Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 9:20

Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.

20. thy good spirit ] Referring possibly to Num 11:17 ‘And I will take of the spirit which is upon thee and will put it upon them,’ 23 29, but mainly to the general Divine teaching of the people, cf. Isa 63:11, ‘Where is he that brought them out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he that put his holy spirit in the midst of them?’ For the expression ‘thy good spirit’ cf. Psa 143:10, Marg. ‘Let thy good spirit lead me.’

to instruct ] i.e. to make them understand. For the use of the verb ‘sakal,’ see note on Neh 8:12; cf. Psa 32:8, ‘I will instruct thee and lead thee in the way which thou shalt go.’

thy manna ] The reference here seems to be to Num 11:6-9; that in Neh 9:15 had been to Exo 16:14-36.

Similarly ‘water for their thirst’ refers to the second miraculous gift of water described in Num 20:2-8 (not to Exo 17:3-6).

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Thou gavest also thy good spirit; which thou didst graciously and plentifully impart unto Moses, and then unto the seventy eiders, Num 11:17,25,26, to the end that they might be able to direct and govern thy people wisely, and in thy fear.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them,…. In the knowledge of the laws delivered to them; the spirit of prophecy, according to Ben Melech, and which Aben Ezra interprets of the spirit put upon the seventy elders, Nu 11:17,

and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth; all the while they were in the wilderness, until they came to Canaan’s land; called the Lord’s manna, because prepared by him, and given by him to them; a part or portion and gift from the Lord, as Ben Melech, from whence it had its name, see Ex 16:15

and gavest them water for their thirst; which seems to have respect to the last rock stricken for them, after their many provocations in the wilderness, Nu 20:11.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(20) Thy good spirit.Probably a reference to Num. 11:17; Num. 11:25. The epithet given to the Spirit is in Psa. 143:10. But His teaching function occurs here only, and is a remarkable anticipation of the New Testament.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

Neh 9:20. Thou gavest also thy good spirit This whole chapter, says Mr. Peters, contains a beautiful epitome of the history of the Jews; raised and animated by a spirit of devotion, which appears in all that moving eloquence so well suited to the great occasion; and at the same time, with all that chasteness and correctness of thought and expression, which so eminently distinguishes the sacred writings from the wild raptures of enthusiasm. In recapitulating the miracles of divine goodness vouchsafed to their fathers in the wilderness, the sacred writer adds this, as none of the least memorable of God’s mercies to them there: Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them. See Peters on Job, p. 312.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Neh 9:20 Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.

Ver. 20. Thou gavest also thy good spirit ] viz. To their governors and teachers, Num 11:16-17 ; Num 11:25-26 . Yea, to every good soul, that they might be all taught of God, led into all truth and holiness, Eph 5:9 . For which end God hath promised to pour his Spirit upon all flesh, that is, the best thing upon the basest, Joe 2:28 . Next to the sending of his Son in the flesh (which is called the gift, Joh 4:10 , and the benefit, 1Ti 6:2 ), what can God do more for his people than to give them his good spirit? this is to give them all good things in one, Mat 7:11 Luk 11:13 .

And withheldest not thy manna ] See Neh 9:15 . It is twice mentioned, as a singular and signal mercy. And it is well observed by a reverend writer, that this manna and water from the rock (which was Christ in the gospel) were given this people before the law, the sacraments of grace before the legal covenant. The grace of God preventeth our obedience; therefore shall we keep the law of God, because we have a Saviour.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9. Compare Num 11:16, Num 11:17. Deu 34:9. Psa 143:10, and Neh 9:30 below.

manna. Compare Exo 16:15. Jos 5:12.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

gavest: Neh 9:30, Num 11:17, Num 11:25-29, Isa 63:11-14

good: Psa 143:10, Rom 15:30, Gal 5:22, Gal 5:23, Eph 5:9, 2Pe 1:21

withheldest: Exo 16:15, Exo 16:35, Jos 5:12

gavest: Exo 17:6, Psa 105:41, Isa 41:17, Isa 41:18, Isa 48:21, Isa 49:10, Joh 4:10, Joh 4:14, Joh 7:37-39

Reciprocal: Deu 32:10 – he instructed Neh 9:15 – broughtest Psa 25:5 – teach Psa 78:24 – had rained Psa 105:40 – satisfied Psa 119:124 – teach Hag 2:5 – so Joh 6:31 – fathers 1Co 10:3 – General 1Co 12:8 – is given Phi 4:12 – I am 2Ti 3:16 – for instruction

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Neh 9:20. Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them Which thou didst graciously and plentifully impart, first unto Moses, and then unto the seventy elders, (Num 11:17-26,) to the end that they might be able to direct and govern thy people wisely, and in thy fear.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments