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Nehemiah 9:38

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 9:38 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And yet for all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, our Levites, [and] our priests, seal unto it.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And yet for all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, our Levites, [and] our priests, seal unto it.
Nehemiah 9:38 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
35For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
36Behold, we are servants this day, and as for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it.
37And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have power over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
38And yet for all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, our Levites, [and] our priests, seal unto it.
← Nehemiah 9:37Nehemiah 10:1 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“we make a sure covenant, and write--that is, subscribe or sign it. This written document would exercise a wholesome influence in restraining their backslidings or in animating them to duty, by being a witness against them if in the future they were unfaithful to their engagements. Next: Nehemiah Chapter 10”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Seal unto it - The exact force of the phrase used is doubtful; but its general sense must be that the classes named took part in the sealing. It was usual in the East to authenticate covenants by appending the seals of those who were parties to them (see Jeremiah 32:10). return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Nehemiah 9". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/nehemiah-9.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
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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
“Sure covenant, &c. - It was sealed and left upon record, that it might be a witness against them, if they dealt deceitfully. Next: Nehemiah Chapter 10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:38–10:39 The people, embracing the prayer, renewed their dedication to God and his word. They signed their names to indicate their commitment (9:38–10:27) and took an oath to live by the covenant (10:28-39). 9:38 making a solemn promise . . . putting it in writing: These actions indicate a serious vow of faithfulness to the covenant. The sealed document had legal standing.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“we make: Neh 10:29; Kg2 23:3; Ch2 15:12, Ch2 15:13, Ch2 23:16, Ch2 29:10, Ch2 34:31; Ezr 10:3 seal unto it: Heb. are at the sealing, or sealed, Neh 10:1 Next: Nehemiah Chapter 10”
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Related study paths

Read Nehemiah 9 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification