Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
26. Israel’s Disobedience
26. cast thy law behind their backs ] R.V. back. ‘Thy law,’ cf. Neh 9:14. For this phrase cf. 1Ki 14:9; Eze 23:35, ‘Cast me behind thy back,’ where the Lord is the speaker. The ‘law’ of God, which Israel rejected, is not here the ceremonial or even the written law, but the moral and spiritual ‘teaching’ of Jehovah, of which ‘the prophets’ were the Apostles from Moses to Malachi.
slew thy prophets ] ‘Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord,’ 1Ki 18:4. Not many instances are recorded. But cf. Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24; 2 Chronicles 20-22), Uriah the son of Shemaiah (Jer 26:20-23). The martyrdoms of Isaiah and Jeremiah belong to Jewish tradition. The deaths of the prophets who laid down their lives for their testimony are referred to in the New Test., cf. Mat 5:12; Mat 23:29; Act 7:52 (1Th 2:15); Heb 11:32 ff.
to turn them to thee ] R.V. to turn them again unto thee, i.e. to turn them back from following after other gods, and to lead them in ‘the way wherein they should go’ (Neh 9:19). Not as Vulg. ‘ut reverterentur ad te,’ (LXX. ). The rebellion of Israel was ‘a turning back’ from Jehovah. Cf. Psa 78:57.
wrought great provocations ] Cf. Neh 9:18.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Slew thy prophets – Compare 1Ki 18:4; 1Ki 19:10; 2Ch 24:21. Jewish tradition further affirms that more than one of the great prophets (e. g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) were martyred by their countrymen.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Neh 9:26-29
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against Thee.
Provocations and punishment
I. How justly we may be charged, as the Jews in the text, with having wrought great provocations. This will be manifest if we consider–
1. To what a prodigious height all kinds of iniquity are raised amongst us. Atheism, infidelity, blasphemy, intemperance, impurity, commercial immorality.
2. What engagements we are under to abstain from all transgressions of the laws of God.
3. That our sins have been committed against the most prevailing attempts of the Spirit of God to restrain and reclaim us from them.
4. That our sins have been committed against many and great mercies.
5. That our sins have been committed against the discipline of Gods rod and those many judgments He hath sent to teach us righteousness.
II. That we have great reason to fear that our great provocations may be punished by God as those of the Jews were. Conclusion: What is the most effectual means to prevent the punishment our great provocations threaten us with? (Lilly Butler.)
And testifiedst against them, that Thou mightest bring them again unto Thy law.
Gods laws
Some years ago I was enjoying a ramble on the Portsdown Hills, a favourite resort of the Portsmouth people, and commanding a delightful view of the sea. They are all open to the public, except a few places which are carefully fenced off. Are these the most luxurious spots, where the grass is softest and the moss most green? No, indeed, these are the broken and precipitous parts, where serious accidents might occur. Gods laws are just like these fences. Gods love has placed fences there to keep us from hurting ourselves. (F. S. Webster.)
Danger signals
In travelling along our great railroads we pass many signal stations. In connection with each of these there is a man appointed, one of whose duties it is to see that the way is clear. If a bridge should be broken, or any obstruction is on the road, he is expected to ring a bell, wave a flag, or make a signal of some kind, so that the driver of any train coming along the road may know in time to stop his train before any harm is done. And the flag the man waves, or the signal he puts out, is the warring given to approaching trains to save them from injury. In the journey that we are pursuing through this life we are sure to meet with many dangers. The Bible is the guide-book which God has given us to use on the journey. And the warnings found in this book are the signals to tell us of the dangers that lie along our path in order that we may avoid them. We cannot be safe in our journey through the world unless we are careful to mind these warnings.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Cast thy law behind their backs, i.e. neglected and despised thy laws, would not regard nor observe them; whereas they should have had them continually before their eyes, to direct and govern them. Compare Psa 50:17; Eze 23:35.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Nevertheless, they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee,…. Notwithstanding all these favours and mercies bestowed upon them, which was great ingratitude:
and cast thy law behind their backs; as of no account, and unworthy of their regard; that which they should have had continually before their eyes, as the rule and guide of their actions, they cast behind them, not caring to look into it, and read it:
and slew thy prophets, which testified against them to turn them to thee; the prophets that bore a testimony against their sins, admonished them of them, called heaven and earth to record against them should they continue in them, and all to turn them from them by repentance to the Lord; those they were so wroth with on this account as to slay them, see Mt 23:37,
and they wrought great provocations; serving Baalim and Ashtaroth, and other gods of the nations, than which nothing was more provoking to the Lord.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
But even in that good land the fathers were disobedient: they rejected the commands of God, slew the prophets who admonished them, and were not brought back to the obedience of God even by the chastisement inflicted on them, till at length God delivered them into the hands of Gentile kings, though after His great mercy He did not utterly forsake them. – Neh 9:26 “And 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. Neh 9:27 And Thou deliveredst them into the hand of their oppressors, so that they oppressed them; and in the time of their oppression they cried unto Thee. Then Thou heardest them from heaven, and according to Thy manifold mercies Thou gavest them deliverers, who delivered them out of the hand of their oppressors. Neh 9:28 And when they had rest, they again did evil before Thee. Then Thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them; and they cried again unto Thee, and Thou heardest from heaven, and didst deliver them according to Thy great mercy, many times.”
Neh 9:26 Neh 9:26 again contains, like Neh 9:16, a general condemnation of the conduct of the children of Israel towards the Lord their God during the period between their entrance into Canaan and the captivity, which is then justified by the facts adduced in the verses following. In proof of their disobedience, it is mentioned that they cast the commands of God behind their back (comp. 1Ki 14:19; Eze 23:35), and slew the prophets, e.g., Zechariah (2Ch 24:21), the prophets of the days of Jezebel ( 1Ki 18:13; 1Ki 19:10), and others who rebuked their sins to turn them from them. , to testify against sinners, comp. 2Ki 17:13, 2Ki 17:15. The last clause of Neh 9:26 is a kind of refrain, repeated from Neh 9:18.
Neh 9:27-28 Neh 9:27 and Neh 9:28 refer to the times of the judges; comp. Jdg 2:11-23. are the judges whom God raised up to deliver Israel out of the power of their oppressors; comp. Jdg 3:9. with Neh 2:16. , multitudes of times, is a co-ordinate accusative: at many times, frequently; like Lev 25:51.
Neh 9:29-30 “And testifiedst against them, to bring them back again to Thy law; yet they hearkened not to Thy commandments, and sinned against Thy judgments, which if a man do he shall live in them, and gave a resisting shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear. Neh 9:30 And Thou didst bear with them many years, and didst testify against them by Thy Spirit through Thy prophets; but they would not hearken, therefore Thou gavest them into the hand of the people of the lands. Neh 9:31 Nevertheless in Thy great mercy Thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for Thou art gracious and merciful.”
Neh 9:29 and Neh 9:30 treat of the times of the kings. is the testimony of the prophets against the idolatrous people; comp. Neh 9:26. is emphatically prefixed, and taken up again by . The sentence, which if a man do he shall live in them, is formed upon Lev 18:5, comp. Eze 20:11. On the figurative expression, they gave a resisting shoulder, comp. Zec 7:11. The simile is taken from the ox, who rears against the yoke, and desires not to bear it; comp. Hos 4:16. The sentences following are repeated from Neh 9:16. is an abbreviated expression for , Psa 36:11; Psa 109:12; Jer 31:3, to draw out, to extend for a long time favour to any one: Thou hadst patience with them for many years, viz., the whole period of kingly rule from Solomon to the times of the Assyrians. The delivering into the power of the people of the lands, i.e., of the heathen (comp. Psa 106:40.), began with the invasion of the Assyrians (comp. Neh 9:32), who destroyed the kingdom of the ten tribes, and was inflicted upon Judah also by means of the Chaldeans.
Neh 9:31 But in the midst of these judgments also, God, according to His promise, Jer 4:27; Jer 5:10, Jer 5:18; Jer 30:11, and elsewhere, did not utterly forsake His people, nor make a full end of them; for He did not suffer them to become extinct in exile, but preserved a remnant, and delivered it from captivity.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
7. Disobedience, punishment, and repentance characterize the period of judges and kings.
TEXT, Neh. 9:26-31
26
But they became disobedient and rebelled against Thee,
And cast Thy law behind their backs
And killed Thy prophets who had admonished them.
So that they might return to Thee,
And they committed great blasphemies.
27
Therefore Thou didst deliver them into the hand of their oppressors who oppressed them,
But when they cried to Thee in the time of their distress,
Thou didst hear from heaven, and according to Thy great compassion
Thou didst give them deliverers who delivered them from the hand of their oppressors.
28
But as soon as they had rest, they did evil again before Thee;
Therefore Thou didst abandon them to the hand of their enemies, so that they ruled over them.
When they cried again to Thee, Thou didst hear from heaven,
And many times Thou didst rescue them according to Thy compassion,
29
And admonished them in order to turn them back to Thy law.
Yet they acted arrogantly and did not listen to Thy command-merits but sinned against Thy ordinances,
By which if a man observes them he shall live.
And they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck, and would not listen.
30
However, Thou didst bear with them for many years,
And admonished them by Thy Spirit through Thy prophets,
Yet they would not give ear.
Therefore Thou didst give them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
31
Nevertheless, in Thy great compassion Thou didst not make an end of them or forsake them,
For Thou art a gracious and compassionate God.
COMMENT
Neh. 9:26-29 relate particularly to the rule by judges, though the pattern is the same when the kings ruled. The cycle of disobedience, suffering oppression, and Gods hearing and delivering occurs frequently in the book of Judges. The killing of the prophets (Neh. 9:26) may raise eyebrows, but there were prophets in that period (Jdg. 6:8; in 1Sa. 3:20, Samuel is called a prophet; 1Sa. 9:9 indicates they had existed before under the title of seers). If they existed, it is a natural assumption that some of them would have been killed.
The many times of Neh. 9:28 is an obvious reference to events during Judges. Even without the repetition indicated by that phrase, there are three cycles of evil (Neh. 9:26, But they became disobedient; Neh. 9:28, they did evil again; Neh. 9:29, yet they acted arrogantly) each followed immediately by Gods gracious deliverance, if we look ahead to Neh. 9:30.
The reference to the ordinances in Neh. 9:29 is revealing; By which if a man observes them he shall live. This does not refer directly to life hereafter, but to survival in this world. The keeping of the laws really did add to their longevity as compared to their contemporaries.
Neh. 9:30-31 relate more fully to the Kingdom Period: Gods long forbearance, His urgings through the prophets, their deafness, the inevitable Captivity, and Gods compassionate preservation and deliverance of His people are all here.
WORD STUDIES
NAME (Neh. 9:5, Shem): basically it means a sign, monument, or memorial of a person, thing, or event. This word is translated memorial in Isa. 55:13. But the emphasis is on the person or event of which it is only the sign. To do something in someones name is to act by his authority (Exo. 5:23). To know someone by name suggests acquaintance with him personally (Exo. 33:12). To make oneself a name indicates fame and renown (2Sa. 7:9); conversely, to have no name is to be a nobody (Job. 30:8); a good name signified a good reputation or character (Pro. 22:1); the destruction of ones name meant that his person and the memory of him would be no more (Deu. 9:14).
Gods name, then, is His person, His authority, the knowledge of Him, His fame or glory, His character, the memory of all that He has done.
WORSHIP (Neh. 9:3); BOW DOWN (Neh. 9:6): these are the same word. It contains three ideas; (1) sink down, bow down, fall prostrate, do honor or reverence to someone whether to an equal or to a superior; (2) hence, to worship or adore; (3) therefore, to do homage or yield allegiance to someone.
Worship is incomplete without commitment.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
The First Cycles ( Neh 9:26-27 ).
Note the pattern of the initial cycles. Rebellion (Neh 9:26). Deliverance to enemies (Neh 9:27 a). The plea for help (Neh 9:27 b). The provision of saviours (Neh 9:27 c). The mention of the slaying of the prophets indicates that this is going beyond the Judges period, into the period of the kings, but it follows the pattern of Jdg 2:11-19. We have in this regard the clear examples of the prophets slain in the days of Elijah ( 1Ki 18:4 ; 1Ki 18:13; 1Ki 19:10); and of Zechariah the son of Jehoiada, who was slain in the court of the king’s house at the command of King Joash (2Ch 24:20-21. These would be followed later by Uriah the son of Shemaiah in the days of Jehoiakim (Jer 26:20-23); and Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, who was slain between the Temple and the altar (Mat 23:35), with the latter (Zec 1:1) perishing after the return from Exile. All had not been well, even among the returnees.
Neh 9:26
“Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, and cast your Law behind their back, and slew your prophets who testified against them to turn them again to you, and they wrought great provocations.”
They acknowledged before God how their fathers had rebelled against Him continually. It will be noted that only in the case of these early cycles, and then subsequently in the final cycle, are the details of their rebellion brought out, a rebellion against His Law (Instruction), something very important at a time when the returnees had just been listening to the reading and exposition of the Law. In the intermediate cycles it is simply ‘after they had rest they did evil before you’. But here ‘the Law’ has come into especial prominence, and is treated by men as God treats sin (Isa 38:17), it is cast behind their backs. They thus rejected the Law and the prophets. The Levites are describing the past in terms of their post-exilic view of the pre-eminence of the Law which had been emphasised by Ezra, but reminding us that the Law had been ever with them.
Here their rebellion is spelt out in detail. They were disobedient — they rebelled against God — they cast His Law behind their backs — they slew His prophets who testified against them — they wrought great provocations. This is always the pathway into the depths of sin. First disobedience, then rebellion, then rejection of His word, then persecution of His messengers, and finally gross sin.
The mention of the slaying of the prophets demonstrates that this period covers both Judges and Kings (see Jdg 2:11-16 and 2 Kings 17 for the pattern), for it was in the time of the monarchy that we learn of the slaying of prophets (1Ki 18:4; 2Ch 24:20-21).
Neh 9:27
“Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them, and in the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard from heaven, and according to your manifold mercies you gave them saviours who saved them out of the hand of their adversaries.”
Then they drew God’s attention to the fact that He had in His mercy constantly delivered His people. As a consequence of their decline they were delivered into the hands of their enemies and suffered great distress (as the returnees had recently been doing – Neh 1:3). But then in their time of trouble they cried to God, and He ‘heard from heaven’ (reminiscent of Solomon’s prayer – 1Ki 8:30 ; 1Ki 8:32; 1Ki 8:34, and so on). And as a result of His widespread mercies He gave them saviours who saved them out of the hands of their enemies (compare Jdg 2:16; Jdg 2:18).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Repeated Cycles of Rebellion, Deliverance Into The Hands Of Enemies, Fervent Intercession, Divine Intervention ( Neh 9:26-31 ).
They now described to God how they had behaved as a nation, the constantly repeated cycles of rebellion, deliverance into the hands of enemies, fervent pleas to God, followed by divine intervention. See Neh 9:26-28 (‘many times’); Neh 9:29-31. As we have already seen this very much follows the pattern of the book of Judges (Jdg 2:11-19).
Note the threefold description of their deliverances into the hands of their enemies, ‘you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries’ (Neh 9:27); ‘you left them in the hands of their enemies so that they had dominion over them’ (Neh 9:28); ‘you gave them into the hands of the peoples of the lands’ (Neh 9:30). And note the increase in intensity of the descriptions, ‘delivered into the hands of their enemies’; ‘left in their hands so that they had dominion over them’ (albeit in their own country); ‘given into the hands of the peoples of the lands’, because they were exiled.
And note the threefold interventions of God. ‘You gave them saviours who saved them out of the hand of their adversaries’ (Neh 9:27); ‘many times you delivered them according to your mercies’ (Neh 9:28); ‘in your manifold mercies you did not make a full end of them’ (Neh 9:31). In the last case there is no description of deliverance. Their deliverance was still pending. And it still was at the time of this prayer, being only partially completed by their return. They had returned to the land but they had not fully been delivered. And it was their intention that God should note this. Their hope was that by entering into the covenant, and observing it, they would achieve this full deliverance, although that hope is not spelled out.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Neh 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.
Ver. 26. Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled ] See how full in the mouth these holy Levites were in aggravating their own and their forefathers’ sins, which swelled as so many toads in their eyes; neither could they ever sufficiently disgrace them. This is the property and practice of the true penitentiary.
They cast thy law behind their backs
And slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee
And they wrought great provocations
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Neh 9:26-31
26But they became disobedient and rebelled against You,
And cast Your law behind their backs
And killed Your prophets who had admonished them
So that they might return to You,
And they committed great blasphemies.
27Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their oppressors who oppressed them,
But when they cried to You in the time of their distress,
You heard from heaven, and according to Your great compassion
You gave them deliverers who delivered them from the hand of their oppressors.
28But as soon as they had rest, they did evil again before You;
Therefore You abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they ruled over them.
When they cried again to You, You heard from heaven,
And many times You rescued them according to Your compassion,
29And admonished them in order to turn them back to Your law.
Yet they acted arrogantly and did not listen to Your commandments but sinned against Your ordinances,
By which if a man observes them he shall live.
And they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck, and would not listen.
30However, You bore with them for many years,
And admonished them by Your Spirit through Your prophets,
Yet they would not give ear.
Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
31Nevertheless, in Your great compassion You did not make an end of them or forsake them,
For You are a gracious and compassionate God.
Neh 9:26-31 This refers to the period of the Judges, which was one of the darkest periods of Israel’s history. Cycle after cycle of sin and restoration!
Neh 9:26 and cast them behind their backs This is a Hebrew idiom for being out of sight, being out of mind (cf. Isa 38:17). It has the connotation of willful rejection (cf. 1Ki 14:9; Eze 23:35 and the same concept is in Psa 50:17).
And killed Your prophets God’s people did not want to hear from God through His spokespersons so they silenced the speaker! See Special Topic: Prophet (the different Hebrew terms) .
return See Special Topic: REPENTANCE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT .
Neh 9:27 The recurrent theme of YHWH’s patience, love, and covenant loyalty is contrasted with Israel’s rebellion, generation after generation (cf. Neh 9:28).
Neh 9:29 to turn back See Special Topic: REPENTANCE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT .
NASBthey acted arrogantly
NKJVthey acted proudly
NRSVthey acted presumptuously
TEVin pride they rejected
NJBthey became arrogant
This VERB (BDB 267, KB 268, Hiphil PERFECT) implies the willful rejection of God’s authority expressed through His prophets (cf. Neh 9:30) and His word. Often one’s personal, cultural, or national opinions are substituted for God’s truth (e.g., false prophets).
By which if a man observes them he shall live This is the OT understanding of salvation (cf. Lev 18:5; Gal 3:12). However, the repeated failure of each and every generation of the sons of Adam forced YHWH to bring about a new covenant (cf. Jer 31:31-34; Eze 36:22-38) based on God’s performance (in Christ) only dependent on a faithful human reception. The goal is still the samea righteous people, but the mechanism has changed; an internal law/a new heart/a new spirit!
They turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck This terminology refers to Deu 9:6-7; Deu 9:13; Deu 9:24; Deu 9:27.
Neh 9:30 the peoples of the land In Ezra (cf. Neh 3:3; Neh 9:1-2; Neh 9:11; Neh 10:2; Neh 10:11) and Nehemiah (cf. Neh 9:30; Neh 10:29; Neh 10:31-32) this means native inhabitants (i.e., those who survived the deportations and those resettled in Palestine and the resulting intermarriages). Earlier in the OT it referred to either (1) the wealthy land owners or (2) the people who had legal rights as citizens.
Neh 9:31 God’s covenant judgment (cf. Deuteronomy 27-29) was always an attempt to cause Israel to repent and return. However, grace and mercy rejected results in judgment even beyond this life. God chose Israel to choose the world! He retained a faithful remnant to accomplish His Messianic promises and world evangelization!
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
slew Thy prophets. See 1Ki 19:10. Compare Mat 23:37. Act 7:52.
testified against = solemnly admonished.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Neh 9:26-31
Neh 9:26-31
THE CONTINUED DISOBEDIENCE OF THE PEOPLE AND THEIR MULTIPLE REBELLIONS AGAINST GOD
“Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their back, and slew thy prophets that testified against them to turn them again unto thee, and they wrought great provocations. Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours who saved them out of the hand of their adversaries. 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 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, 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. Yet many years didst thou bear with them, and testifiedst against them by thy Spirit through thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. Nevertheless in thy manifold mercies thou didst not make a full end of them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.”
These verses are an abbreviated but sufficiently specific elaboration of the multiple apostasies of the Chosen People, which in the aggregate constitute the entire record of the Old Testament. Wonderful indeed are the mercies of the gracious God who found a way to forgive Israel over and over again. An apostle has told us that these things were “written for admonition” (1Co 10:11); and the great lesson for Christians is centered right here in this willingness of the heavenly Father to forgive the sins of his people, if only they will love God and be faithful to his word.
In the final section of this prayer, Israel pleads their phenomenal sufferings as the basis of their plea for mercy, confessing at the same time that they fully deserved the punishments God had laid upon them. Still, despite their sufferings, they made a solemn covenant (of obedience) and sealed it.
E.M. Zerr:
Neh 9:26. This verse is acknowledging the ingratitude of the nation of Israel. To cast the law behind the back means to go headlong in their own selfish way, regardless of the way the law would have them go. Slew the prophets. This doubtless took place on numerous occasions, but a noted instance was that by Jezebel in 1Ki 18:4.
Neh 9:27-28. This paragraph has special reference to the period covered by the book of Judges. The enemies into whose hand God sold his people were the nations in Palestine who were there when they crossed over into that land. They had been warned not to have any covenants with them, but to drive them out. They did not do so and God then suffered them to oppress his people to punish them. After a while his compassion would assert itself and he would raise up a man to deliver them from their oppressors and rule them for a time. Such men were called judges in that book but are called saviours in this paragraph. This in-and-out or up-anddown experience of the nation of Israel continued for 450 years (Acts 13, 20).
Neh 9:29. Testifiedst against them was in order that they could not forget “what it was all about.” That made their conduct to constitute a course of conscious disobedience. It placed them in the class of wilful rebels, entitled to the judgments of God. Withdrew the shoulder is figurative. Burdens were carried on the shoulders, and to withdraw the shoulder would mean to refuse to perform one’s duty or to help others bear the burdens of life.
Neh 9:30. By thy spirit in thy prophets. This teaches that the prophets spoke to the people for God, and in order to do so needed to be inspired. See Heb 1:1.
Neh 9:31. The nation was not utterly destroyed, but it was not because it did not deserve to be. The reason was that God was merciful and not willing to see it given up to complete ruin. That is still the reason that man is suffered to live on in his unworthiness. See 2Pe 3:9.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
they were: Jdg 2:11, Jdg 2:12, Jdg 3:6, Jdg 3:7, Jdg 10:6, Jdg 10:13, Jdg 10:14, Psa 78:56, Psa 78:57, Psa 106:34-40, Eze 16:15-63, Eze 20:21, Eze 23:4-49
cast thy law: 1Ki 14:9, Psa 50:17, Eze 33:3-5
slew: 1Ki 18:4, 1Ki 18:13, 1Ki 19:10, 2Ch 24:20, 2Ch 24:21, 2Ch 36:16, Jer 26:20-23, Mat 21:35, Mat 23:34-37, Act 7:52
wrought: Neh 9:18, 2Ki 21:11, Eze 22:25-31
Reciprocal: Deu 28:29 – thou shalt be Deu 31:20 – eaten Jdg 6:1 – did evil 2Sa 24:19 – as the Lord 1Ki 8:47 – saying 2Ki 17:7 – sinned 2Ki 17:15 – testimonies 2Ki 18:12 – they obeyed not 2Ki 21:9 – they hearkened 2Ki 21:10 – General 2Ki 22:17 – have forsaken 2Ch 6:37 – We have sinned 2Ch 12:2 – because 2Ch 24:19 – Yet he sent Ezr 5:12 – But after Neh 9:29 – testifiedst Psa 78:10 – General Pro 30:9 – I be full Isa 5:24 – cast away Isa 42:24 – General Isa 63:10 – they rebelled Jer 2:30 – your own sword Jer 4:17 – because Jer 7:25 – the day Jer 11:8 – obeyed Jer 16:11 – Because Jer 25:7 – that ye Jer 26:4 – If Jer 30:15 – for the Jer 32:23 – but Jer 35:14 – but ye Jer 42:19 – admonished you Lam 1:18 – for I Lam 3:42 – transgressed Eze 2:3 – rebelled Eze 20:8 – they rebelled Eze 23:35 – and cast Eze 36:31 – shall ye Dan 9:9 – though Hos 2:7 – for Hos 8:12 – but Hos 13:6 – to Amo 2:4 – because Zep 3:2 – obeyed Zec 1:2 – Lord Zec 1:4 – unto Zec 7:11 – they refused Mal 3:7 – from the Mat 5:12 – for so Mat 23:37 – thou Mar 10:5 – For Mar 12:3 – they Luk 3:20 – General Luk 6:23 – for in Luk 13:34 – killest Luk 20:10 – beat Rom 10:21 – a disobedient Rom 11:3 – Lord Jam 5:1 – ye
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9:26 Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which {e} testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.
(e) Taking heaven and earth to witness that God would destroy them unless they returned, as in 2Ch 24:19.