Nehemiah 9:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And shewedst {H5414} signs {H226} and wonders {H4159} upon Pharaoh {H6547}, and on all his servants {H5650}, and on all the people {H5971} of his land {H776}: for thou knewest {H3045} that they dealt proudly {H2102} against them. So didst thou get {H6213} thee a name {H8034}, as it is this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his servants and the people of the land; for you knew how arrogantly they treated them; and you won yourself a name which is yours to this day.

Berean Standard Bible

You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day.

American Standard Version

and showedst 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, and didst get thee a name, as it is this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 9:10 stands as a profound declaration within the Levites' great prayer of confession and praise, recalling God's mighty acts of deliverance during the Exodus. It meticulously details how God displayed His sovereign power through extraordinary "signs and wonders" against Pharaoh, his servants, and all the people of Egypt. This divine intervention was a direct, righteous response to their arrogant and oppressive treatment of Israel. Ultimately, these powerful demonstrations served not only to liberate His chosen people but also to profoundly establish and magnify God's own renown, a reputation for unparalleled justice, power, and faithfulness that endured through generations, remaining a foundational truth for the returned exiles "as it is this day."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 9:10 is embedded within a lengthy, historical prayer (Nehemiah 9:5-31) delivered by the Levites during a solemn assembly of repentance and covenant renewal in post-exilic Jerusalem. This prayer functions as a comprehensive theological review of God's unwavering faithfulness to Israel, tracing His redemptive acts from creation and the Abrahamic covenant (Nehemiah 9:6-8), through the pivotal Exodus, the wilderness wandering, the conquest of Canaan, the periods of the judges and kings, and ultimately, their cycles of disobedience, exile, and restoration. Verse 10 specifically harks back to the foundational Exodus event, the paradigmatic act of national liberation. This recounting sets the stage for the subsequent narrative of God's patient provision and enduring patience in the wilderness (Nehemiah 9:11-21), even in the face of Israel's persistent rebellion. The historical review serves to humble the people, magnify God's steadfast love, and prepare them for a renewed, heartfelt commitment to His covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prayer in Nehemiah 9 takes place around 444 BC, during the second phase of the Jewish return from Babylonian exile, roughly a century after the initial return under Zerubbabel. The people had recently completed rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership and had just celebrated the Feast of Booths, rediscovering and publicly reading the Law of Moses (Nehemiah 8). This period was characterized by a profound spiritual awakening and a fervent desire for national purification and adherence to God's covenant. The historical memory of the Exodus was central to Israelite identity, serving as the quintessential paradigm of God's redemptive power and His unique covenant relationship with His people. In the ancient Near East, Pharaoh was not merely a king but considered a divine figure, embodying the power and authority of Egypt's pantheon. God's "signs and wonders" against Pharaoh and his land were, therefore, a direct challenge to, and ultimate triumph over, the dominant deities and imperial might of the ancient world, demonstrating Yahweh's unparalleled and exclusive sovereignty. The concept of "getting a name" was crucial in ancient cultures, signifying the establishment of one's reputation, authority, and enduring legacy, often for generations.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 9:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Nehemiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it unmistakably underscores **God's Sovereign Power and Deliverance**, showcasing His absolute authority over human rulers, natural forces, and even the spiritual powers behind oppressive empires, as vividly demonstrated in the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. This theme offers profound reassurance to the returned exiles that the same God who delivered their ancestors from a mighty empire could surely sustain and protect them in their vulnerable, post-exilic state (compare God's power in [the deliverance at the Red Sea](/exodus/14-30 "Exodus 14:30 - God's Deliverance at the Red Sea")). Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Justice Against Pride and Oppression**, explicitly stating that God acted because He "knewest that they dealt proudly against them." This illustrates God's righteous judgment against arrogance, injustice, and defiance of His will, a principle echoed throughout Scripture, where "pride goes before destruction" ([Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")). Finally, the verse emphasizes **God's Enduring Renown and Self-Revelation**. The ultimate purpose of God's mighty acts was to "get thee a name," establishing His character and power as supreme, unforgettable, and worthy of all worship. This theme of God acting for His own glory is foundational to understanding His entire redemptive plan, as seen in passages like [Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "Exodus 9:16 - God's Power Made Known Through Pharaoh"), where God raises up Pharaoh precisely to demonstrate His power and make His name known.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Signs (Hebrew, _ʾôwth'_):** Derived from a root suggesting appearance or signal, this term refers to a signal, mark, or token, often a miraculous one. In the context of the Exodus, these "signs" (H226) were the extraordinary, supernatural events—the plagues—that served as divine attestations of God's power and presence. They were not random occurrences but purposeful demonstrations designed to compel Pharaoh's submission, reveal Yahweh's supremacy over all Egyptian deities, and validate Moses's divine commission. These signs were unmistakable evidence of God's active intervention in human history.
* **Dealt Proudly (Hebrew, _zûwd'_):** This verb (H2102) signifies to boil up, to seethe, and figuratively, to be insolent, arrogant, or presumptuous. It conveys a sense of inflated self-importance, a hardened heart, and a deliberate defiance against divine authority or the rights of others. Pharaoh's pride was manifested in his repeated refusal to release Israel, his brutal enslavement and treatment of the Israelites, and his blasphemous challenge to Yahweh's authority (cf. [Exodus 5:2](/exodus/5-2 "Exodus 5:2 - Pharaoh's Defiance")). God's actions in Egypt were a direct, righteous response to this profound and persistent arrogance.
* **A Name (Hebrew, _šēm'_):** This primitive word (H8034) denotes an appellation, a mark, or a memorial of individuality. By implication, it encompasses honor, authority, character, renown, and report. In ancient thought, a "name" encapsulated one's essence, reputation, and enduring legacy. Through the Exodus events, God's name, Yahweh, became indelibly associated with unparalleled power, justice, and faithfulness. His acts in Egypt cemented His identity as the living, active God who intervenes decisively in history on behalf of His covenant people. This "name" was not merely a label but a living testimony to His attributes, remembered and proclaimed "as it is this day" by the generations of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land":** This clause powerfully recalls the dramatic, comprehensive, and escalating nature of God's judgment on Egypt. The "signs and wonders" refer specifically to the ten plagues, which escalated in severity and scope, affecting not just Pharaoh himself but his entire court ("all his servants") and the general populace ("all the people of his land"). This highlights the totality and inescapability of God's judgment, demonstrating that no one, from the highest ruler to the common citizen, was exempt from the consequences of Egypt's defiance and oppression.
* **"for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them."**: This explanatory clause provides the divine rationale and moral justification for God's intervention. God's actions were not arbitrary or capricious but a just and righteous response to the Egyptians' arrogant, oppressive, and defiant treatment of the Israelites. The phrase "thou knewest" emphasizes God's omniscient awareness of their hearts, intentions, and actions, particularly their deliberate and persistent pride and cruelty (cf. [Psalm 10:4](/psalm/10-4 "Psalm 10:4 - The Wicked's Arrogance")). This underscores God's character as a righteous judge who sees, understands, and responds to injustice and human arrogance.
* **"So didst thou get thee a name, as [it is] this day."**: This concluding clause declares the ultimate purpose, outcome, and enduring legacy of God's intervention. The deliverance of Israel and the judgment of Egypt served to establish God's reputation, character, and renown ("get thee a name") as the supreme, powerful, and just God. This "name" or renown was not fleeting or forgotten but continued to be acknowledged and celebrated "as it is this day," meaning it was still a living reality and a foundational truth for the post-exilic community. It affirms God's consistent character and the lasting, transformative impact of His redemptive acts throughout history.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 9:10 employs several potent literary devices to enhance its impact and convey its profound theological message. The phrase "signs and wonders" functions as a powerful **Merism**, combining two distinct but complementary concepts to convey the comprehensive idea of extraordinary, miraculous divine intervention. The repeated use of the quantifier "all" ("all his servants," "and on all the people of his land") serves as both **Emphasis** and a form of **Hyperbole**, underscoring the widespread, pervasive, and inescapable nature of God's judgment upon the entirety of Egypt, from top to bottom. The verse also utilizes **Divine Retribution** as a central narrative device, presenting God's actions as a direct, just, and proportional response to human pride and oppression, thereby reinforcing the biblical principle that God actively opposes the proud. Finally, the statement "So didst thou get thee a name" is a clear example of **Metonymy**, where "name" stands for God's entire reputation, character, authority, and enduring fame, highlighting the self-revelatory and glory-centered purpose behind His mighty deeds.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 9:10 profoundly articulates God's active and decisive involvement in human history, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to justice and His ultimate sovereignty. It reveals a God who is not distant or detached but intimately aware of the suffering of His people and the arrogance of their oppressors. The Exodus, as recounted here, is the quintessential act of divine liberation, establishing the pattern for God's future interventions on behalf of the humble and against the proud. This verse teaches that God's actions are always purposeful, ultimately aimed at revealing His glorious character and establishing His renown among all nations. His judgment on Pharaoh was not merely punitive but redemptive, clearing the way for His covenant people to be set apart, to enter into His presence, and to worship Him freely.

* [Exodus 15:11](/exodus/15-11 "Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?")
* [Psalm 78:43](/psalm/78-43 "God's Signs in Egypt")
* [Romans 9:17](/romans/9-17 "God Raises Up Pharaoh for His Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 9:10 serves as a timeless and powerful reminder of God's unchanging character: He is eternally sovereign, perfectly just, and utterly faithful to His covenant promises. For us today, this verse encourages profound trust in God's ability to intervene in seemingly insurmountable situations, whether they be personal struggles, societal injustices, or global crises. Just as He delivered Israel from the overwhelming might of Egypt, He can deliver us from spiritual bondage, oppressive circumstances, or the crushing weight of sin. It also provides a stark and enduring warning against pride, which God consistently opposes and judges. Pharaoh's downfall is a vivid, historical illustration that arrogance, injustice, and defiance of God's will ultimately invite divine judgment. Our appropriate response should be one of deep humility, acknowledging God's supreme authority and diligently seeking to align our lives with His righteous will. Furthermore, the verse reminds us that God acts primarily for His own glory and renown. Our lives, therefore, should be lived in a way that brings honor and renown to His name, reflecting His character, truth, and justice to a world desperately in need of His light. Remembering God's past faithfulness, as the Levites did in their prayer, strengthens our faith and empowers us to proclaim His greatness and trustworthiness today.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life or in the world around me do I need to trust God for a "sign and wonder" of His sovereign deliverance and intervention?**
* **How might pride subtly manifest in my own heart and actions, and what practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper humility before God and others?**
* **Considering that God acts to "get a name," how can my daily actions, words, and choices contribute to God being glorified and His character being made known in the world?**
* **What historical acts of God's faithfulness, both in Scripture and in my own life, can I reflect on more deeply to strengthen my faith in His present and future work?**

### FAQ
**What exactly were the "signs and wonders" mentioned in Nehemiah 9:10?**

Answer: The "signs and wonders" refer specifically and primarily to the ten plagues that God brought upon Egypt, as meticulously detailed in the book of [Exodus, chapters 7-12](/exodus/7-12 "Exodus 7-12 - The Ten Plagues"). These were extraordinary, supernatural demonstrations of God's power over creation, designed to break Pharaoh's hardened will and secure the release of the Israelites from their brutal slavery. They included the transformation of the Nile to blood, swarms of frogs, gnats, and flies, devastating livestock disease, painful boils, destructive hail, locusts, oppressive darkness, and finally, the climactic death of the firstborn. Each plague was a direct challenge to the specific Egyptian deities, proving Yahweh's absolute supremacy over their pantheon. For instance, the plague of darkness challenged Ra, the sun god, while the death of the firstborn targeted Pharaoh himself, who was considered a living god. These events culminated in the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, allowing Israel to escape on dry ground and drowning the pursuing Egyptian army ([Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea")).

**What does it mean that Pharaoh and the Egyptians "dealt proudly" against Israel?**

Answer: To "deal proudly" signifies an attitude of profound arrogance, defiant insolence, and self-exaltation that utterly disregards God's authority and ruthlessly oppresses others. In the context of Nehemiah 9:10, it refers to Pharaoh's hardened heart and his repeated, stubborn refusal to obey God's divine command to let His people go. Pharaoh's pride was glaringly evident in his initial dismissive and blasphemous question, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?" ([Exodus 5:2](/exodus/5-2 "Exodus 5:2 - Pharaoh's Defiance")). This deep-seated pride manifested in the cruel enslavement of the Israelites, the horrific decree to kill their male infants, and his persistent, defiant resistance to God's will despite the escalating and devastating plagues. God's righteous judgment against Egypt was a direct, just, and necessary response to this profound and persistent pride, demonstrating unequivocally that He opposes the arrogant and lifts up the humble.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 9:10, with its powerful portrayal of God's sovereign deliverance and righteous judgment against human pride, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "signs and wonders" performed in Egypt, which liberated Israel from physical bondage, were but shadows and foretastes of the ultimate divine intervention accomplished through Christ. While the Exodus freed a nation from slavery to an earthly empire, Jesus secures liberation from the far greater and more pervasive tyranny of sin, death, and the dominion of darkness. He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose perfect sacrifice atones for sin, thereby fulfilling and transcending the Passover typology. Just as God judged Pharaoh's arrogance with overwhelming power, Jesus, through His crucifixion and glorious resurrection, decisively triumphed over the pride and power of Satan, sin, and death, which had held all humanity captive ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). The Exodus events established God's "name" as a mighty deliverer and righteous judge; in Christ, God's name, His character, and His redemptive purpose are fully and perfectly revealed. Jesus Himself is the ultimate "sign and wonder," demonstrating God's power to heal, forgive, and raise the dead ([John 20:30-31](/john/20-30 "John 20:30 - Purpose of John's Gospel")). Through His finished work on the cross and His resurrection, God "gets a name" that is not merely remembered "as it is this day," but eternally glorified throughout all creation, for He is the one through whom all things are reconciled to God, both in heaven and on earth ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - Christ's Fullness and Reconciliation")).

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

Jeremiah 32:20

Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, [even] unto this day, and in Israel, and among [other] men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;

Daniel 9:15

And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

Isaiah 63:12

That led [them] by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

Exodus 14:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Exodus 14:31

And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

Isaiah 63:14

As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.

Exodus 5:2

And Pharaoh said, Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.