Nehemiah 1:5
New International Version
Then I said: “LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

New Living Translation
Then I said, “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands,

English Standard Version
And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Berean Standard Bible
Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,

King James Bible
And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

New King James Version
And I said: “I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments,

New American Standard Bible
I said, “Please, LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps the covenant and faithfulness for those who love Him and keep His commandments:

NASB 1995
I said, “I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,

NASB 1977
And I said, “I beseech Thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,

Legacy Standard Bible
I said, “I beseech You, O Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and fearsome God, who keeps the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,

Amplified Bible
And I said, “Please, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,

Christian Standard Bible
I said, LORD, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I said, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands,

American Standard Version
and said, I beseech thee, O Jehovah, the God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments:

Contemporary English Version
LORD God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands.

English Revised Version
and said, I beseech thee, O LORD, the God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I said, "LORD God of heaven, great and awe-inspiring God, you faithfully keep your promise and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments.

Good News Translation
"LORD God of Heaven! You are great, and we stand in fear of you. You faithfully keep your covenant with those who love you and do what you command.

International Standard Version
I said, "Please, LORD, God of Heaven, the great and fearsome God who keeps the covenant, showing gracious love to those who love you and keep your commands,

Majority Standard Bible
Then I said: ?O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,

NET Bible
Then I said, "Please, O LORD God of heaven, great and awesome God, who keeps his loving covenant with those who love him and obey his commandments,

New Heart English Bible
and said, "I beg you, LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments:

Webster's Bible Translation
And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

World English Bible
and said, “I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I say, “Ah, now, O YHWH, God of the heavens, God, the great and the fearful, keeping the covenant and kindness for those loving Him, and for those keeping His commands,

Young's Literal Translation
And I say, 'I beseech thee, O Jehovah, God of the heavens, God, the great and the fearful, keeping the covenant and kindness for those loving Him, and for those keeping His commands,

Smith's Literal Translation
And saying, Now O Jehovah, God of the heavens, the great and terrible God watching the covenant and mercy to those loving him, and to those watching his commands:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I said: WI beseech thee, 0 Lord God of heaven, strong, great, and terrible, who keepest covenant and mercy with those that love thee, and keep thy commandments :

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I said: “I beg you, O Lord, God of heaven, strong, great, and terrible, who keeps covenant and mercy with those who love you and who keep your commandments:

New American Bible
I prayed: “LORD, God of heaven, great and awesome God, you preserve your covenant of mercy with those who love you and keep your commandments.

New Revised Standard Version
I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the mighty, the great and revered God, who keeps truth and grace for those who love him and keep his commandments;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I was saying: “I beg of you, LORD JEHOVAH, God of Heaven, God The Mighty Man, and great and awesome, keeping the truth and grace for his friends and for those keeping his commandments,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and said: 'I beseech Thee, O LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awful God, that keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I said, Nay, I pray thee, O Lord God of heaven, the mighty, the great and terrible, keeping thy covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to those that keep his commandments:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Nehemiah's Prayer
4When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments, 6let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.…

Cross References
Daniel 9:4
And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments,

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.

Exodus 20:6
but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Psalm 145:13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful in all His words and kind in all His actions.

1 Kings 8:23
and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

Deuteronomy 5:10
but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Psalm 103:17-18
But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children— / to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

Exodus 34:6-7
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

2 Chronicles 6:14
and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven or on earth, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

Psalm 89:1-2
A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the loving devotion of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations. / For I have said, “Loving devotion is built up forever; in the heavens You establish Your faithfulness.”

Psalm 136:1-2
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever. / Give thanks to the God of gods. His loving devotion endures forever.

Isaiah 55:3
Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Jeremiah 32:18
You show loving devotion to thousands but lay the iniquity of the fathers into the laps of their children after them, O great and mighty God whose name is the LORD of Hosts,

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. / They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Treasury of Scripture

And said, I beseech you, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keeps covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

the great

Nehemiah 4:14
And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

Deuteronomy 7:21
Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.

1 Chronicles 17:21
And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?

keepeth

Exodus 20:6
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

1 Kings 8:23
And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

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Awesome Awful Beg Beseech Commandments Commands Covenant Feared Fearful Great Greatly Heaven Heavens Keepeth Keeping Keeps Kindness Laws Loving Mercy Obey Observe Preserves Steadfast Terrible True.
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Nehemiah 1
1. Nehemiah, understanding by Hanani the misery of Jerusalem, mourns, fasts, and prays
5. His prayer














O LORD
The term "LORD" in this context is derived from the Hebrew "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, often vocalized as Yahweh. This name signifies God's eternal existence and His covenantal relationship with Israel. Nehemiah's invocation of "O LORD" reflects a deep reverence and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and personal involvement in the lives of His people. It is a reminder of the intimate relationship believers are invited into, where God is not distant but near and personal.

God of heaven
This phrase emphasizes God's supreme authority and dominion over all creation. The title "God of heaven" is used to distinguish the God of Israel from the pagan gods of the surrounding nations, who were often associated with specific localities or natural phenomena. By addressing God as the "God of heaven," Nehemiah acknowledges His universal power and the belief that He is the ultimate ruler over all earthly and heavenly realms. This recognition is crucial for believers, as it affirms that no situation is beyond God's control.

the great and awesome God
The adjectives "great" and "awesome" highlight God's majesty and the reverential fear He inspires. The Hebrew word for "great" (gadol) conveys the idea of magnitude and importance, while "awesome" (yare) suggests a sense of awe and wonder. Nehemiah's description serves to remind believers of God's unparalleled greatness and the appropriate response of worship and reverence. It is a call to recognize God's power and holiness, which should inspire both confidence and humility in His followers.

who keeps His covenant
The concept of covenant is central to the biblical narrative, representing a binding agreement between God and His people. The Hebrew word for "keeps" (shamar) implies careful attention and faithfulness. Nehemiah acknowledges God's unwavering commitment to His promises, underscoring the reliability and trustworthiness of God. This assurance of God's faithfulness is a source of hope and encouragement for believers, affirming that God will fulfill His promises and remain true to His word.

of loving devotion
The phrase "loving devotion" translates the Hebrew word "chesed," which encompasses love, kindness, mercy, and loyalty. It is a covenantal term that describes God's steadfast love and enduring mercy towards His people. Nehemiah's recognition of God's "loving devotion" highlights the depth of God's commitment and care for His covenant people. For believers, this is a profound reminder of the unchanging and compassionate nature of God, who is always ready to extend grace and mercy.

with those who love Him
This phrase emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship. The Hebrew word for "love" (ahav) denotes deep affection and commitment. Nehemiah points out that God's covenantal blessings are extended to those who genuinely love Him, indicating that a personal and devoted relationship with God is essential. This serves as an encouragement for believers to cultivate a sincere love for God, which is expressed through obedience and faithfulness.

and keep His commandments
The word "keep" (shamar) is repeated here, reinforcing the idea of careful observance and adherence. Nehemiah underscores the importance of obedience to God's commandments as a demonstration of love and faithfulness. The commandments represent God's will and guidance for His people, and keeping them is a sign of loyalty and devotion. For believers, this is a call to live in accordance with God's word, recognizing that true love for God is manifested through obedience to His commands.

Verse 5. - And said, I beseech thee. The opening of Nehemiah's prayer follows so closely the thoughts and words of Daniel's (Daniel 9:4), that it is almost impossible to suppose that one of the two writers had not the words of the other before him. As there are no sufficient grounds for questioning the generally received date of Daniel's prophecy ( B.C. 536), we must suppose Nehemiah familiar with his writings, and an admirer of their tone and spirit. In this verse he differs from Daniel only in substituting "Jehovah" for "Lord" (Adonai), and introducing his own favourite phrase "God of heaven."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then I said:
וָאֹמַ֗ר (wā·’ō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I pray,
אָֽנָּ֤א (’ān·nā)
Interjection
Strong's 577: Ah, now! I (we) beseech you!

O LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of heaven,
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

the great
הַגָּד֖וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

and awesome
וְהַנּוֹרָ֑א (wə·han·nō·w·rā)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

God
הָאֵ֥ל (hā·’êl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

who keeps
שֹׁמֵ֤ר (šō·mêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

His covenant
הַבְּרִית֙ (hab·bə·rîṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

of loving devotion
וָחֶ֔סֶד (wā·ḥe·seḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

with those who love Him
לְאֹהֲבָ֖יו (lə·’ō·hă·ḇāw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

and keep
וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י (ū·lə·šō·mə·rê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

His commandments,
מִצְוֺתָֽיו׃ (miṣ·wō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4687: Commandment


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OT History: Nehemiah 1:5 And said I beg you Yahweh (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 1:4
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