Nehemiah 9:28

KJV

But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest [them] from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;

KJV (with Strong's)

But after they had rest {H5117}, they did {H6213} evil {H7451} again {H7725} before {H6440} thee: therefore leftest {H5800} thou them in the hand {H3027} of their enemies {H341}, so that they had the dominion {H7287} over them: yet when they returned {H7725}, and cried {H2199} unto thee, thou heardest {H8085} them from heaven {H8064}; and many {H7227} times {H6256} didst thou deliver {H5337} them according to thy mercies {H7356};

Complete Jewish Bible

But as soon as they had gotten some relief, they went back to do evil before you. So you left them in the power of their enemies, who came down hard on them. Yet when they returned and cried out to you, you heard from heaven many times and saved them, according to your compassion.

Berean Standard Bible

But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your compassion.

American Standard Version

But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee; therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 9:28 encapsulates Israel's cyclical relationship with God, detailing how periods of divinely granted peace often devolved into renewed disobedience. This apostasy inevitably led to divine discipline, as God permitted their enemies to oppress them. Yet, the verse profoundly highlights God's unwavering character, revealing that whenever His people turned back to Him in desperate cries, He consistently heard them from heaven and delivered them, not based on their merit, but solely out of His abundant mercies.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 9 is a pivotal prayer of confession and worship offered by the Levites during a solemn assembly after the people had reaffirmed their covenant with God following the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This expansive prayer systematically recounts God's faithfulness from creation, through the covenant with Abraham, the Exodus from Egypt, the wilderness wanderings, and the entry into the Promised Land. The prayer acknowledges Israel's persistent rebellion despite God's steadfast provision and patient instruction, as seen in passages like [Nehemiah 9:16-17](/nehemiah/9-16 "Nehemiah 9:16-17 - Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness"). Nehemiah 9:28 specifically transitions to the period after Israel settled in Canaan, summarizing the recurring pattern of disobedience, judgment, and merciful restoration that characterized their history, particularly during the era described in the [Book of Judges](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - The Cycle of Apostasy and Deliverance").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Nehemiah 9:28 is the post-Exilic period, but the verse itself recounts events primarily from the period of the Judges (c. 1375–1050 BC) and the early monarchy. During this time, Israel often struggled to fully dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants and eradicate their idolatrous practices, leading to syncretism and apostasy. The concept of "rest" (נוּחַ, _nuach_) often referred to periods of peace and security granted by God after successful military campaigns or adherence to the covenant, as promised in [Deuteronomy 12:10](/deuteronomy/12-10 "Deuteronomy 12:10 - God's Promise of Rest"). However, Israel frequently exploited this rest for self-indulgence and idolatry, provoking divine judgment. The "hand of their enemies" and "dominion over them" reflect the common ancient Near Eastern practice of vassalage and oppression by stronger nations or local adversaries, which God used as a corrective measure to turn His people back to Him.

* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 9:28 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Nehemiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **Cycle of Sin and Deliverance**, illustrating humanity's inherent propensity to forget God's goodness and stray, even after experiencing profound blessings. This pattern is a central motif throughout the Old Testament, particularly evident in the [Book of Judges](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - The Cycle of Apostasy"). Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Enduring Mercy and Faithfulness** despite Israel's persistent unfaithfulness. The repeated phrase "thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies" emphasizes that God's deliverance was not earned but flowed from His boundless compassion, a truth echoed in [Psalm 103:8](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord's Compassion and Grace"). Finally, it reveals **Divine Discipline as a Path to Repentance**, showing that God's allowing enemies to have "dominion" was not abandonment but a corrective measure designed to humble Israel and lead them back to seeking His face, a concept also found in [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Evil (Hebrew, _hara'a'_):** This term, often translated as "evil," encompasses more than just moral wrongdoing. In the context of Israel's covenant relationship with God, _hara'a'_ frequently denotes active rebellion, idolatry, and a deliberate turning away from God's commands and covenant stipulations. It signifies a profound spiritual and ethical corruption that directly violates the terms of their relationship with Yahweh. The phrase "did evil again" (וַיָּשֻׁבוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת הָרָע, _vayashuvu la'asot hara'_) emphasizes a recurring, intentional reversion to this state of rebellion, indicating a pattern of spiritual amnesia and deliberate disobedience after experiencing God's grace.
* **Cried (Hebrew, _za'aq'_):** The verb _za'aq_ describes a desperate, urgent, and often loud cry for help. It is not merely a complaint but an impassioned plea born out of distress, oppression, or danger. In biblical contexts, _za'aq_ often signifies a turning point where the oppressed acknowledge their helplessness and appeal to God as their only rescuer. This "cry" implies a measure of repentance and a recognition of God's sovereignty and ability to intervene, prompting His compassionate response.
* **Mercies (Hebrew, _rachamim'_):** This powerful plural noun derives from the root _racham_, which relates to the womb, conveying a deep, visceral, motherly compassion or tender affection. When applied to God, _rachamim_ describes His profound pity, boundless compassion, and steadfast love that moves Him to act on behalf of His suffering people, even when they are undeserving. It highlights God's character as inherently gracious and willing to deliver, not based on human merit, but on His own overflowing goodness and covenant faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee:"** This clause sets the stage for the recurring cycle. "Rest" refers to periods of peace and prosperity granted by God, often after He had delivered them from enemies. However, instead of fostering deeper devotion, these periods frequently led to complacency and a return to "evil," meaning spiritual apostasy, idolatry, and disobedience to God's covenant. The phrase "before thee" emphasizes that their sin was a direct affront to God, committed in His sight and against His explicit commands.
* **"therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them:"** This part describes God's divine judgment and corrective discipline. Because of their persistent rebellion, God "left" them, implying a withdrawal of His protective hand, allowing their enemies to gain "dominion" or control over them. This was not abandonment but a purposeful act of discipline, designed to humble Israel and bring them to repentance through the suffering of oppression.
* **"yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest [them] from heaven;"** This clause marks the turning point in the cycle, highlighting God's immediate and compassionate response to repentance. "Returned" (שׁוּב, _shuv_) signifies a turning back to God, often implying repentance. When they "cried unto thee" (זָעַק, _za'aq_), expressing their desperate need and acknowledging God as their only hope, God "heardest them from heaven." This signifies His omnipotence, omnipresence, and active engagement with His people, demonstrating His attentiveness to their pleas.
* **"and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;"** This final clause underscores the consistent and abundant nature of God's deliverance. The phrase "many times" emphasizes the repetitive nature of this divine intervention throughout Israel's history. Crucially, their deliverance was not a reward for their righteousness but was "according to thy mercies" (כְּרַחֲמֶיךָ, _k'rachamecha_), meaning it originated solely from God's profound compassion, pity, and steadfast love, rather than any merit or worthiness on Israel's part.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 9:28 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the **Cyclical Narrative** structure, which vividly portrays Israel's recurring pattern of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance. This cycle is a hallmark of the [Book of Judges](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - The Cycle of Apostasy and Deliverance in Judges"). The verse also utilizes **Contrast** to highlight the stark difference between Israel's unfaithfulness ("did evil again") and God's unwavering faithfulness and mercy ("didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies"). This juxtaposition emphasizes God's character as supremely gracious in the face of human rebellion. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in that the very "rest" God provided, intended for their flourishing, often became the catalyst for their spiritual decline, leading to the loss of that rest through oppression. The structure of the verse itself, moving from Israel's action to God's reaction, then back to Israel's action and God's final, merciful reaction, creates a powerful rhetorical rhythm that reinforces the enduring nature of this divine-human dynamic.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 9:28 encapsulates a foundational theological truth: God's character is defined by unwavering mercy and faithfulness, even in the face of persistent human rebellion. This verse demonstrates the covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people—He holds them accountable for their sin, but His ultimate desire is for their repentance and restoration. The cycle described is not merely historical but reflects a profound theological principle about divine discipline as a means of correction, designed to draw His people back to Himself. It teaches that God's justice is always tempered by His compassion, and His ear is always open to the cries of a repentant heart, regardless of past failures. This enduring mercy serves as the bedrock of hope for all who turn to Him.

* [Judges 2:11-19](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-19 - The Cycle of Apostasy and Deliverance in Judges")
* [Psalm 103:8-11](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8-11 - The Lord's Compassion and Steadfast Love")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Great Mercies and Faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 9:28 offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a stark reminder of humanity's inherent tendency to drift from God, especially during times of comfort and prosperity. Just as Israel, we can become complacent, forget God's past mercies, and slip into patterns of spiritual apathy or outright disobedience. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of vigilant gratitude and humility, recognizing that true "rest" is found not in the absence of struggle, but in constant communion with God. However, it also offers immense hope: even when we fail repeatedly, God's character remains steadfastly merciful. His ear is always open to the genuine cry of a repentant heart. The call to "return" and "cry unto Him" is a perpetual invitation to experience His forgiveness and renewed deliverance, not based on our deserving it, but on His boundless compassion. It encourages us to abandon cycles of sin and despair, embracing the continuous opportunity for restoration that God's unwavering love provides.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you experienced "rest" or blessing from God, and how might that comfort have inadvertently led to spiritual complacency or a "doing evil again"?**
* **What does it mean for you to "cry unto" God in your moments of distress or spiritual failure? How genuine is your repentance when you seek Him?**
* **How does understanding God's "many mercies" (rather than your own merit) impact your confidence in approaching Him after you've sinned?**
* **What practical steps can you take to break any recurring cycles of sin and repentance in your life, moving towards more consistent faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Does Nehemiah 9:28 suggest that God causes suffering to punish His people?**

Answer: Nehemiah 9:28 indicates that God "leftest them in the hand of their enemies," which implies a withdrawal of His protective hand, allowing the natural consequences of their disobedience to unfold. This is not necessarily God directly "causing" suffering in a punitive sense, but rather allowing the chosen path of rebellion to lead to its inevitable outcome—oppression and loss of peace. This divine action serves as a corrective discipline, intended to humble His people and drive them back to repentance, rather than an act of vindictive punishment. It aligns with the biblical principle that God uses various means, including adversity, to refine and redirect His people, as seen in [Proverbs 3:11-12](/proverbs/3-11 "Proverbs 3:11-12 - The Lord's Discipline") and [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God Disciplines His Children"). The ultimate goal is always restoration and a deeper relationship with Him.

**What does "returned, and cried unto thee" imply about repentance?**

Answer: The phrase "returned, and cried unto thee" (וַיָּשֻׁבוּ וַיִּזְעֲקוּ אֵלֶיךָ, _vayashuvu vayiz'aku eilecha_) is highly significant for understanding biblical repentance. "Returned" (_shuv_) literally means to turn back or repent, indicating a change of direction from sin back to God. This is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment of wrongdoing but a decisive reorientation of one's life. Coupled with "cried unto thee" (_za'aq_), which signifies a desperate, urgent plea for help, it implies a genuine, heartfelt acknowledgment of helplessness and a turning to God as the sole source of deliverance. True repentance involves both a turning away from sin and a turning towards God in humble dependence, recognizing His authority and mercy. It's a demonstration of a broken and contrite spirit, which God promises not to despise ([Psalm 51:17](/psalm/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")).

**How does this verse relate to the concept of God's justice?**

Answer: Nehemiah 9:28 beautifully balances God's justice with His mercy. God's justice is evident in His allowing Israel to suffer the consequences of their "evil again." He does not ignore their disobedience; rather, He permits their enemies to have "dominion over them." This demonstrates His righteous governance and the principle that sin has consequences. However, His justice is always intertwined with His profound mercy. The fact that He "heardest them from heaven" and "many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies" shows that His justice is not punitive in a way that precludes restoration. Instead, it is a just discipline aimed at leading to repentance, so that His mercy can be poured out. This dynamic reflects God's desire for reconciliation rather than ultimate condemnation, aligning with His character revealed in passages like [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Compassion and Justice")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 9:28, while recounting Israel's historical cycles, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect deliverance found in Jesus Christ. The repeated pattern of Israel's sin, God's judgment, and His merciful deliverance highlights humanity's desperate need for a permanent solution to the cycle of rebellion. Israel's inability to maintain "rest" and their constant return to "evil" underscores the insufficiency of human effort and the Law to achieve lasting righteousness. This broken covenantal relationship finds its fulfillment in the new covenant established through Christ's atoning sacrifice. Jesus is the ultimate Deliverer, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who broke the cycle of sin and death once and for all. Unlike Israel's temporary deliverances, Christ's work offers eternal "rest" and true peace to all who believe in Him, as promised in [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"). Through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, He bore the judgment for our "evil," allowing God's "mercies" to be extended to us not just "many times," but eternally. Believers are now empowered by the [Holy Spirit](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper") to live in newness of life, no longer enslaved to the cycle of sin, but walking in the freedom and righteousness secured by Christ, as articulated in [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ"). He is the faithful High Priest who intercedes for us, ensuring that God's ear is always open to our cries, not because of our merit, but because we are "accepted in the Beloved" ([Ephesians 1:6](/ephesians/1-6 "Ephesians 1:6 - Accepted in the Beloved")).

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

Judges 5:31

So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but [let] them that love him [be] as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

Judges 6:1

¶ And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

Judges 3:30

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.

Judges 4:1

¶ And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.

1 Kings 8:39

Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, [even] thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

Judges 3:11

And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

Judges 3:12

¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.