear out and their feet did not swell.
- For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; their garments did not wear out and their feet did not swell.
Neh.9.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ממלכות: NOUN,f,pl,cs
- ועממים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ותחלקם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg,obj3,m,pl
- לפאה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויירשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- סיחון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- חשבון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עוג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הבשן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 21:21-35 (verbal): Narrative account of Israel's defeat of Sihon and the seizure of his land, matching Nehemiah's reference to inheriting the land of Sihon.
- Deuteronomy 2:24-37 (thematic): God's command and promise concerning the conquest of Sihon and the distribution of his territory to Israel, paralleling Neh 9:22's theme of God giving nations and lands.
- Deuteronomy 3:1-11 (verbal): Report of the defeat of Og king of Bashan and the taking of his land, corresponding directly to Nehemiah's mention of Og and Bashan.
- Joshua 12:2-4 (structural): A summary list of kings defeated east of the Jordan, including Sihon and Og, which echoes Nehemiah's listing of conquered monarchs and territories.
Alternative generated candidates
- You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted their boundaries; they inherited the land of Sihon, the land of King Heshbon, and the land of Og, king of Bashan.
- You gave them kingdoms and peoples and apportioned them as an inheritance; you put the peoples under their control so that they took possession of the lands of Sihon and of Og, king of Bashan.
Neh.9.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ובניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3mp
- הרבית: VERB,hif,perf,2,m,sg
- כככבי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ותביאם: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,prs3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אמרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לאבתיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,prs3,m,pl
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- לרשת: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Genesis 15:5 (verbal): God tells Abram to look at the stars and promises his offspring will be as numerous—same ‘stars’ imagery used to describe Israel’s multiplication and the covenant promise recounted in Neh. 9:23.
- Genesis 22:17 (verbal): God reiterates the promise to Abraham that his descendants will be multiplied 'as the stars of heaven'—a direct repetition of the covenant language Nehemiah cites about multiplication.
- Genesis 26:4 (verbal): The blessing to Isaac echoes the Abram/Abraham promise that his seed will be numerous 'as the stars of heaven,' showing the same patriarchal covenant motif referenced in Neh. 9:23.
- Jeremiah 33:22 (allusion): A prophetic restatement promising descendants like the stars (and sand), echoing the covenantal multiplication motif and linking the promise to God’s faithfulness to bring heirs into the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- Their children multiplied like the stars of heaven, and you brought them into the land that you had told their fathers to enter and possess.
- You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven and brought them into the land that you had told their fathers to enter and possess.
Neh.9.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הבנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויירשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ותכנע: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הכנענים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ותתנם: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg,suff:3,m,pl
- בידם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- מלכיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ואת: CONJ
- עממי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כרצונם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,poss:3,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 21:43-45 (structural): Summarizes the fulfillment of God's promise that Israel possessed the land and God gave rest to the people by delivering the inhabitants into their hands—closely echoes Neh.9.24 language of entering, possessing, and God subduing the Canaanites.
- Joshua 11:23 (thematic): Records the completion of the conquest and Israel's possession of the land, echoing Neh.9.24's focus on subduing the inhabitants and taking the land as their own.
- Exodus 23:28-31 (verbal): God promises to send hornets and drive out the Canaanite nations before Israel and to give them the land—parallels the motif of God subduing inhabitants and delivering them into Israel's hands.
- Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (thematic): Commands Israel to dispossess the nations of Canaan and recounts God's action in delivering those peoples to Israel, reflecting the dispossession and domination described in Neh.9.24.
- Psalm 105:44-45 (allusion): Praise passage recounting God giving the lands of the nations to Israel and establishing their inheritance—an interpretive retelling of the same act of divine gift and possession described in Neh.9.24.
Alternative generated candidates
- The children came and possessed the land; you subdued the inhabitants before them and gave them into their hands, together with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased.
- So the children went in and possessed the land; you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land and gave them into their hands along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to do with them as they pleased.
Neh.9.25 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וילכדו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ערים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בצרות: ADJ,ptc,pass,f,pl
- ואדמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שמנה: NUM,card,f,pl,abs
- ויירשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מלאים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- כל: DET
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ברות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- חצובים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- כרמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וזיתים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ועץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאכל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וישבעו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- וישמינו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויתעדנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בטובך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 6:10-11 (verbal): Language closely parallels: God brings them into a land with 'houses filled with all good things,' wells and vineyards/olive trees they did not plant — direct lexical and thematic echo.
