Nehemiah 1:5

ΒΆ And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

And said {H559}, I beseech {H577} thee, O LORD {H3068} God {H430} of heaven {H8064}, the great {H1419} and terrible {H3372} God {H410}, that keepeth {H8104} covenant {H1285} and mercy {H2617} for them that love {H157} him and observe {H8104} his commandments {H4687}:

I said, "Please, ADONAI! God of heaven! You great and fearsome God, who keeps his covenant and extends grace to those who love him and observe his mitzvot!

Then I said: β€œO LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,

and said, I beseech thee, O Jehovah, the God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments:

Commentary

Nehemiah 1:5 opens Nehemiah's profound prayer, a cornerstone of his book. Having just received devastating news about the ruined state of Jerusalem and its walls, Nehemiah immediately turns to God, beginning with an invocation that highlights God's character and attributes. This verse sets the tone for his entire plea, grounding his petition in the unshakeable nature of the Almighty.

Context

This verse is the opening line of Nehemiah's heartfelt prayer following the distressing report from Hanani about the broken walls and gates of Jerusalem and the great affliction of its inhabitants (Nehemiah 1:3). Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I of Persia, was living in Susa, far from his homeland. His immediate response to the news was not despair but deep mourning, fasting, and turning to God in prayer. This prayer, spanning Nehemiah 1:5 to 1:11, demonstrates his deep faith and understanding of God's character, even in the face of immense national crisis.

Key Themes

  • God's Majestic Sovereignty: Nehemiah addresses God as "O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God." This acknowledges God's supreme authority over all creation and His fearful majesty. The title "God of heaven" emphasizes His transcendence and His power to intervene in earthly affairs, a concept also seen in Daniel's prayers.
  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness (Covenant and Mercy): The prayer highlights that God "keepeth covenant and mercy." This speaks to God's enduring faithfulness to His promises made to His people, particularly the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. Despite Israel's failures, Nehemiah appeals to God's steadfast love (Hebrew: chesed) and His commitment to His word. This faithfulness is central to God's character, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 7:9.
  • The Condition of Obedience and Love: God's covenant blessings and mercy are extended "for them that love him and observe his commandments." This crucial condition underscores the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship. It is not an unconditional promise regardless of human response, but one where God's blessings flow to those who genuinely love Him and demonstrate that love through obedience to His laws. This principle is deeply rooted in the Torah, especially in books like Deuteronomy.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "great and terrible God" uses the Hebrew word yare (ירא) for "terrible." In this context, yare does not mean horrific or frightening in a negative sense, but rather awe-inspiring, majestic, and deserving of profound reverence and holy fear. It signifies God's overwhelming power and glory that demands respect. "Covenant" is from the Hebrew berith (Χ‘Χ¨Χ™Χͺ), a solemn and binding agreement, while "mercy" comes from chesed (Χ—Χ‘Χ“), which denotes loyal love, steadfast kindness, and faithfulness – a core attribute of God's character.

Practical Application

Nehemiah's prayer offers a powerful model for believers today. It teaches us to:

  • Start with God's Character: Before presenting our needs, we should acknowledge who God is – His greatness, His sovereignty, and His unwavering faithfulness. This elevates our perspective beyond our problems.
  • Appeal to God's Promises: Like Nehemiah, we can remind God (and ourselves) of His past promises and His covenant faithfulness, trusting that He will act according to His character.
  • Connect Love with Obedience: The verse reminds us that true love for God is demonstrated by our desire to keep His commandments. Our obedience is a reflection of our devotion, and it aligns us with the flow of His blessings.
  • Pray with Reverence and Humility: Nehemiah's tone is one of deep respect and humility before a mighty God, yet also with the confidence of a child approaching a loving Father who keeps His word.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 20:6

    And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

  • Daniel 9:4

    ΒΆ And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

  • Daniel 9:19

    O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

  • Deuteronomy 7:21

    Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God [is] among you, a mighty God and terrible.

  • Deuteronomy 7:9

    Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

  • Nehemiah 4:14

    And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, [which is] great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

  • Nehemiah 9:32

    Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.