Nehemiah 9:16

But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,

But they and our fathers {H1} dealt proudly {H2102}, and hardened {H7185} their necks {H6203}, and hearkened {H8085} not to thy commandments {H4687},

"'But they and our ancestors were arrogant; they stiffened their necks and ignored your mitzvot;

But they and our fathers became arrogant and stiff-necked and did not obey Your commandments.

But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to thy commandments,

Commentary

Commentary on Nehemiah 9:16

Nehemiah 9:16 is a poignant verse from a lengthy prayer offered by the Levites during a solemn assembly after the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon. This prayer, recorded in Nehemiah 9, is a profound confession of national sin, recounting God's faithfulness throughout Israel's history juxtaposed with the people's persistent rebellion.

Context

Following the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem and a period of spiritual revival under Ezra's teaching of the Law, the people gathered for fasting and confession (Nehemiah 9:1). The Levites led this prayer, which traces God's gracious acts from creation through the Exodus, wilderness wanderings, and the settlement in the Promised Land. Verse 16 specifically highlights the spiritual failures of the generation that experienced the miraculous deliverance from Egypt, serving as a representative example of Israel's recurring sin pattern throughout their history.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Human Rebellion and Disobedience: The verse sharply contrasts God's unwavering faithfulness (described earlier in the chapter) with the consistent unfaithfulness of His people. It underscores that Israel's struggles were a direct result of their own actions.
  • Pride and Stubbornness: The phrases "dealt proudly" and "hardened their necks" point to the root causes of their disobedience. Pride leads to self-reliance and a refusal to acknowledge God's authority, while a hardened neck signifies stubborn resistance to divine instruction and correction. This attitude prevented them from hearkening to God's commandments.
  • Confession of Generational Sin: The prayer acknowledges that the current generation shares in the sins of their "fathers," demonstrating a corporate understanding of sin and a deep sense of national guilt that necessitated repentance. This collective confession is a powerful example for believers today.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hardened their necks" is a vivid Hebrew idiom (similar to "stiff-necked" in other translations) that graphically describes stubbornness and resistance to authority. It evokes the image of an ox refusing to submit to the yoke, resisting the farmer's direction. This unwillingness to bend or submit to God's will is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often cited as a primary reason for Israel's failures and subsequent judgments. Jeremiah 7:26 and Proverbs 29:1 also use this powerful imagery to describe persistent rebellion.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 9:16 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of pride and stubbornness in our own lives. It prompts self-reflection:

  • Humility and Submission: Are we quick to acknowledge God's authority and submit to His will, or do we exhibit pride and resistance?
  • Obedience: True faith is demonstrated through obedience to God's commandments. This verse reminds us that ignoring divine instructions leads to spiritual hardship.
  • Repentance: The Levites' prayer models sincere confession of sin, recognizing both individual and corporate failings. It encourages us to confront our own spiritual stubbornness and turn back to God with a repentant heart, trusting in His enduring mercy, as highlighted in Nehemiah 9:17.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • Psalms 81:11

    But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

  • Psalms 81:14

    I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

  • Hebrews 3:15

    While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

  • Romans 2:5

    But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

  • Nehemiah 9:10

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 31:27

    For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?
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