Nehemiah 1:7

KJV

We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.

KJV (with Strong's)

We have dealt very {H2254} corruptly {H2254} against thee, and have not kept {H8104} the commandments {H4687}, nor the statutes {H2706}, nor the judgments {H4941}, which thou commandedst {H6680} thy servant {H5650} Moses {H4872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We have deeply offended you. We haven't observed the mitzvot, laws or rulings you ordered your servant Moshe.

Berean Standard Bible

We have behaved corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that You gave Your servant Moses.

American Standard Version

we have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 1:7 is a profound confession within Nehemiah's intercessory prayer, where he, though personally righteous, fully identifies with the pervasive and destructive sinfulness of the Israelite nation. This verse articulates a deep acknowledgment of their collective failure to uphold the comprehensive divine laws—the commandments, statutes, and judgments—that God had graciously entrusted to them through Moses. It serves as a stark recognition of the spiritual rebellion and covenantal unfaithfulness that directly led to their present state of ruin and exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 1:7 is embedded within Nehemiah's heartfelt prayer of confession and petition, recorded in [Nehemiah 1](/nehemiah/1 "Nehemiah 1 - Nehemiah's Prayer"). This prayer immediately follows Nehemiah receiving devastating news about the desolate state of Jerusalem's walls and gates in [Nehemiah 1:3](/nehemiah/1-3 "Nehemiah 1:3 - The Desolation of Jerusalem"). Overwhelmed with grief, Nehemiah weeps, mourns, fasts, and prays for several days ([Nehemiah 1:4](/nehemiah/1-4 "Nehemiah 1:4 - Nehemiah's Grief and Prayer")). His prayer begins with adoration for God's character ([Nehemiah 1:5](/nehemiah/1-5 "Nehemiah 1:5 - God's Greatness and Covenant Faithfulness")) before transitioning into an extensive corporate confession of sin, of which verse 7 is a central component. This confession sets the spiritual groundwork for his subsequent bold request to King Artaxerxes and his monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. The prayer itself is a literary masterpiece, demonstrating a model of intercession that moves from praise to confession, then to remembrance of God's promises, and finally to specific petition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Nehemiah's prayer is Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, around 445 BC. The Jewish people had suffered decades of exile in Babylon, a consequence of their persistent disobedience to God's covenant. While some exiles had returned to Judah under leaders like Zerubbabel and Ezra, Jerusalem remained vulnerable, its walls broken down and gates burned, a symbol of national disgrace and a constant threat to its inhabitants. This condition was a direct fulfillment of the curses outlined in the Mosaic Law for covenant infidelity (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). Nehemiah, serving as a trusted cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I, was far from Jerusalem, yet deeply connected to his people's plight. His prayer reflects a profound understanding of Israel's covenant history, acknowledging that their suffering was not arbitrary but a just consequence of their collective failure to live by the divine standards given through Moses. The cultural context emphasizes the importance of lineage and corporate identity, where the sins of ancestors could still impact current generations, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 1:7 powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive throughout the book of Nehemiah and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Corporate Confession and Responsibility**. Nehemiah, a righteous individual, identifies himself with the "we" of the nation, demonstrating that sin is not merely individual but can be a collective burden, requiring a shared acknowledgment of guilt. This echoes similar intercessory prayers of corporate confession found in [Daniel 9:5-11](/daniel/9-5 "Daniel 9:5-11 - Daniel's Corporate Confession") and [Ezra 9:6-7](/ezra/9-6 "Ezra 9:6-7 - Ezra's Prayer of Confession"). Secondly, the verse underscores the **Severity of Disobedience and Covenantal Unfaithfulness**. The phrase "dealt very corruptly" emphasizes a deep, pervasive moral decay, not just isolated transgressions. This unfaithfulness to the covenant, established at Sinai, is presented as the root cause of Israel's national distress. Thirdly, the explicit mention of "commandments, statutes, nor the judgments" points to the **Centrality and Authority of God's Law**. The Mosaic Law, given through God's servant Moses, was the foundational guide for Israel's life and relationship with God. Their failure to keep these comprehensive divine decrees—which included moral, civil, and ceremonial laws—constituted a direct breach of their covenant obligations, leading to the predicted curses and ultimately, exile, as vividly warned in [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Corruptly (Hebrew, _šāḥaṯ_):** This verb carries a strong semantic range, encompassing ideas of spoiling, ruining, destroying, or acting corruptly. When applied to moral behavior, as here, it denotes a profound moral depravity and a deliberate act of damaging or destroying the relationship with God through unfaithfulness. It's not merely a mistake or a lapse, but a pervasive, destructive course of action that leads to dire consequences, both for the individual and the nation. The "very" intensifies this, indicating a deep-seated and widespread moral decay.
* **Commandments (Hebrew, _mitzvah_):** Refers to specific divine directives or precepts, often moral or ethical in nature, that God commanded His people to follow. These are direct instructions from God that demand obedience.
* **Statutes (Hebrew, _chuqqah_):** Denotes fixed ordinances, decrees, or regulations, often ceremonial or ritualistic in nature, that were established as a permanent rule or custom. These were unchangeable laws that governed the life and worship of Israel.
* **Judgments (Hebrew, _mishpat_):** Pertains to legal decisions, civil laws, or judicial pronouncements based on divine principles. These were the applications of God's righteousness to practical matters of justice and societal order. Together, these three terms ("commandments, statutes, judgments") form a comprehensive summary of the entire body of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing that Israel's failure was not partial but a wholesale rejection of God's revealed will in all its facets.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We have dealt very corruptly against thee,"**: This opening clause establishes the corporate nature of the confession. Nehemiah, though personally faithful, identifies with the collective sin of his people. The phrase "dealt very corruptly" highlights the extreme and pervasive nature of their moral and spiritual decay, indicating a deliberate and ruinous course of action against God Himself. It signifies a deep breach of covenant relationship.
* **"and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments,"**: This part specifies the nature of their corruption: a comprehensive failure to obey God's Law. The repetition of "nor" emphasizes that their disobedience was not limited to one area but extended to every category of divine instruction—moral precepts, fixed ordinances, and civil laws. This highlights a systematic and widespread rejection of God's revealed will.
* **"which thou commandedst thy servant Moses."**: This concluding phrase grounds the confession in the historical and theological reality of the Mosaic Covenant. It underscores that the laws they failed to keep were not arbitrary human inventions but divine commands, authoritatively given by God through His chosen mediator, Moses. This emphasizes the covenantal nature of their sin, as it was a direct violation of the sacred agreement God had established with Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 1:7 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Corporate Confession**, where Nehemiah, as an individual, deliberately includes himself in the "we" of the nation, taking shared responsibility for the collective sins of Israel across generations. This is not self-accusation for personal transgressions but a profound act of solidarity and intercession, mirroring the identification of a leader with the spiritual state of his people. The verse also utilizes **Legal Language** or **Covenantal Language** through the precise enumeration of "commandments, statutes, nor the judgments." This tripartite phrase is a merism, representing the entirety of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of Israel's covenantal failure. The use of **Anaphora** (repetition of "nor the") further underscores the exhaustive extent of their disobedience, highlighting that no aspect of God's Law was adequately kept. This repetitive structure serves to amplify the gravity and pervasiveness of their unfaithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 1:7 is a cornerstone for understanding the theology of corporate sin and the consequences of covenantal disobedience. It reveals that God's people are held accountable not just individually, but also collectively, for their adherence to His revealed will. The nation's suffering—the broken walls and the exile—is presented not as arbitrary misfortune but as a direct, just consequence of their pervasive failure to keep the Mosaic Law. This verse underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant, even in judgment, as the curses for disobedience were clearly outlined in the Law itself. Furthermore, it highlights the essential role of humble, corporate confession as a prerequisite for divine intervention and restoration, demonstrating that true repentance involves acknowledging the full scope of sin against a holy God.

* [Daniel 9:5](/daniel/9-5 "Daniel 9:5 - Daniel's Prayer of Confession")
* [Psalm 106:6](/psalm/106-6 "Psalm 106:6 - Israel's Collective Sin")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 1:7 offers a timeless blueprint for spiritual introspection and corporate responsibility. In a world often quick to assign blame or minimize sin, Nehemiah's prayer calls us to a profound humility. It teaches us that true repentance begins with an honest, unvarnished acknowledgment of our own sin and, where appropriate, the collective sins of our communities, nations, or even the church. This "we" confession is not about guilt-tripping but about identifying with the brokenness that hinders God's purposes, recognizing that our present circumstances might be linked to past or ongoing disobedience. It compels us to examine our lives and our societies against the unchanging standard of God's Word, understanding that disregard for divine principles inevitably leads to spiritual and societal decay. Just as Nehemiah's confession preceded his courageous action to rebuild, our own spiritual renewal and effective service for God must be rooted in a deep, repentant awareness of our distance from His perfect will. It reminds us that obedience to God's "commandments, statutes, and judgments" is not burdensome legalism but the path to blessing, flourishing, and alignment with His divine design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, as an individual, need to confess corporate sins that affect my community or nation, even if I don't feel personally responsible for all of them?**
* **How does Nehemiah's identification with his people's sin challenge my own tendency to distance myself from collective failures?**
* **What specific "commandments, statutes, or judgments" of God do I, or my community, tend to disregard, and what might be the consequences of that neglect?**
* **How can a deeper understanding of God's Law lead to greater freedom and flourishing, rather than feeling like a burden?**

### FAQ
**What is "corporate sin" and why does Nehemiah confess sins he didn't personally commit?**

Answer: Corporate sin refers to the collective wrongdoing of a group, community, or nation, where the actions or inactions of many contribute to a shared state of rebellion against God or injustice. While individuals are responsible for their personal sins, the Bible also recognizes a corporate identity and accountability, especially within covenant communities like Israel. Nehemiah confesses sins he didn't personally commit because he identifies deeply with his people's covenantal history and current spiritual condition. He recognizes that the present desolation of Jerusalem is a direct consequence of generations of Israel's unfaithfulness to God's Law. His confession is an act of solidarity, intercession, and prophetic identification, acknowledging that he is part of a people who have collectively strayed. This type of confession is a model of leadership, demonstrating humility and a shared burden for the spiritual health of the community, rather than merely pointing fingers. It's a recognition that the "sins of the fathers" can have lingering effects on the "children," requiring a collective turning back to God, as seen in [Lamentations 5:7](/lamentations/5-7 "Lamentations 5:7 - Our Fathers Sinned").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 1:7, with its profound confession of Israel's failure to keep God's commandments, statutes, and judgments, powerfully foreshadows the absolute necessity of Christ. The Law, given through Moses, was intended to reveal God's perfect standard and expose humanity's utter inability to meet it, as stated in [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin"). Israel's consistent failure, culminating in exile and ruin, demonstrates that human effort cannot achieve righteousness or restore a broken relationship with God. Jesus Christ, however, stands as the perfect fulfillment of the Law ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), the only one who perfectly kept every commandment, statute, and judgment. He lived the righteous life that Israel, and indeed all humanity, failed to live. Moreover, on the cross, Jesus bore the corporate sin of humanity, becoming sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), taking upon Himself the curses of the Law that our disobedience incurred ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He offers a new covenant, not written on stone tablets but on hearts, enabling true obedience through the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Thus, Nehemiah's confession of deep corruption finds its ultimate answer and redemption in the perfect obedience and sacrificial love of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 9:5

We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

Daniel 9:6

Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

Daniel 9:11

Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

Daniel 9:13

As [it is] written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.

Psalms 106:6

¶ We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

2 Chronicles 27:2

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.

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.