- Deuteronomy 8:7-10 (thematic): Description of the Promised Land as rich and fertile (vineyards, olive oil, abundance) and the motif 'you shall eat and be satisfied' which matches Neh 9:25's enjoyment of abundance.
- Deuteronomy 11:10-12 (allusion): Another Deuteronomic description of the land's fertility and blessing (good land, rain, abundance) that Nehemiah's confession summons as the background for Israel's settlement and prosperity.
- Joshua 21:43-45 (structural): Narrative parallel: report of the LORD giving Israel the land, taking cities and fertile territory and fulfilling his promises — the conquest/possession pattern echoed in Neh 9:25.
Alternative generated candidates
- They captured fortified cities and a rich land; they inherited houses full of every good thing, cisterns dug in the ground, vineyards, olive groves, and abundant fruit trees; they ate and were satisfied, grew fat, and delighted in your great goodness.
- They captured fortified cities and a fat land, and took possession of houses full of all good things—cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate, were satisfied, grew fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness.
Neh.9.26 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וימרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וימרדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- וישלכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- תורתך: NOUN,f,sg,cons+2ms
- אחרי: PREP
- גום: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- נביאיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- הרגו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- העידו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,pl
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- להשיבם: VERB,hifil,inf,3,m,pl
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ויעשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- נאצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדולת: ADJ,f,sg,cons
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 (verbal): Describes how the LORD’s messengers (prophets) were mocked, despised and slain, provoking God’s wrath—language and theme closely parallel Neh 9:26.
- 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (verbal): Record of Zechariah son of Jehoiada being stoned for speaking God’s word—an example of Israelites killing a prophet as in Neh 9:26.
- Matthew 23:29-37 (allusion): Jesus condemns his hearers for honoring and yet persecuting/killing the prophets and laments Jerusalem’s rejection—echoes the charge in Neh 9:26.
- Luke 11:47-51 (quotation): Jesus accuses the people of building tombs for the prophets their fathers killed (from Abel to Zechariah), directly reflecting the motif of murdering God’s witnesses.
- Acts 7:52 (verbal): Stephen’s indictment that the Jewish forefathers persecuted and killed the prophets—a New Testament reiteration of the same reproach found in Neh 9:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they cast your law behind their backs and killed your prophets who testified against them to turn them back to you; they committed great abominations.
- But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they cast your law behind their backs and killed your prophets who warned them to return to you, and they practiced great blasphemies.
Neh.9.27 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותתנם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- צריהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ויצרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ובעת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- צרתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,pl
- יצעקו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- משמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תשמע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- וכרחמיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הרבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- תתן: VERB,qal,imprf,2,_,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מושיעים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויושיעום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מיד: PREP
- צריהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
Parallels
- Judges 2:16 (verbal): Summarizes the recurrent cycle: the LORD raises up judges/deliverers who save Israel from the hand of their plunderers — language and motif closely parallel Neh 9:27’s 'gave them deliverers'.
- Judges 3:9 (verbal): Explicit instance of the pattern: 'When the Israelites cried out to the LORD, he raised up a deliverer for them' — mirrors Neh 9:27’s sequence of distress, crying out, and God sending rescuers.
- Psalm 106:44-45 (verbal): Retells Israel’s history with the same elements: God hears their cries, is concerned for them, and saves them from their enemies — language and theological emphasis echo Neh 9:27.
- Psalm 107:6 (verbal): A poetic summary: 'Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress' — direct parallel in motif and phrasing to Neh 9:27's deliverance after crying out.
- Deuteronomy 4:30-31 (thematic): Promises that in distress Israel will return, God will hear from heaven and have compassion—a theological antecedent to the pattern described in Neh 9:27 of distress, divine hearing, and merciful deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- You gave them into the hands of their enemies, who oppressed them; in their distress they cried to you, and you heard from heaven, and in your great mercy you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies.
- Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their enemies, who oppressed them; and in the time of their distress they cried to you, and you heard from heaven; in your abundant compassion you gave them deliverers who saved them from the hand of their foes.
Neh.9.28 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וכנוח: CONJ
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ישובו: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,pl
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ותעזבם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- איביהם: NOUN,m,pl,suff_3mp
- וירדו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- וישובו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ויזעקוך: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- משמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תשמע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ותצילם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- כרחמיך: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- רבות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- עתים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Judges 2:11-19 (thematic): Describes the cyclical pattern—Israel does evil after a period of rest, is given into enemies' hands, cries out, and is delivered—matching Neh 9:28's pattern of apostasy, oppression, plea, and rescue.
- Psalm 106:44-46 (verbal): Retells Israel's history with language very similar to Neh 9:28: when they cried out God heard from heaven and often delivered them according to his mercies.
- 1 Kings 8:46-53 (allusion): Solomon's temple-prayer anticipates exile for sin and petitions that if the people repent and pray toward the place, God will hear from heaven and restore them—paralleling Neh 9:28's theme of repentance, divine hearing, and deliverance.
- Deuteronomy 30:1-3 (thematic): Promises that when the people experience discipline and return to the Lord, he will restore them and gather them—echoing Neh 9:28's motif of return, petition, and merciful rescue.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when they had rest they again did evil before you; you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who oppressed them; then they turned back and cried to you, and you heard from heaven and rescued them many times according to your great mercies.
- Yet when they had rest they again did evil before you; and you abandoned them into the hand of their enemies so they could be brought low. Again they cried to you and you heard from heaven and rescued them many times, according to your abundant compassion.
Neh.9.29 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותעד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- להשיבם: VERB,hiphil,inf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- תורתך: NOUN,f,sg,cons+2ms
- והמה: PRON,3,m,pl
- הזידו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- למצותיך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs,2ms
- ובמשפטיך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- חטאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחיה: VERB,qal,juss,2,m,sg
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כתף: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- סוררת: ADJ,f,sg
- וערפם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- הקשו: VERB,piel,perf,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 32:9-10 (verbal): God calls Israel a 'stiff-necked' people after the golden calf; they have 'not listened'—language and idea of stubborn refusal to obey God's commandments closely parallel Neh 9:29.
- Deuteronomy 9:6-7 (verbal): Moses rebukes Israel as a 'stiff-necked' and rebellious people who did not obey God—same motif of stubbornness and disobedience to the law that Neh 9:29 recounts.
- Deuteronomy 31:27 (structural): Moses speaks of 'this rebellious nation' with a 'stubborn and rebellious heart/neck'—a structural parallel emphasizing national recalcitrance against divine instruction.
- 2 Kings 17:14 (thematic): Describes Israel's failure to listen to the LORD and disobedience to his commands, leading to judgment—themewise similar account of persistent sin and refusal to heed God’s statutes in Neh 9:29.
- Jeremiah 7:26 (thematic): God testifies through prophets repeatedly but the people 'did not listen' or incline their ear—parallels the pattern in Neh 9:29 of God attempting to turn them to his law while they persistently refuse.
Alternative generated candidates
- You testified against them to bring them back to your law, but they were presumptuous and would not listen. They disobeyed your commandments and violated your ordinances by which a person is to live; they stiffened their necks and would not heed.
- You admonished them to return to your law, yet they grew stubborn and would not give heed; they sinned against your ordinances, by which a person may live, and turned a stubborn shoulder and hardened their neck and would not listen.
Neh.9.30 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותמשך: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- רבות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- ותעד: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ברוחך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נביאיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- ולא: CONJ
- האזינו: VERB,hiph,imp,2,m,pl
- ותתנם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg+3,m,pl(obj)
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- הארצת: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 (thematic): God repeatedly sent messengers/prophets to Israel, they mocked and refused to listen, and consequently were given into the hand of their enemies (pattern of warning, rejection, and exile).
- Jeremiah 7:25-26 (verbal): Explicit language: from the exodus onward God sent prophets to warn the people but they did not listen, leading to judgment—closely parallels Neh. 9:30’s sequence of sending prophets, non‑hearing, and punishment.
- Ezekiel 3:7 (verbal): God declares the house of Israel obstinately refuses to listen to prophets; the prophet is sent nonetheless—echoes Neh. 9:30’s contrast between prophetic witness by God’s Spirit and the people’s unwillingness to hear.
- Psalm 106:34-43 (thematic): Recounts Israel’s repeated refusal to obey God, idolatry, and subsequent deliverance into the power of their enemies—parallels the cycle of warning, disobedience, and national punishment in Neh. 9:30.
- Acts 7:51-52 (allusion): Stephen accuses his audience of resisting the Holy Spirit and persecuting the prophets whom God sent—New Testament application of the same motif: God’s messengers rejected and God’s purposes frustrated by the people’s unbelief.
Alternative generated candidates
- You bore with them for many years and admonished them by your Spirit through your prophets, yet they would not listen; you handed them over to the peoples of the lands.
- You long bore with them and testified against them by your Spirit through your prophets; yet they would not listen, so you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
Neh.9.31 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וברחמיך: CONJ+PREP,NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הרבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- עשיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כלה: ADV
- ולא: CONJ
- עזבתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אל: NEG
- חנון: ADJ,m,sg
- ורחום: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 34:6 (allusion): God described with the same key attributes—'merciful and gracious'—the foundational proclamation of God's character that Nehemiah invokes.
- Deuteronomy 4:31 (thematic): Affirms that because the LORD is merciful he will not abandon or destroy Israel—parallel theme of divine mercy preventing total rejection.
- Psalm 103:8 (verbal): Uses identical language ('The LORD is merciful and gracious') to summarize God's compassionate nature in the face of human sin.
- Psalm 86:15 (verbal): Directly echoes the description 'gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,' reinforcing the same covenantal mercy cited in Neh 9:31.
Alternative generated candidates
- But in your great mercy you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
- But in your abundant mercy you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
Neh.9.32 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- האל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- הגבור: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והנורא: ADJ,m,sg,def
- שומר: PART,qal,ptcp,3,m,sg
- הברית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והחסד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- ימעט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- התלאה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מצאתנו: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg,obj1pl
- למלכינו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:1cp
- לשרינו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:1cp
- ולכהנינו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:1cp
- ולנביאנו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:1cp
- ולאבתינו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:1cp
- ולכל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- מימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- אשור: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Nehemiah 1:5 (verbal): Nearly identical description and phrasing — God called 'the great and terrible/awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love' at the start of Nehemiah's opening prayer.
- Daniel 9:4 (verbal): Daniel's confession uses the same formula ('O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love'), a close verbal parallel in a communal prayer of confession.
- Deuteronomy 7:9 (thematic): Foundational OT statement that God is faithful, 'keeping covenant and steadfast love' with those who love him — the theological background for Nehemiah's appeal.
- Exodus 34:6 (verbal): Divine self‑description ('The LORD, the LORD... merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love') undergirds Nehemiah's emphasis on God's mercy and covenant‑keeping character.
- Psalm 103:8 (thematic): Affirms God's merciful, gracious, slow‑to‑anger character ('The LORD is merciful and gracious...'), echoing the attributes invoked in Nehemiah's petition.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now, our God, the great, mighty, and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love—do not let your mercy be withheld from us; do not forget all the hardship that has come upon us, upon our kings, our rulers, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until this day.
- Now therefore our God, the great, the mighty, and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, do not let all the hardship—the trouble that has come upon us, our kings, our rulers, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people—be disregarded before you.
Neh.9.33 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- צדיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- הבא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ואנחנו: CONJ+PRON,1,pl
- הרשענו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
Parallels
- Dan.9.14 (verbal): Close verbal parallel — Daniel confesses that the Lord is righteous in all that has come upon Israel and that their sin/ disobedience is the cause (same structure and idea).
- Deut.32.4 (thematic): Deuteronomy praises God's righteousness and faithfulness ('The Rock, his work is perfect; all his ways are justice'), providing the theological basis for admitting God's justice in Israel's suffering.
- Ps.145.17 (verbal): Direct verbal echo — 'The LORD is righteous in all his ways,' mirroring Nehemiah’s assertion of God’s righteousness regarding what has come upon the people.
- Ps.51.4 (thematic): Confessional parallel — the penitential speaker admits personal/communal guilt while affirming God's justice ('you are justified when you speak'), matching Nehemiah’s contrast between God's faithfulness and Israel's wickedness.
Alternative generated candidates
- You are righteous in all that has come upon us; for you have dealt faithfully, but we have acted wickedly.
- For you are righteous concerning all that has come upon us; for you have done right, but we have acted wickedly.
Neh.9.34 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- מלכינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+1,pl
- שרינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,1cp
- כהנינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,1cp
- ואבתינו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+1,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- תורתך: NOUN,f,sg,cons+2ms
- ולא: CONJ
- הקשיבו: VERB,hiphil,imp,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- מצותיך: NOUN,f,pl,cons,2,m,sg
- ולעדותיך: NOUN,f,pl,abs,2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- העידת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 78:10 (verbal): Speaks of the people/fathers not keeping God's covenant or walking in his law, closely matching Neh 9:34's language about leaders and ancestors failing to keep the law.
- Psalm 106:34-43 (thematic): A catalogue of Israel's corporate sins in which leaders and priests fail to keep God's statutes, leading to judgment—paralleling the communal confession against rulers and priests in Neh 9:34.
- Ezekiel 22:26 (verbal): Accuses the priests of violating God's law and profaning holy things, echoing Neh 9:34's specific charge that priests did not do God's law or heed his commandments.
- 2 Kings 17:7-8 (thematic): Describes Israel's failure to keep the commandments of the LORD under their leaders, a historical parallel to Neh 9:34's indictment of kings, princes, and priests.
- 2 Chronicles 36:14-16 (structural): Lists rulers, priests, and people persisting in sin and rejecting God's messengers—structurally similar to Neh 9's communal confession that leaders and fathers disobeyed God's law.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet our kings, our rulers, our priests, and our fathers did not keep your law or pay attention to your commandments and the testimonies you gave them.
- Our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers did not keep your law nor heed your commandments and the warnings you testified against them.
Neh.9.35 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והם: CONJ+PRON,3,m,pl
- במלכותם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ובטובך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- הרב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ובארץ: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- הרחבה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והשמנה: CONJ+ADJ,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- עבדוך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl+PRON,2,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- שבו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- ממעלליהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- הרעים: ADJ,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 8:7-14 (verbal): Describes the 'good and broad' land and abundance God gives and immediately warns Israel not to forget the LORD when they are satisfied—language and theme parallel Neh 9:35.
- Psalm 78:32-37 (thematic): Recounts God's benefactions and Israel's persistent sin and failure to trust or serve him despite prosperity, closely echoing Nehemiah's charge of unfaithfulness amid blessing.
- Psalm 106:13-15 (thematic): Speaks of Israel soon forgetting God's works and rebelling even after God gave them what they asked—parallels the motif of ingratitude and continued evil in Neh 9:35.
- Jeremiah 2:7 (allusion): God reminds Israel that he brought them into 'a plentiful land' yet they 'defiled' it and did not return to him—an analogous complaint to Nehemiah's indictment of unfaithfulness in a given land of plenty.
Alternative generated candidates
- In their rule and in the abundant good you gave them, and in the broad, fertile land you set before them, they did not serve you nor turn from their evil deeds.
- In their kingship and in the abundance and goodness that you gave them, and in the broad and fertile land that you set before them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil deeds.
Neh.9.36 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- אנחנו: PRON,1,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עבדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והארץ: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לאבתינו: NOUN,m,pl,poss,1,pl
- לאכל: INF,qal
- את: PRT,acc
- פריה: NOUN,m,sg+PRON,3,f,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- טובה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- הנה: PART
- אנחנו: PRON,1,pl
- עבדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 106:44-45 (thematic): Describes Israel’s repeated sin, their deliverance into the hands of nations, and God’s dealings—parallels the confession that sin led to subjection and service to others.
- Psalm 78:62-64 (thematic): Speaks of God giving the people over to the rage of the enemy and making them servants/objects of reproach—echoes Nehemiah’s claim that they are now servants in the land given to their fathers.
- Deuteronomy 28:48 (thematic): Warns that if Israel does not serve the LORD they will ‘serve’ their enemies—provides covenantal background for understanding servitude as judgment for covenant failure.
- Jeremiah 25:11 (thematic): Prophesies that the nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years; connects the idea of national subjection as punitive consequence (servitude) for Israel’s unfaithfulness.
- Leviticus 25:23 (allusion): Affirms that the land belongs to God (not ultimately to the people); resonates with Nehemiah’s reference to ‘the land which you gave to our fathers’ and the dependent/subject status of the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, we are slaves this day, and the land that you gave to our fathers to enjoy its fruit and goodness—behold, we are servants in it.
- Behold, we are slaves today, and the land that you gave to our fathers to eat its fruit and its good—behold, we are slaves on it.
Neh.9.37 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותבואתה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- מרבה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- למלכים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- בחטאותינו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,1,pl
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- גויתינו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,1,pl
- משלים: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,pl
- ובבהמתנו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,pl
- כרצונם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ובצרה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- אנחנו: PRON,1,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 106:40-43 (thematic): Confession that God's wrath burned against Israel and He handed them over to the nations/kings because of their sins—parallels Neh.9.37's theme of God giving Israel into the power of foreign rulers as punishment.
- Deuteronomy 28:36, 64 (allusion): Part of the covenant curses: disobedience results in being delivered to foreign kings and scattered among the nations—background legal/theological basis for the fate described in Neh.9.37.
- 2 Chronicles 36:17-20 (structural): Narrates God's judgment by bringing the king of Babylon against Judah and deporting the people for their sins, concretely paralleling Neh.9.37's description of subjection to kings as punishment.
- 2 Kings 24:2-4 (structural): Describes Judah's defeat and subjection to Nebuchadnezzar (being given into the hand of a foreign king)—a historical instance of the fate Neh.9.37 attributes to divine judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Its produce is given to the kings whom you set over us because of our sins; they rule over our bodies and our livestock at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
- Its yield has been paid to the kings whom you set over us because of our sins; they rule over our bodies and our livestock at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
On the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel assembled, fasting, wearing sackcloth, and with dust upon them.
They separated themselves—the people of Israel—from all the peoples of the land, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their ancestors.
They stood in their place and read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day; and for another quarter they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.
Then the Levites rose up on the steps—Jeshua and the sons of Kadmiel, Shebaniah, the sons of Harviah, the sons of Kunnani—and they cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God. And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel and the sons of Hoshbani, Sherebiah and Shebanyah, Pethahiah—said, “Rise, bless the LORD your God, from everlasting to everlasting. Let his glorious name be blessed; exalted above all blessing and praise is his name.”
It is you, O LORD, alone. You made the heavens—the heavens of heavens—and all their host; the earth and all that is on it; the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all, and the host of heaven bows before you.
You are the LORD God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham.
You found his heart faithful before you and cut a covenant with him to give to his offspring the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite; you fulfilled your words, for you are righteous.
You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea.
You made signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they had dealt proudly against them; and you made a name for yourself as this day.
The sea divided before them, and they passed through the sea on dry ground; you cast their pursuers into the depths like a stone into mighty waters.
By a pillar of cloud you led them by day, and by a pillar of fire by night to give them light for the way in which they should go.
You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven; you gave them just ordinances, true laws, statutes and commandments that are right and good.
You made known to them your holy Sabbath, and commanded statutes, laws, and a teaching by the hand of your servant Moses.
You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought forth water from the rock for their thirst; and you told them to go in and possess the land that you had sworn to give them. But they and our fathers acted proudly, hardened their necks, and would not obey your commandments.
They refused to listen and did not remember your wonders that you had done among them; they hardened their necks and appointed a leader to return to bondage. Yet you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and you did not abandon them.
Even after they made for themselves a molded calf and said, ‘This is your god who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and committed great blasphemies,
in your great mercy you did not forsake them in the wilderness: the pillar of cloud did not depart from them by day to lead them on the way, nor the pillar of fire by night to give them light for the way in which they should go.
You gave them your good Spirit to instruct them; you did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.
For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; their garments did not wear out, and their feet did not swell.
You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted them for an inheritance; they took possession of the land of Sihon and the land of King Hesbon and the land of Og, king of Bashan.
You multiplied their children like the stars of heaven and brought them into the land that you had told their fathers to enter and possess. So the children went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land and gave them into their hands along with their kings and peoples, that they might do with them as they pleased.
They captured fortified cities and a fertile land; they inherited houses full of all good things, cisterns, vineyards, oliveyards, and a variety of fruit trees. They ate and were satisfied; they became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness. But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they cast your law behind their backs and killed your prophets who testified to them, bringing them back to you, and they committed great abominations. So you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who oppressed them; in their distress they cried to you, and you heard from heaven; in your abundant mercies you gave them deliverers who saved them from the hand of their enemies.
Yet when they had rest they again did evil before you; so you abandoned them into the hand of their foes, who oppressed them. Then they returned and cried to you, and you heard from heaven and rescued them many times in your great compassion.
You warned them to return to your law, yet they acted proudly and would not obey your commandments; they sinned against your ordinances—those a man might keep—and set their shoulders to resist, stiffened their necks, and would not listen. So you bore with them for many years and admonished them by your Spirit through your prophets; yet they would not listen, and you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. But in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, do not overlook before you all the suffering that has come upon us—our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people—from the days of the kings of Assyria until this day.
You are righteous in all that has come upon us; for you have acted faithfully, but we have acted wickedly.
Our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers did not keep your law; they paid no heed to your commandments and to the testimonies you gave them.
In their rule, and by the great good that you gave them, and in the broad and fertile land that you set before them, they did not serve you and did not turn from their evil deeds.
Behold, we are slaves today, and the land that you gave to our fathers to eat its fruit and its good—behold, we are servants in it.
Its produce goes in abundance to the kings whom you have placed over us because of our sins; they exercise dominion over our bodies and over our cattle at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.