King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
Complete Jewish Bible:
"'But they and our ancestors were arrogant; they stiffened their necks and ignored your mitzvot;
Berean Standard Bible:
But they and our fathers became arrogant and stiff-necked and did not obey Your commandments.
American Standard Version:
But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But they and our fathers{H1} dealt proudly{H2102}, and hardened{H7185} their necks{H6203}, and hearkened{H8085} not to thy commandments{H4687},
Cross-References (KJV):
Nehemiah 9:29
- And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
Psalms 81:11
- But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
Psalms 81:14
- I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
Hebrews 3:15
- While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Romans 2:5
- But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Nehemiah 9:10
- And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as [it is] this day.
Deuteronomy 31:27
- For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?
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Commentary for Nehemiah 9:16
Nehemiah 9:16 is part of a lengthy prayer of confession and praise offered by the Israelites after they had rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah. This verse is situated within a broader historical context where the Israelites are reflecting on their history, acknowledging their sins, and pleading for God's mercy and restoration.
In this particular verse, the people are confessing the disobedience of their ancestors, who are referred to as "they" and "our fathers." The themes highlighted include pride, stubbornness, and willful disobedience to God's commandments. The verse speaks to the hardening of their necks, a metaphor for willful stubbornness and resistance to God's guidance. This reflects a recurring issue in the history of Israel, where the people would often turn away from God, despite His repeated acts of deliverance and provision for them.
The historical context of this verse reaches back to the time of the Exodus and the subsequent periods of the judges and the monarchy. It encapsulates a cycle of sin, where the Israelites would rebel against God, face divine discipline, repent, and then experience God's restoration and mercy. Nehemiah 9:16 specifically addresses the period when the people, despite God's clear instructions and warnings, chose to act pridefully and disregard His commandments, leading to further consequences and alienation from God. This confession is an integral part of the corporate repentance of the post-exilic community, as they seek to learn from the past and commit to a covenant relationship with God, marked by obedience and humility.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H2102
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זוּד
Transliteration: zûwd
Pronunciation: zood
Description: or (by permutation) זִיד; a primitive root; to seethe; figuratively, to be insolent; be proud, deal proudly, presume, (come) presumptuously, sod. - Strong's Number: H7185
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָשָׁה
Transliteration: qâshâh
Pronunciation: kaw-shaw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to be dense, i.e. tough or severe (in various applications); be cruel, be fiercer, make grievous, be ((ask a), be in, have, seem, would) hard(-en, (labour), -ly, thing), be sore, (be, make) stiff(-en, (-necked)). - Strong's Number: H6203
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֹרֶף
Transliteration: ʻôreph
Pronunciation: o-ref'
Description: from עָרַף; the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative); back ((stiff-) neck((-ed). - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H4687
There are 177 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִצְוָה
Transliteration: mitsvâh
Pronunciation: mits-vaw'
Description: from צָוָה; a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law); (which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept.