Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 9:17

And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou [art] a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

17. in their rebellion appointed a captain, &c.] Based on Num 14:4, and perhaps representing a tradition that the words ‘And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt’ were partially carried into effect.

The R.V. marg. runs, ‘The Sept. has, And appointed a captain to return to their bondage in Egypt.’ See Num 14:4. The Sept. ( ) read b’mizraim for b’miryam. Another proposed rendering instead of ‘appointed a captain’ is ‘turned their attention,’ or ‘directed their thoughts,’ literally ‘set their head.’

a God ready to pardon ] R.V. marg. ‘Heb. a God of forgivenesses ’. The word for ‘forgivenesses’ is found only in Dan 9:9; Psa 130:4.

merciful ] R.V. full of compassion.

and of great kindness ] R.V. plenteous in mercy.

For these descriptive epithets of Divine mercy cf. Neh 9:31; Exo 33:19; Exo 34:6-7; Psa 86:15; Psa 103:8; Psa 111:4; Psa 145:8; 2Ch 30:9; Joe 2:13; Jon 4:2; Nah 1:3.

forsookest them not ] Cf. Neh 9:31; Ezr 9:9.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

In their rebellion – The Septuagint and several maunscripts have in Egypt (the words in the original differing by one letter only), and translate – And appointed a captain to return to their bondage in Egypt. Compare the margin reference. The appointment of a leader is regarded here as made, whereas we are only told in the Book of Numbers that it was proposed.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Neh 9:17

But Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful.

Divine forgiveness

I. What is necessary to render the subject interesting.

1. A conviction of guilt.

2. An apprehension of our danger as transgressors.

3. A discovery of the privileges of a pardoned state.

II. The proofs which establish the truth of the doctrine.

1. The provision He has made for the exercise of pardon.

2. The promptitude with which He pardons on our return,

3. His earnestness to excite us to seek after the blessing.

4. The character of those who have received pardon.

5. The number of those who obtain forgiveness.

III. The way in which this subject may be abused.

1. When it leads us to deny any disposition in God to punish.

2. When it encourages us to hope for pardon in ways not warranted by the Word of God.

(1) Without a reference to the work of Christ.

(2) Without repentance.

(3) By delaying an application for it to the close of life.

(4) By expecting to find this pardon in another world if we fail to obtain it in this.

IV. Improvment.

1. It should yield encouragement to the brokenhearted.

2. It should afford consolation to those who have believed through grace.

3. The subject demands our admiration and praise.

4. It also calls upon us not only to admire, but to imitate (Eph 4:31-32; Eph 5:1). (W. Jay.)

Pardon of sin

I. The certainty of this readiness to pardon. This may be discerned–

1. In the plans which He devised for its bestowment consistent with His honour as a sovereign, and compatible with His character as a just and moral Ruler.

2. In the repeated assurances and urgent entreaties with regard to the facts which are furnished in His Word.

3. In the efforts He makes to effect it, and so frequently recorded in the pages of history.

II. The conditions of this readiness to pardon.

1. A vivid apprehension of personal guilt.

2. A full consciousness of personal danger.

3. Repentance and faith. (W. S. Edwards.)

The pardon of sin

No attribute of the Deity is so calculated to afford encouragement and relief to the distressed and penitent sinner as that of His mercy. His justice and holiness make him tremble. The Divine mercy is the only fountain from which all our hope is derived. If God were unmerciful–if He were unable and unwilling to forgive, how awful and desperate would be our condition!

I. Some of the distinguishing characteristics of divine pardon. Respecting this blessing, we observe that it is–

1. Gratuitous in its bestowment. Had it not been perfectly free, it would be for ever beyond our reach. As fallen man is altogether destitute of all inherent and acquired righteousness, he can never obtain it on the ground of his own merit. Conscious of his utter unworthiness, and that he was destitute of all merit, the psalmist cried, For Thy names sake, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great. In the forgiveness of sin, God acts like the creditor towards his two debtors; one owes him five hundred pence, and the other fifty; and when they had nothing to pay, he frankly (freely) forgave them both. It is true that there are certain duties which must be discharged by the sinner; he must repent and believe; but these acts can never merit forgiveness. The pardon of the penitent flows from the free and sovereign grace of God, and is conveyed through the channel of the Redeemers atoning blood.

2. Unlimited in its extent. The pardoning mercy of God is not confined to any degrees of guilt or amount of transgression. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases. The pardoning mercy of God extends to the most flagrant transgressions, and transcends all human conception. There is no sin so heinous which God cannot forgive, and no guilt of so deep a hue which He cannot remove.

3. Permanent in its enjoyment.

II. Prove the truth of the declaration. Gods readiness to pardon is manifest–

1. From the provisions made for this purpose. Before sinners could be pardoned and saved, there were certain barriers that must be removed. As God was the supreme Lawgiver and Judge of the world–the Protector of righteousness and goodness–it became Him not to pardon the guilty without the punishing of sin, and that in such a manner as would satisfy His injured justice, and vindicate the honour of His despised law, and at the same time declare His greatest hatred to sin. Had there been no Mediator, the justice and holiness of God would have stood as everlasting obstructions to the exercise of pardoning mercy.

2. The express declarations of Scripture. Listen to the exulting and triumphant language of the prophet Micah: Who is a God like unto our God, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy. See how earnestly does God exhort the careless and impenitent, saying, Turn ye, turn ye from your evil way, for why will ye die, O house of Israel? How shall I give thee up, O Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, O Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? Observe the grand commission of the apostles, that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

3. Recorded facts. This glorious truth is not only declared by the voice of inspiration, but also by the loud and impressive testimony of experience. What multitudes have already obtained forgiveness! The Scriptures abound with the most astonishing and striking instances of this delightful truth. But if we look into the New Testament, we shall see this truth shining forth with greater lustre still. The first instance that strikes us here is Peter. How great and dreadful were his sins! He denied his Divine Lord and Master, and that with oaths and curses; and yet repenting, he was forgiven. In the same list we behold Mary Magdalene, out of whom seven unclean spirits were cast. (Essex Congregational Remembrancer.)

Pardoning mercy

These words–

I. Prefer an important charge. And refused to obey, etc. Though this charge was primarily brought against the Jews, it is substantially applicable to all impenitent sinners. Here is–

1. A charge of obstinate disobedience. We are guilty of the same charge. We are under infinite obligations to the Divine Being. He is the Creator, Sovereign, Benefactor, Redeemer, Saviour, and Judge of mankind.

2. A charge of criminal forgetfulness. Neither were mindful of Thy wonders, (Psa 78:10-17; Psa 106:21-26). God has crowned each of us with loving-kindness and tender mercies, and wrought wonders in our creation, preservation, redemption, and salvation. We have too often unfaithfully forgotten His innumerable benefits, and ungratefully murmured against His kind dispensations (Isa 1:2-3).

3. A charge of hardened impenitence. But hardened their necks,. etc. This is an awful state (Pro 29:1; Rom 2:5-6; Heb 3:15).

II. Contain a gracious declaration. Thou art a God ready to pardon. This is manifest from–

1. The perfections of the Divine character.

2. The glorious scheme of human redemption (Isa 53:5-6; Rom 3:25-26; 2Co 5:18; 2Co 5:21).

3. The testimonies and promises of Scripture.

III. Suggest appropriate instruction. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)

A God ready to pardon

I. The history of israel singularly illustrates the readiness of God to pardon.

II. It is equally true that the lord at all times is a God ready to pardon.

1. It is true of Him by nature. Mercy is an essential attribute of God.

2. He Himself removed the impediment which lay in the way of forgiveness.

3. He sends His message of love to sinners while they are yet in their sins.

4. He makes no hard conditions with sinners.

5. What He demands of man by the gospel He also works in Him by His Spirit.

6. He accepts even the very lowest grade of the necessary graces. Repentance, etc. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

A pardoning God

I. The nature of this pardon. It is–

1. Free. Pardon must be so. It is no objection to say that Christ has purchased it. True, He has purchased, but it is free in its bestowment on us, because we could not merit it, nor claim it as a right.

2. Complete. Do not mean that it refers to the future. Some say when once pardoned all done. Not so Scriptures. Complete because it refers to all; complete because it is full.

3. Present. Some say not until death. Not so Scriptures.

4. Righteous. Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, etc. Righteous because bestowed on righteous principles; because of Christs atonement.

