Nehemiah 9:7

Thou [art] the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;

Thou art the LORD {H3068} the God {H430}, who didst choose {H977} Abram {H87}, and broughtest him forth {H3318} out of Ur {H218} of the Chaldees {H3778}, and gavest {H7760} him the name {H8034} of Abraham {H85};

"'You are ADONAI, the God who chose Avram, brought him out of Ur-Kasdim and gave him the name of Avraham.

You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram, who brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham.

Thou art Jehovah the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham,

Context of Nehemiah 9:7

Nehemiah 9:7 is part of a profound prayer of confession and praise offered by the Levites during a solemn assembly in Jerusalem. This prayer, recorded in Nehemiah chapter 9, follows the rebuilding of the city walls and the public reading of the Law by Ezra. The Levites recounted the entire history of God's dealings with Israel, from creation through their deliverance from Egypt, the wilderness wanderings, the conquest of Canaan, the period of the judges and kings, and finally their return from exile. This verse specifically marks the beginning of their historical overview, focusing on God's foundational relationship with the patriarch Abraham, highlighting His sovereign choice and faithfulness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Sovereign Choice: The verse emphasizes that God actively and intentionally "didst choose Abram." This highlights God's initiative in establishing a relationship with humanity, not based on human merit but on His divine purpose. It underscores the concept of divine election.
  • Divine Calling and Separation: Abram was called "forth out of Ur of the Chaldees," a highly developed, idolatrous Mesopotamian city. This act signifies God's call to separation from the world and its pagan practices, initiating a new lineage dedicated to Him.
  • Transformation of Identity: The change of Abram's name to Abraham is a pivotal moment, signifying a new identity and purpose given by God. It reflects God's power to redefine and empower individuals for His plans.
  • God's Faithfulness to His Covenant: By recounting this foundational act, the Levites remind themselves and the people of God's unwavering faithfulness to the covenant He made with Abraham, a covenant that would ultimately bless all nations (Genesis 12:3).

Linguistic Insights

The transition from "Abram" to "Abraham" carries significant meaning. The name Abram (אברם) means "exalted father" or "my father is exalted." However, God changed his name to Abraham (אברהם), which means "father of a multitude" or "father of many nations" (Genesis 17:5). This name change was not merely symbolic but a prophetic declaration of God's promise to make him the progenitor of countless descendants, both physical Israel and spiritual believers from all nations.

The phrase "Ur of the Chaldees" points to a specific geographical and cultural context. Ur was a prominent Sumerian city-state, known for its advanced civilization and polytheistic worship, particularly of the moon god Nanna (or Sin). God's call for Abram to leave this familiar, pagan environment underscores the radical nature of his obedience and the distinctiveness of the God who called him.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 9:7 serves as a powerful reminder of God's initiation in salvation history and His personal involvement with individuals. For believers today, it highlights:

  • God's Personal Call: Just as God chose Abram, He continues to choose and call individuals into relationship with Him. This reminds us that our faith journey begins with His divine initiative.
  • The Power of Transformation: God is still in the business of changing lives and identities. He takes us from our "Ur of the Chaldees"—our past, our sinful nature, our old ways—and gives us a new identity and purpose in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
  • Trust in God's Faithfulness: The Levites recounted this history to bolster their faith in God's reliability. Understanding God's past faithfulness, particularly to His foundational covenant with Abraham, gives us confidence that He will remain faithful to His promises to us.
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 11:31

    And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

  • Genesis 17:5

    Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

  • Isaiah 51:2

    Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah [that] bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

  • Acts 7:2

    And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

  • Acts 7:4

    Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.

  • Joshua 24:2

    And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, [even] Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

  • Joshua 24:3

    And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

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