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Nehemiah 9:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 9:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them, but hardened their neck, 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 abundant in lovingkindness, and forsookest them not.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them, but hardened their neck, 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 abundant in lovingkindness, and forsookest them not.
Nehemiah 9:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14and madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them commandments, and statutes, and a law, by Moses thy servant,
15and gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and commandedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.
16But they and our fathers dealt proudly and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
17and refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them, but hardened their neck, 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 abundant in lovingkindness, and forsookest them not.
18Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;
19yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of cloud departed not from over them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way wherein they should go.
20Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And refused to obey, etc.] 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 <041404>Numbers 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…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Made - Designed, 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 to do it. Nehemiah 9:22”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“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; Pe2 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: Kg1…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification