Nehemiah 9:23

Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess [it].

Their children {H1121} also multipliedst {H7235} thou as the stars {H3556} of heaven {H8064}, and broughtest {H935} them into the land {H776}, concerning which thou hadst promised {H559} to their fathers {H1}, that they should go in {H935} to possess {H3423} it.

You made their children as numerous as the countless stars in the sky. "'Then you brought them into the land about which you had said to their fathers that they should go in and take possession of it.

You multiplied their descendants like the stars of heaven and brought them to the land You had told their fathers to enter and possess.

Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land concerning which thou didst say to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.

Context

Nehemiah 9 presents a powerful prayer of confession and remembrance, offered by the Levites during a solemn assembly in Jerusalem after the public reading of the Law (as detailed in Nehemiah 8). This extensive prayer recounts God's faithfulness from creation, through the calling of Abraham, the Exodus from Egypt, the wilderness wanderings, and the ultimate entry into the Promised Land. Verse 23 specifically highlights God's fulfillment of His ancient promises to the patriarchs, emphasizing both the numerical growth of the Israelites and their inheritance of the land.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness and Covenant Keeping: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His word. He made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob centuries earlier, and here, the Levites acknowledge that He brought them to pass. This theme of God's enduring faithfulness is central to the entire prayer of Nehemiah 9.
  • Fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant: The twin promises made to Abraham – a multitudinous offspring and possession of the land – are explicitly referenced here. God multiplied their children "as the stars of heaven," directly echoing the original divine pledge found in Genesis 15:5 and Genesis 22:17.
  • God's Active Providence: The phrase "broughtest them into the land" underscores God's direct involvement in leading Israel and enabling them to inherit their promised inheritance. This was not by chance or human might, but by divine purpose and power.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery "multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven" is a direct and powerful echo of God's covenant promises to Abraham. This language is not just descriptive; it serves as a theological anchor, connecting the post-exilic community in Nehemiah's time back to the foundational promises of their national identity. It emphasizes the vast, countless nature of the descendants God promised, a promise remarkably fulfilled despite periods of slavery and hardship, a testament to God's miraculous power.

Practical Application

  • Trust in God's Promises: Nehemiah 9:23 serves as a profound reminder that God is a promise-keeping God. If He fulfilled His ancient covenants with Israel, we can trust that He will also fulfill His promises to us, whether they pertain to salvation, provision, or His ultimate return. This verse encourages us to place our faith in God's unwavering character.
  • Remembering God's Past Faithfulness: Just as the Levites recounted God's historical faithfulness to strengthen their faith and lead to repentance, we too can draw immense encouragement from remembering how God has acted in the past, both in biblical history and in our own lives. This practice builds resilience and hope in the face of current challenges.
  • God's Generational Blessings: The verse highlights God's blessing across generations. His faithfulness extends not just to individuals but often impacts families and communities through time, demonstrating His enduring love and purpose for His people.
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.

  • Genesis 22:17

    That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

  • Genesis 15:5

    And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

  • Genesis 15:18

    In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

  • Joshua 1:1

    ¶ Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

  • Joshua 1:3

    Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

  • Genesis 17:8

    And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

  • 1 Chronicles 27:23

    But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.

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