Nehemiah 1:8

KJV

Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, [If] ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:

KJV (with Strong's)

Remember {H2142}, I beseech thee, the word {H1697} that thou commandedst {H6680} thy servant {H5650} Moses {H4872}, saying {H559}, If ye transgress {H4603}, I will scatter you abroad {H6327} among the nations {H5971}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Remember, please, the word you gave through your servant Moshe, 'If you break faith, I will scatter you among the peoples;

Berean Standard Bible

Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses when You said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,

American Standard Version

Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye trespass, I will scatter you abroad among the peoples:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 1:8 forms a crucial part of Nehemiah's heartfelt prayer, where he humbly acknowledges Israel's national sin and the just fulfillment of God's covenant warnings. Having heard of Jerusalem's desolate state, Nehemiah grounds his confession and subsequent petition in God's immutable word, specifically recalling the Mosaic covenant's promise of scattering for disobedience, thereby laying a theological foundation for his appeal for restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 1:8 is embedded within Nehemiah's profound prayer of confession and intercession (Nehemiah 1:5-11). Following the devastating news of Jerusalem's broken walls and burned gates ([Nehemiah 1:3](/nehemiah/1-3 "Nehemiah 1:3 - The State of Jerusalem")), Nehemiah enters a period of mourning, fasting, and prayer ([Nehemiah 1:4](/nehemiah/1-4 "Nehemiah 1:4 - Nehemiah's Grief and Prayer")). His prayer begins with an invocation of God's greatness and covenant faithfulness ([Nehemiah 1:5](/nehemiah/1-5 "Nehemiah 1:5 - God's Greatness and Covenant Love")), moves into a corporate confession of Israel's widespread sin ([Nehemiah 1:6-7](/nehemiah/1-6 "Nehemiah 1:6-7 - Israel's Disobedience")), and then, in this verse, specifically appeals to God's own words spoken through Moses. This strategic recall of God's past warnings prepares the way for Nehemiah's subsequent appeal to God's promises of gathering and restoration found in the very next verse ([Nehemiah 1:9](/nehemiah/1-9 "Nehemiah 1:9 - God's Promise to Gather")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Nehemiah is set during the post-exilic period, approximately 445 BC, under the reign of Artaxerxes I of Persia. The Jewish people had returned from Babylonian exile, but Jerusalem remained vulnerable and dilapidated, reflecting the lingering consequences of their ancestors' disobedience. The "word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses" refers to the Mosaic covenant, particularly the blessings and curses outlined in books like [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Consequences of Obedience and Disobedience") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). These covenant stipulations clearly warned that persistent transgression would lead to national disaster, including scattering among the nations. The exile was a direct historical fulfillment of these prophecies, a deeply ingrained cultural memory and theological understanding for Nehemiah and his people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes. It underscores the **sovereignty and immutability of God's word**, demonstrating that His warnings are as certain as His promises. It highlights the **consequences of national disobedience**, showing how Israel's historical scattering was not arbitrary but a just outcome of their covenant breaking. Furthermore, it exemplifies **prayer grounded in scripture and covenant theology**, as Nehemiah appeals to God's own revealed character and past declarations. This approach to prayer acknowledges God's justice while simultaneously appealing to His faithfulness, setting the stage for the theme of **restoration within judgment**.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zāḵar_):** This is more than a simple mental recall. In biblical usage, _zāḵar_ often implies a call to action or a renewed commitment based on a past event or promise. When Nehemiah asks God to "remember," he is not suggesting God has forgotten, but rather appealing to God to act in accordance with His covenant character and previously declared word, both in judgment and, implicitly, in the subsequent promise of restoration.
* **Transgress (Hebrew, _māʿal_):** This term signifies more than just a general sin; it denotes an act of unfaithfulness, treachery, or a profound violation of trust, particularly in the context of a covenant or sacred duty. It implies a deliberate breach of faith against God. The use of _māʿal_ here emphasizes the severity of Israel's rebellion against the established relationship with Yahweh, justifying the severe consequences.
* **Scatter (Hebrew, _pûṣ_):** This word describes the act of dispersing, spreading abroad, or breaking up. In the context of divine judgment upon Israel, it refers to their forced exile and dispersion among foreign nations, a direct fulfillment of the covenant curses found in the Law of Moses. It signifies a loss of national identity, unity, and the promised land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying,"**: Nehemiah begins with a humble, earnest plea ("I beseech thee"), directly addressing God. His appeal is not based on his own merit or Israel's righteousness, but entirely on God's own revealed word. By referencing "the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses," Nehemiah anchors his prayer in the foundational covenant given at Sinai, acknowledging God's authority and the binding nature of His declarations. This demonstrates a deep understanding of Israel's theological history and God's consistent character.
* **"[If] ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:"**: This clause is a direct quotation or paraphrase of the covenant curses found in the Pentateuch, such as in [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Scattering Among the Nations") and [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - The Consequences of Disobedience"). Nehemiah acknowledges that Israel's current state of dispersion and subjugation is a direct, just, and predicted consequence of their collective "transgression" – their persistent unfaithfulness and rebellion against God's commands. This confession is crucial; it admits guilt and validates God's righteous judgment, paving the way for an appeal to God's mercy within the same covenant framework.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 1:8 employs several potent literary devices. **Allusion** is central, as the verse directly references the well-known covenant curses from the Mosaic Law, immediately evoking the historical and theological weight of Israel's relationship with God. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's consistent character and the consequences of disobedience. The verse also functions as a profound act of **confession**, not just of personal sin, but of the collective, generational "transgression" of the nation. Nehemiah's prayer is a **rhetorical appeal** to God's covenant faithfulness, strategically reminding God of His own words to lay the groundwork for a subsequent plea for restoration based on other covenant promises. The use of direct address ("I beseech thee") imbues the prayer with a sense of urgent, personal humility.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 1:8 profoundly illustrates the immutability of God's word and the serious consequences of covenant disobedience. It teaches that God's warnings are not idle threats but expressions of His righteous character and commitment to His covenant. The scattering of Israel was not an arbitrary act but a direct fulfillment of divine prophecy, underscoring God's justice and His faithfulness even in judgment. This theological truth serves as a vital foundation for understanding God's dealings with humanity: sin has real and often severe consequences, yet God's ultimate purpose remains rooted in His covenant promises, which also include provisions for repentance and restoration. Nehemiah's prayer demonstrates how a deep understanding of God's past actions and words can inform and empower present intercession.

* [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - The Curse of Scattering")
* [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Scattering for Disobedience")
* [Daniel 9:11](/daniel/9-11 "Daniel 9:11 - Daniel's Confession of Transgression")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 1:8 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us of the gravity of sin and disobedience, not just as individual acts but as patterns that can have far-reaching consequences, both personally and corporately. While Christians live under grace, the principle that actions have consequences and that sin grieves God remains profoundly true. Nehemiah's prayer also provides a powerful model for our own intercession: it teaches us the efficacy of praying God's own words back to Him, aligning our petitions with His revealed will and character. When we appeal to God's promises and warnings found in scripture, our prayers are not presumptuous but are rooted in faith in His unchanging nature. This approach cultivates a humble posture, acknowledging our failings while simultaneously clinging to the hope found in God's faithfulness, even amidst the consequences of past wrongs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Nehemiah's acknowledgment of God's justice in judgment inform our understanding of God's character?**
* **In what ways do we, individually or corporately, sometimes "transgress" God's word, and what might be the consequences?**
* **How can we more effectively ground our prayers in specific promises and warnings found in scripture, as Nehemiah did?**

### FAQ
**Why does Nehemiah remind God of His own words, as if God could forget?**

Answer: Nehemiah's reminder is not born out of a belief that God is forgetful. Instead, it serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it demonstrates Nehemiah's deep faith and understanding of God's covenant faithfulness; he knows God's word is immutable. Secondly, it aligns his prayer with God's revealed will, showing that his petition is not based on human desire but on divine precedent. Thirdly, it is a strategic rhetorical device in prayer, appealing to God's character and past declarations as a basis for present action. By recalling the warning of scattering, Nehemiah sets the stage for appealing to the counter-promise of gathering for those who repent, which is found in the very next verse ([Nehemiah 1:9](/nehemiah/1-9 "Nehemiah 1:9 - God's Promise to Gather")).

**What specific "word" is Nehemiah referring to that God commanded Moses?**

Answer: Nehemiah is referring to the curses of the Mosaic covenant, particularly those outlined in [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Consequences of Obedience and Disobedience") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Blessings and Curses"). These passages explicitly warn Israel that if they "transgress" (are unfaithful and disobedient to the covenant), God would "scatter" them among the nations. For example, [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - The Curse of Scattering") states, "And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other." Nehemiah acknowledges that the Babylonian exile and the current desolate state of Jerusalem are direct fulfillments of these ancient, divine warnings.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 1:8, with its stark reminder of Israel's transgression and the resulting scattering, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate solution to humanity's sin problem found in Jesus Christ. The "scattering" was the consequence of broken covenant, a physical manifestation of spiritual alienation from God. Christ, however, came to bear the curse of the law for us, becoming a curse on our behalf so that we might receive the blessing of Abraham ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems from the Curse")). Where Israel failed to keep the covenant and was scattered, Jesus, the true Israel, perfectly obeyed God's commands, even to death on a cross. His atoning sacrifice addresses the root "transgression" that led to the scattering, making possible a new covenant where sins are forgiven and God's people are gathered. He is the Good Shepherd who gathers the scattered sheep, not only from Israel but from all nations, bringing them into one flock under one shepherd ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - One Flock, One Shepherd")). Thus, the judgment of scattering in Nehemiah points forward to the glorious work of Christ, who unites those who were far off and makes them one new humanity, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility through His body ([Ephesians 2:13-16](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13-16 - Unity in Christ")). His resurrection and ascension ensure the ultimate restoration and gathering of God's people, fulfilling the very promises that follow Nehemiah's confession in the Old Testament.

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

Deuteronomy 28:64

And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, [even] wood and stone.

Deuteronomy 4:25

When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt [yourselves], and make a graven image, [or] the likeness of any [thing], and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:

Deuteronomy 4:27

And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.

Leviticus 26:33

And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.

Leviticus 26:46

These [are] the statutes and judgments and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.

1 Kings 9:6

[But] if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments [and] my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:

1 Kings 9:7

Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: