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.

And testifiedst {H5749} against them, that thou mightest bring them again {H7725} unto thy law {H8451}: yet they dealt proudly {H2102}, and hearkened {H8085} not unto thy commandments {H4687}, but sinned {H2398} against thy judgments {H4941},(which if a man {H120} do {H6213}, he shall live {H2421} in them;) and withdrew {H5414}{H5637} the shoulder {H3802}, and hardened {H7185} their neck {H6203}, and would not hear {H8085}.

You warned them, in order to bring them back to your Torah; yet they were arrogant. They paid no attention to your mitzvot, but sinned against your rulings, which, if a person does them, he will have life through them. However, they stubbornly turned their shoulders, stiffened their necks and refused to hear.

You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They stubbornly shrugged their shoulders; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.

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 thine ordinances (which if a man do, he shall live in them), and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

Commentary on Nehemiah 9:29

Nehemiah 9:29 is part of a magnificent prayer of confession and praise offered by the Levites during the post-exilic restoration in Jerusalem. This verse specifically recounts Israel's long history of rebellion against God, despite His persistent grace and efforts to bring them back into obedience.

Context

This verse is situated within a lengthy historical recounting of God's faithfulness to Israel and Israel's recurring unfaithfulness, beginning with Abraham and continuing through the wilderness wanderings, the conquest of Canaan, and the period of the judges and kings. The Levites' prayer in Nehemiah chapter 9 serves as a profound confession of national sin, acknowledging God's justice in their exile and His mercy in their restoration. Verse 29 highlights the repeated pattern of God sending prophets and warnings, yet the people's proud and stubborn refusal to listen.

Key Themes

  • God's Persistent Grace: Despite Israel's constant rebellion, God repeatedly "testifiedst against them," sending prophets and warnings, demonstrating His unwavering desire for their repentance and return to His law.
  • Human Stubbornness and Pride: The verse vividly describes the people's deep-seated resistance: "they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments." This stubbornness is a recurring motif in Israel's history, leading to severe consequences.
  • The Life-Giving Nature of God's Law: The parenthetical phrase "(which if a man do, he shall live in them;)" directly echoes Leviticus 18:5 and other passages, emphasizing that God's commandments are not burdensome but are designed for human flourishing and true life. Their disobedience was a rejection of life itself.
  • Rebellion Against Divine Authority: The actions described – "withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear" – are powerful metaphors for active and deliberate defiance against God's loving authority and clear instructions.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Dealt proudly": This phrase signifies arrogance and self-sufficiency, a refusal to humble themselves before God's authority or acknowledge their dependence on Him. It suggests an attitude of superiority over God's commands.
  • "Withdrew the shoulder": This is an agricultural metaphor. When an ox "withdraws the shoulder" from the yoke, it refuses to pull its share of the load, indicating stubborn resistance and unwillingness to bear responsibility or submit to direction.
  • "Hardened their neck": Similar to "stiff-necked," this common biblical idiom (seen, for example, in Exodus 32:9) describes resolute stubbornness, an unwillingness to bow or turn, symbolizing an obstinate refusal to obey or repent. It conveys a deep-seated resistance to God's will and counsel.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 9:29 serves as a timeless reminder of the human tendency towards rebellion and the enduring patience of God. For believers today:

  • Acknowledge God's Patience: Just as God patiently "testified" to Israel, He continues to speak to us through His Word, His Spirit, and circumstances. We should be quick to listen and obey, not taking His grace for granted.
  • Guard Against Stubbornness: The "hardened neck" and "withdrawn shoulder" are warnings against spiritual apathy and willful disobedience. Pride can prevent us from hearing God's voice and submitting to His will.
  • Embrace God's Law: Remember that God's commands are for our good, leading to "life." They are not restrictive burdens but pathways to blessing and true freedom, as highlighted in Psalm 119:105.
  • Respond to Correction: God's testimonies against us (conviction of sin, warnings) are acts of love intended to bring us back to Him. A humble heart is quick to repent and return to His way.
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.

  • Nehemiah 9:16

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

  • Leviticus 18:5

    Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I [am] the LORD.

  • Nehemiah 9:26

    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.

  • 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.

  • James 4:6

    But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

  • James 4:10

    Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

  • Hosea 6:5

    Therefore have I hewed [them] by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments [are as] the light [that] goeth forth.

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