5. Discriminating. If Christ died for all, how is it that all are not pardoned? Remedy only available for those who apply for it. Hence–

II. The conditions. Scriptures teach us duty of forgiveness if offender repents and asks. So with God our confession must be–

1. Frank. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

2. Penitent. The sacrifice, etc. Many frankly confess, but not penitently. True penitence seen in the publican.

3. Believing.

III. Evidence that God is ready to pardon.

1. From scheme of redemption. Love in scheme, end of scheme; and if pardon not dispensed, end defeated.

2. From His relation to the Saviour. As Father He could not furnish a greater guarantee.

3. From means He employs to bring to Him. Sends Spirit–Providence–Word. Characterised by love.

4. From receptions others have met with. Manasseh–dying thief–Saul. Shown in Prodigal.

Lessons:

1. Subject does not imply God will not punish.

2. Subject shows only way of deliverance, and that way to be taken now. (E. R. Derry.)

The joy of pardon

A man named John Welsh lay in prison in Chicago under sentence of death. His friends tried to get his sentence commuted to imprisonment for life. The day before that fixed for the execution arrived without any favourable reply being received. The prisoner sat in his cell listening and longing earnestly for a respite. Presently he heard the rumbling of the wheels of a car. It brought the materials for his scaffold, and soon he heard the strokes of the hammers, and pictured himself hanging on the scaffold which he could hear them raising. The sound almost drove him frantic, and he sent for the governor, and begged that he might be taken away anywhere from that dreadful noise. He was taken to a distant cell, and there he sat on the edge of his bed, haunted with gloomy thoughts, all hope gone. He was startled from his rom, erie by a hurried step along the corridor. The key was thrust into the lock, and one of the officers of the prison stood before him. He held a paper in his hand signed by the Governor of the State of Illinois. It was a commutation of his sentence . . . How the truth burst on his mind! When the paper was handed to him he could not read it for tears; but it was a paper bringing him his life, and he hugged it, and clasped it, and kissed it. (H. W. Taylor.)

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 17. And in their rebellion appointed a captain] This clause, read according to its order in the Hebrew text, is thus: And appointed a captain to return to their bondage in their rebellion. But it is probable that bemiryam, in their rebellion, is a mistake for bemitsrayim, in Egypt. This is the reading of seven of Kennicott’s and De Rossi’s MSS., the Neapolitan edition of the Hagiographa, and the Septuagint. It is also the reading in Nu 14:4. The clause should undoubtedly be read, They appointed a captain to return to their bondage in EGYPT.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Refused to obey; persisted in their disobedience after many admonitions, and invitations to repentance.

Appointed a captain, i.e. designed, purposed, and resolved to do so, Num 14:4, and therefore they are said to do so, as Abraham is said to have offered up Isaac, Heb 11:17, because he intended and attempted to do it.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

And refused to obey,…. Though exhorted, admonished, and threatened, such was their obstinacy:

neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; in delivering them at the Red sea, in raining manna about them, and giving them water out of the rock:

but hardened their necks; see the preceding verse:

and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage; they not only proposed it, but determined upon it, which is reckoned the same as if they had done it, see Nu 14:4,

but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; as he had proclaimed his name before Moses, and as the whole of his conduct towards the people of Israel abundantly shewed, see Ex 34:6

and forsookest them not; when in the wilderness, where otherwise they must have perished, but still fed and protected them, notwithstanding their provocations.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(17) In their rebellion.Rather, appointed a captain to return to their bondage in Egypt. This is the reading of some MSS., followed by the Septuagint, and is in harmony with Num. 14:4, though there the appointment is only proposed.

A God ready to pardon.A God of pardons; only in Dan. 9:9 and Psa. 130:4.

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

17. Appointed a captain According to Num 14:4 the Israelites only proposed among themselves to appoint a captain, but it is quite probable that they also carried their rebellion so far as actually to nominate a new leader.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Neh 9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou [art] a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

Ver. 17. And refused to obey ] Heb. To hearken. They not only not hearkened, but refused to hear reasons why they should; as having made their conclusion, and being as good as ever they meant to be. This is to add rebellion to sin; this is that stubbornness that Ahaz is taxed of and branded for, 2Ch 28:25 .

Neither were mindful of thy wonders ] These soon grew stale to them, as the Psalmist proves by their wicked practices, Psa 106:13 . And truly who that looketh upon our lives would ever think that God had done any wonders for us of this nation, either by sea or land, either against fireworks or water works formerly; or against a viperous brood among ourselves, here of late?

And in their rebellion appointed a captain ] They once talked (in their mad mood) of doing such a thing, and therefore they are here said to have done it, Num 14:4 ; like as Jos 24:9 , it is said that Balak arose and fought with Israel; and yet the story saith no such matter. But if he did not, yet because he thought and talked of such a matter, it was a done thing before the Lord!

But thou art a God ready to pardon ] Heb. A God of pardons. One that hast set up a pardon office; where pardons for penitents lie ready sealed, that the sinner may not be to seek, that he may not perish in his sins while the plaster is in providing. It is our comfort that we have to do with a forgiving, sin-pardoning God, that doth it naturally, Exo 34:6 , plentifully, Isa 55:7 , constantly, Psa 130:4 . This should be as a perpetual picture in our hearts.

Gracious ] Doing all for us gratis, et ex mero motu, out of his free and unexcited love.

And merciful ] All-heart; whereby he is inclined to succour them that are in misery, notwithstanding their sins. See his non obstante , Psa 106:8 .

Longsuffering ] Heb. Long of anger, that is, long ere he will be angry; not hasty of spirit, as Pro 14:17 ; Pro 14:29 , but wondrous patient, amidst a world of provocations.

And of great kindness ] Of exceeding propensity to communicate good. The Hebrew word signifies a large quantity either continued (that is, magnitude or greatness), Psa 48:2 , or discrete (that is, multitude), Psa 2:1-2 .

And forsookest them not ] That is, not utterly, as David prayeth, Psa 119:8 , and after him Solomon, 1Ki 8:57 . When God forsaketh a people or person, woe be to them, Hos 9:12 . What a terrible text is that, Eze 22:20 , “I will gather you in mine anger, and my fury, and I will leave you there!” and that other, Jer 16:13 , “I will cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not where I will not show you favour!” This last was worse than all the rest. This the prophet well knew, and therefore cried out, Lord, leave us not, Jer 17:17 .

Extingui lucem ne patiare tuam.

Or if thou desert us for a time, yet do not disinherit us for ever. If thy dereliction of us be penal, yet let it not be perpetual (Mos. Gerundin).

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

among = with.

appointed a captain. See Num 14:4.

to their bondage. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read bemizraim = to Egypt, instead of bemiryam = in their rebellion.

ready to pardon = of forgivenesses.

of great kindness = abounding in lovingkindness.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

refused: Num 14:3, Num 14:4, Num 14:11, Num 14:41, Num 16:14, Psa 106:24, Psa 106:25, Pro 1:24, Heb 12:25

mindful: Psa 78:11, Psa 78:42, Psa 78:43, Psa 86:5, Psa 86:15, Psa 106:7, Psa 106:13, Mat 16:9-11, 2Pe 1:12-15

in their rebellion: Instead of bemiryam, “in their rebellion,” seven manuscripts, one edition, and the LXX, have bemitzrayim, “in Egypt:” “appointed a captain to return to their bondage in Egypt.”

appointed: Num 14:4, Act 7:39

a God: Num 14:18, Num 14:19, Psa 86:5, Psa 86:15, Psa 130:4, Mic 7:18, Mic 7:19

ready to pardon: Heb. of pardons

gracious: Exo 34:6, Exo 34:7, Psa 78:38, Psa 103:8-18, Psa 145:8, Psa 145:9, Isa 55:7-9, Joe 2:13, Rom 9:15, Eph 1:6, Eph 1:7

forsookest: 1Ki 6:13, 1Ki 8:57, Psa 106:43-46

Reciprocal: Exo 13:17 – return Exo 32:9 – a stiffnecked 2Ki 18:12 – they obeyed not 2Ch 30:9 – the Lord 2Ch 36:13 – stiffened Neh 9:31 – gracious Psa 18:25 – With the Psa 89:2 – Mercy Psa 116:5 – Gracious Isa 48:4 – obstinate Isa 63:10 – they rebelled Jer 3:3 – thou refusedst Jer 7:26 – but Jer 11:8 – obeyed Jer 19:15 – because Eze 5:6 – for they Dan 9:9 – To the Lord Nah 1:3 – slow Zec 7:11 – they refused Mal 3:7 – from the Mat 18:27 – moved Mat 22:4 – and all Mar 10:5 – For Act 19:9 – divers 1Co 13:4 – is kind Eph 2:4 – who Jam 1:19 – slow to wrath Jam 5:11 – the Lord is

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge