Nehemiah 9:26

KJV

Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

KJV (with Strong's)

Nevertheless they were disobedient {H4784}, and rebelled {H4775} against thee, and cast {H7993} thy law {H8451} behind {H310} their backs {H1458}, and slew {H2026} thy prophets {H5030} which testified {H5749} against them to turn {H7725} them to thee, and they wrought {H6213} great {H1419} provocations {H5007}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Yet they disobeyed and rebelled against you, throwing your Torah behind their backs. They killed your prophets for warning them that they should return to you and committed other gross provocations.

Berean Standard Bible

But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.

American Standard Version

Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their back, and slew thy prophets that testified against them to turn them again unto thee, and they wrought great provocations.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 9:26 is a poignant confession within the Levites' great prayer, articulating Israel's persistent and egregious rebellion against God despite His unfailing faithfulness. It details their active disobedience, their contemptuous rejection of divine law, the heinous act of slaying God's prophets who sought their repentance, and the resulting "great provocations" that justly incurred divine displeasure and judgment. This verse serves as a stark reminder of humanity's propensity for sin and the severe consequences of rejecting God's gracious overtures.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 9:26 is situated within a sweeping historical prayer of confession and worship offered by the Levites during a national assembly of repentance (Nehemiah 9:5-38). This prayer follows the public reading of the Law and the celebration of the Feast of Booths, prompting a deep corporate reflection on Israel's past. The verses immediately preceding Nehemiah 9:26 recount God's miraculous provision and guidance for Israel in the wilderness, His giving of the Law at Sinai, and His patient endurance of their early grumbling. Verse 26 marks a sharp pivot, contrasting God's unwavering goodness with Israel's consistent pattern of rebellion, setting the stage for the confession of the sins that ultimately led to their Babylonian exile. It is part of a litany of historical failures that underscores the justice of God's judgment, while simultaneously highlighting His enduring mercy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prayer in Nehemiah 9 is delivered in the post-exilic period, around 444 BC, after a remnant of Israel has returned from Babylonian captivity to rebuild Jerusalem and its spiritual life. The Levites' recounting of history serves to explain *why* the exile occurred, acknowledging that it was not arbitrary but a just consequence of generations of sin. Culturally, "casting the law behind their backs" was a powerful idiom signifying contemptuous rejection, treating something as worthless. The slaying of prophets was a recurring tragic theme in Israel's history, indicating a deep-seated resistance to God's direct communication and a rejection of His authority. Prophets were considered God's mouthpieces, and their persecution reflected a profound spiritual blindness and stubbornness against divine correction, a pattern that stretched from the wilderness wanderings through the monarchy.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 9:26 encapsulates several crucial themes prevalent throughout the Old Testament and the book of Nehemiah. Firstly, it highlights the **persistent unfaithfulness of Israel** in stark contrast to the **unwavering faithfulness of God**. Despite God's covenant loyalty and abundant provision, Israel repeatedly chose rebellion. Secondly, the verse underscores the **nature of sin as active rebellion against divine authority**, not mere accidental transgression. The phrase "cast thy law behind their backs" vividly portrays a deliberate and scornful rejection of God's revealed will, emphasizing that their disobedience was a conscious choice. Thirdly, it reveals the **tragic rejection of God's messengers**, the prophets, who were sent to call the people to repentance. This act of "slew thy prophets" signifies the ultimate refusal to heed divine warnings, a theme lamented by Jesus in [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem"). Finally, the verse points to the **seriousness of sin and its consequence in provoking divine anger**, leading to just judgment, a concept echoed in passages like [Deuteronomy 32:19-21](/deuteronomy/32-19 "Deuteronomy 32:19-21 - God's Anger at Israel's Provocation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Disobedient (Hebrew, _marah'_):** This verb signifies to be rebellious, obstinate, or to act defiantly. It implies a deliberate and active resistance to authority, rather than a passive failure. In this context, it emphasizes Israel's intentional turning away from God's commands and will, despite knowing what was right. It's a strong term indicating a hardened heart.
* **Cast (Hebrew, _hishlikhu'_):** From the root שָׁלַךְ (_shalak_), meaning "to throw" or "to cast away." When combined with "behind their backs," it forms a powerful idiom for contemptuous rejection. It's not merely forgetting the law, but actively and scornfully discarding it as something worthless, turning one's back on it as a sign of disdain.
* **Provocations (Hebrew, _mikh'asim'_):** This plural noun derives from the root כָּעַס (_ka'as_), meaning "to be vexed, grieved, or angry." "Mikh'asim" therefore refers to actions or behaviors that cause anger, vexation, or indignation, particularly in the divine context. It highlights the severity of Israel's offenses, indicating that their actions deeply offended God's holiness and justly aroused His wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the core issue: Israel's persistent defiance. The "nevertheless" acts as a stark contrast to God's preceding faithfulness and provision, underscoring the inexcusable nature of their rebellion. It speaks to a conscious and active choice to go against God's will.
* **"and cast thy law behind their backs":** This vivid idiom describes a deliberate and contemptuous rejection of God's divine instruction. It implies that they not only ignored the Law but actively turned away from it, treating it as something worthless to be discarded or forgotten. It signifies a profound disregard for God's covenant and His revealed truth.
* **"and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee":** This clause highlights the ultimate act of rebellion: the persecution and murder of God's messengers. The prophets were sent by God with His very words, calling Israel back to repentance and obedience. To kill them was to reject God's direct and merciful appeals, demonstrating a hardened heart and an unwillingness to be reconciled.
* **"and they wrought great provocations":** This concluding phrase summarizes the cumulative effect of their actions. Their disobedience, rejection of the Law, and murder of the prophets were not minor offenses but "great provocations" that intensely angered God. This emphasizes the seriousness of their sin and its just consequence, setting the stage for the subsequent confession of God's righteous judgment in the prayer.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 9:26 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of Israel's sin. **Parallelism** is evident in the opening clauses, "they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee," where two closely related verbs reinforce the idea of active defiance. The phrase "cast thy law behind their backs" functions as a striking **idiom** or **metaphor**, vividly portraying a deliberate and contemptuous rejection of divine authority, far more impactful than simply stating "they disobeyed your law." There is a clear sense of **climax** or **escalation** in the list of offenses: from general disobedience, to rejecting the written Law, to the extreme act of slaying God's direct messengers, the prophets. This progression underscores the increasing severity of Israel's rebellion. Finally, the term "provocations" implies **anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like emotion (anger, vexation) to God, thereby emphasizing the profound offense their actions caused to His holy character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 9:26 serves as a microcosm of Israel's spiritual history, encapsulating the persistent tension between God's unwavering faithfulness and humanity's stubborn rebellion. The theological implication is profound: sin is not merely a breaking of rules, but a personal affront to a holy God, a rejection of His authority and His loving overtures. The slaying of prophets, in particular, underscores the tragic human tendency to silence the voice of truth when it calls for uncomfortable change. Yet, even in this confession of profound sin, the broader context of Nehemiah 9 emphasizes God's enduring patience, mercy, and readiness to forgive, highlighting the paradox of divine justice and grace. This verse reminds us that God's warnings are not arbitrary but are given out of love, seeking to "turn them to thee," and their rejection inevitably leads to "great provocations" and just consequences.

* [Judges 2:11-19](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-19 - Cycles of Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God's Persistent Sending of Prophets")
* [2 Chronicles 36:15-16](/2_chronicles/36-15 "2 Chronicles 36:15-16 - God's Compassion and Israel's Scorn")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 9:26, though a historical confession, resonates deeply with the human condition across all ages. It confronts us with the uncomfortable truth that despite God's abundant grace, provision, and clear guidance, our hearts are prone to rebellion. We, too, can "cast God's law behind our backs" by prioritizing our desires over His commands, by neglecting His Word, or by dismissing the promptings of His Spirit. We might not literally slay prophets, but we can silence the "prophetic" voices in our lives—whether through Scripture, wise counsel, or the conviction of the Holy Spirit—when they challenge our comfort or call us to repentance. This verse is a call to radical self-examination, urging us to identify areas where we are disobedient or rebellious, where we have treated God's truth with contempt, or where our actions have caused "great provocations." It invites us to follow the Levites' example, engaging in honest confession and turning back to the God who, despite our failures, remains merciful and ready to forgive.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to "cast God's law behind my back," choosing my own way over His revealed will?**
* **How do I respond when God's Word or His Spirit challenges my comfortable assumptions or calls me to repentance? Do I embrace or resist it?**
* **What "provocations" might I be causing in my relationship with God or others through my attitudes or actions?**
* **How does understanding Israel's long history of rebellion deepen my appreciation for God's enduring patience and grace in my own life?**

### FAQ
**What does "cast thy law behind their backs" mean?**

Answer: This is a vivid idiom meaning to deliberately and contemptuously reject God's law. It's not merely forgetting or accidentally disobeying; it implies a scornful turning away from divine instruction, treating it as worthless and something to be discarded or ignored with disdain. It signifies a profound disrespect for God's authority and His covenant.

**Why is killing prophets highlighted as such a severe act?**

Answer: Prophets were God's direct messengers, speaking His very words and warnings to His people. To kill a prophet was the ultimate rejection of God's voice and His attempts to call Israel back to Himself. It demonstrated a hardened heart, a refusal to repent, and a profound contempt for God's merciful desire to "turn them to thee." This act represented the pinnacle of their rebellion against divine authority.

**How does this verse relate to the overall prayer in Nehemiah 9?**

Answer: Nehemiah 9:26 is a crucial part of the Levites' sweeping historical confession within the prayer. It serves as the stark counterpoint to the preceding verses, which recount God's boundless faithfulness, miraculous provision, and patient guidance. By detailing Israel's persistent disobedience, rejection of the Law, and murder of the prophets, this verse provides the theological justification for the Babylonian exile and the current state of the people, acknowledging that God's judgment was just. It sets the stage for the concluding plea for God's continued mercy despite their unworthiness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 9:26, with its lament over Israel's rejection of God's law and the slaying of His prophets, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Israel's historical pattern of rebellion culminated in the rejection of God's ultimate Prophet and Son. Jesus Himself grieved over Jerusalem, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee" ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem")), a direct echo of the very sin confessed in Nehemiah 9:26. The crucifixion of Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), was the ultimate act of "slaying the prophet" and the most grievous "provocation" against God's holiness. Yet, in God's divine wisdom, this ultimate act of human rebellion became the means of salvation. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the "great provocations" of humanity are covered, and a new covenant is established where God's law is no longer merely written on tablets to be cast aside, but written on the hearts of believers ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant"); [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")). Jesus, the rejected Prophet, became the triumphant King, offering forgiveness and reconciliation for all who, unlike rebellious Israel, turn to Him in faith.

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

1 Kings 14:9

But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:

Judges 2:11

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:

Judges 2:12

And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

Nehemiah 9:18

Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This [is] thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;

Acts 7:52

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

1 Kings 19:10

And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

1 Kings 18:4

For it was [so], when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)