Nehemiah 1:8

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

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}:

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

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,

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

Context of Nehemiah 1:8

Nehemiah 1:8 is part of Nehemiah's profound prayer of confession and petition offered to God after hearing the devastating news about Jerusalem's broken walls and burned gates (Nehemiah 1:3). Overwhelmed with grief, Nehemiah mourned, fasted, and prayed for days (Nehemiah 1:4). In this specific verse, Nehemiah appeals to God's own words, reminding Him of the covenant made through His servant Moses. This shows Nehemiah's deep understanding of Israel's history and God's faithfulness, even in judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Consequence: The verse highlights the direct link between Israel's transgression and the promised scattering among nations. This was a clear warning given through Moses, and Nehemiah humbly acknowledges its fulfillment as the reason for their current predicament in exile.
  • God's Unchanging Word: Nehemiah reminds God of His own command, emphasizing that God's word is reliable and His warnings are certain. The scattering of the Israelites, a significant event in their history, was not arbitrary but a direct consequence foretold in the Law. This demonstrates God's consistent character.
  • Nehemiah's Prayer Strategy: By recalling God's specific promises and warnings, Nehemiah demonstrates a prayer rooted in scripture. He appeals to God's character and covenant, laying the groundwork for his subsequent request for restoration, which is also part of God's covenant as seen in the very next verse, Nehemiah 1:9.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "If ye transgress" translates a concept in Hebrew that often implies unfaithfulness, treachery, or a profound breaking of a covenant. It's not merely a simple sin, but a deeper act of rebellion against God's established law and relationship. The consequence, "I will scatter you abroad among the nations," directly reflects the curses outlined in the Mosaic covenant, such as those found in Leviticus 26:33 and Deuteronomy 4:27, which prophesied the exile of the Israelites for their disobedience.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 1:8 serves as a powerful reminder of several truths for believers today:

  • The Seriousness of Disobedience: God's warnings about the consequences of sin are real and should be taken seriously. While believers live under grace through Christ, the principle that actions have consequences and that sin grieves God remains true.
  • The Power of Praying Scripture: Nehemiah's prayer teaches us the effectiveness of praying God's own words back to Him. When we appeal to His promises and character revealed in the Bible, our prayers align with His will and demonstrate our faith in His unchanging nature. This approach is evident in other biblical prayers, such as Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9:11.
  • Hope Amidst Judgment: Even in acknowledging the just consequences of sin, Nehemiah holds onto hope, knowing that God's covenant also includes provisions for repentance and restoration. This dual aspect of God's faithfulness provides encouragement and a basis for hope even in difficult circumstances or when facing the consequences of past wrongs.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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:

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