Nehemiah 9:17 - and refused to obey. They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Nehemiah 9:17" mean?
Nehemiah 9:17 is a powerful verse that summarizes the persistent rebellion of the Israelites despite God's faithfulness. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"and refused to obey": This highlights the core problem - the Israelites consistently chose to disobey God's commands. They weren't simply ignorant; they actively resisted God's will.
"They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did among them": Despite witnessing God's miraculous interventions and demonstrations of power on their behalf (like the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, manna in the wilderness), they quickly forgot or disregarded these acts of grace. This demonstrates a lack of gratitude and a short-sightedness.
"but hardened their neck": This is a figurative expression meaning they became stubborn, proud, and unyielding. A "stiff neck" is resistant to being led or directed. They refused to submit to God's authority.
"and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage": This alludes to the story in Numbers 14, where the Israelites, after hearing the report from the spies about the Promised Land, became fearful and wanted to choose a leader to take them back to Egypt. This represents a complete rejection of God's plan for freedom and a desire to return to their former state of slavery. It symbolizes choosing the perceived safety of bondage over the challenges of following God.
"But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them.": This is the heart of the verse, emphasizing God's character. Despite their repeated disobedience, God is:
"ready to pardon": Willing to forgive their sins.
"gracious and merciful": Full of undeserved favor and compassion.
"slow to anger": Patient and not quick to punish.
"abundant in loving kindness": Overflowing with steadfast love and faithfulness (often translated as hesed in Hebrew).
"and didn’t forsake them": Even in their rebellion, God did not abandon them completely. He continued to provide for them and offer them opportunities for repentance.
In summary, Nehemiah 9:17 is a poignant reminder of the Israelites' repeated failures and God's remarkable faithfulness. It showcases the contrast between human waywardness and divine grace, highlighting God's willingness to forgive and his unwavering love even when his people turn away from him. It underscores the theme of God's patience and mercy throughout the Old Testament, even amidst human unfaithfulness.
Nehemiah 9:17 - and refused to obey. They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them.
What does "Nehemiah 9:17" mean?
Nehemiah 9:17 is a powerful verse that summarizes the persistent rebellion of the Israelites despite God's faithfulness. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"and refused to obey": This highlights the core problem - the Israelites consistently chose to disobey God's commands. They weren't simply ignorant; they actively resisted God's will.
"They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did among them": Despite witnessing God's miraculous interventions and demonstrations of power on their behalf (like the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, manna in the wilderness), they quickly forgot or disregarded these acts of grace. This demonstrates a lack of gratitude and a short-sightedness.
"but hardened their neck": This is a figurative expression meaning they became stubborn, proud, and unyielding. A "stiff neck" is resistant to being led or directed. They refused to submit to God's authority.
"and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage": This alludes to the story in Numbers 14, where the Israelites, after hearing the report from the spies about the Promised Land, became fearful and wanted to choose a leader to take them back to Egypt. This represents a complete rejection of God's plan for freedom and a desire to return to their former state of slavery. It symbolizes choosing the perceived safety of bondage over the challenges of following God.
"But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them.": This is the heart of the verse, emphasizing God's character. Despite their repeated disobedience, God is:
"ready to pardon": Willing to forgive their sins.
"gracious and merciful": Full of undeserved favor and compassion.
"slow to anger": Patient and not quick to punish.
"abundant in loving kindness": Overflowing with steadfast love and faithfulness (often translated as hesed in Hebrew).
"and didn’t forsake them": Even in their rebellion, God did not abandon them completely. He continued to provide for them and offer them opportunities for repentance.
In summary, Nehemiah 9:17 is a poignant reminder of the Israelites' repeated failures and God's remarkable faithfulness. It showcases the contrast between human waywardness and divine grace, highlighting God's willingness to forgive and his unwavering love even when his people turn away from him. It underscores the theme of God's patience and mercy throughout the Old Testament, even amidst human unfaithfulness.