Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time. New Living Translation “But as soon as they were at peace, your people again committed evil in your sight, and once more you let their enemies conquer them. Yet whenever your people turned and cried to you again for help, you listened once more from heaven. In your wonderful mercy, you rescued them many times! English Standard Version But after they had rest they did evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies. Berean Standard Bible But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your compassion. King James Bible 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 the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies; New King James Version “But after they had rest, They again did evil before You. Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies, So that they had dominion over them; Yet when they returned and cried out to You, You heard from heaven; And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies, New American Standard Bible “But 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 out again to You, You heard from heaven, And many times You rescued them according to Your compassion, NASB 1995 “But 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, NASB 1977 “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, Legacy Standard Bible But as soon as they had rest, they returned to do evil before You; Therefore You forsook them in the hand of their enemies, so they had dominion over them. Then they returned and cried to You. And You listened from heaven, And many times You delivered them according to Your compassion, Amplified Bible “But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil before You; Therefore You abandoned them into the hand of their enemies, so that they ruled over them. Yet when they turned and cried out again to You, You heard them from heaven, And You rescued them many times in accordance with Your compassion, Christian Standard Bible But as soon as they had relief, they again did what was evil in your sight. So you abandoned them to the power of their enemies, who dominated them. When they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven and rescued them many times in your compassion. Holman Christian Standard Bible But as soon as they had relief, they again did what was evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the power of their enemies, who dominated them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven and rescued them many times in Your compassion. American Standard Version 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 the 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, Contemporary English Version But when they were at peace, they would turn against you, and you would hand them over to their enemies. Then they would beg for help, and because you are merciful, you rescued them over and over again. English Revised Version 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 the 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; GOD'S WORD® Translation As soon as they felt some relief, they were again doing what you considered evil. You abandoned them to their enemies, who conquered them. They cried to you again, and you heard them from heaven. You rescued them many times because of your compassion. Good News Translation When peace returned, they sinned again, and again you let their enemies conquer them. Yet when they repented and asked you to save them, in heaven you heard, and time after time you rescued them in your great mercy. International Standard Version "But after they had gained relief, they returned to doing evil before you. Therefore you abandoned them to the control of their enemies, who continued to oppress them. But when they came back and cried out to you, you listened from heaven and delivered them in your compassion on many occasions. NET Bible "Then, when they were at rest again, they went back to doing evil before you. Then you abandoned them to their enemies, and they gained dominion over them. When they again cried out to you, in your compassion you heard from heaven and rescued them time and again. New Heart English Bible But after they had rest, they did evil again before you; therefore left you them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them; yet when they returned, and cried to you, you heard from heaven; and many times you delivered them according to your mercies, Webster's Bible Translation But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore thou leftest them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned and cried to thee, thou hearedest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your compassion. World English Bible But after they had rest, they did evil again before you; therefore you left them in the hands of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them; yet when they returned and cried to you, you heard from heaven; and many times you delivered them according to your mercies, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd when they have rest, "" They turn back to do evil before You, "" And You leave them in the hand of their enemies, "" And they rule over them; And they return, and call You, "" And You hear from the heavens, "" And deliver them many times, "" According to Your mercies, Young's Literal Translation 'And when they have rest, they turn back to do evil before Thee, and Thou dost leave them in the hand of their enemies, and they rule over them; and they turn back, and call Thee, and Thou from the heavens dost hear, and dost deliver them, according to Thy mercies, many times, Smith's Literal Translation And when rest to them they will turn back to do evil before thee: and thou wilt leave them in the hand of their enemies, and they will come down upon them: and they will turn back and cry to thee, and thou from the heavens wilt hear, and wilt deliver them according to thy compassion, many times. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut after they had rest, they returned to do evil in thy sight : and thou leftest them in the hand of their enemies, and they had dominion over them. Then they returned, and cried to thee: and thou heardest from heaven, and deliveredst them many times in thy mercies. Catholic Public Domain Version But after they had rested, they turned back, so that they did evil in your sight. And you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, and they possessed them. And they converted, and they cried out to you. And from heaven you heeded them, and you freed them many times, by your mercies. New American Bible As soon as they had relief, they would go back to doing evil in your sight. Again you abandoned them to the power of their enemies, who crushed them. Once again they cried out to you, and you heard them from heaven and delivered them according to your mercy, many times over. New Revised Standard Version But after they had rest, they again did evil before you, and you abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them; yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you rescued them according to your mercies. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut after they had rest, they did evil again before thee; therefore thou didst leave them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them; yet when they returned and prayed before thee, thou didst hear them from heaven; and many times didst thou save them according to thy great mercies. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And when you relieved them, they returned to do what is hateful before you, and you turned them over into the hands of their enemies, and they subdued them, and they turned and they prayed in your presence, and you heard from Heaven, and you saved them every time according to the abundance of your mercies. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But after they had rest, they did evil again before Thee; therefore didst Thou leave them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them; yet when they returned, and cried unto Thee, many times didst Thou hear from heaven, and deliver them according to Thy mercies; Brenton Septuagint Translation But when they rested, they did evil again before thee: so thou leftest them in the hands of their enemies, and they ruled over them: and they cried again to thee, and thou heardest them from heaven, and didst deliver them in thy great compassions. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The People Confess Their Sins…27So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies. 28But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your compassion. 29You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They stubbornly shrugged their shoulders; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.… Cross References Judges 2:18-19 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them. / But when the judge died, the Israelites became even more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods to serve them and bow down to them. They would not give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. Judges 3:9-11 But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised up Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz as a deliverer to save them. / The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him. / So the land had rest for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died. Judges 3:15 And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. So they sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Judges 4:3 Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, because Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and he had harshly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Judges 6:7-10 Now when the Israelites cried out to the LORD because of Midian, / He sent them a prophet, who told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. / I delivered you out of the hands of Egypt and all your oppressors. I drove them out before you and gave you their land. ... Judges 10:10-16 Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against You, for we have indeed forsaken our God and served the Baals.” / The LORD replied, “When the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, / Sidonians, Amalekites, and Maonites oppressed you and you cried out to Me, did I not save you from their hands? ... 2 Kings 13:4-5 Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him because He saw the oppression that the king of Aram had inflicted on Israel. / So the LORD gave Israel a deliverer, and they escaped the power of the Arameans. Then the people of Israel lived in their own homes as they had before. Psalm 106:43-45 Many times He rescued them, but they were bent on rebellion and sank down in their iniquity. / Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress. / And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion. Isaiah 63:8-9 For He said, “They are surely My people, sons who will not be disloyal.” So He became their Savior. / In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Jeremiah 31:18-20 I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. / After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ / Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD. Hosea 5:15 Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” Hosea 6:1-2 Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds. / After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence. Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! Luke 15:11-32 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. / The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. / After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. ... Acts 7:34 I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’ Treasury of Scripture But after they had rest, they did evil again before you: therefore left you them in the land of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried to you, you heard them from heaven; and many times did you deliver them according to your mercies; did evil again. Judges 3:11,12,30 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died… Judges 4:1 And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. Judges 5:31 So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years. heardest 1 Kings 8:33,34,39 When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: … Isaiah 63:15 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained? many times Psalm 106:43-45 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity… Jump to Previous Cried Deliver Dominion Enemies Evil Hand Hear Heard Heardest Hearedest Heaven Mercies Rest TimesJump to Next Cried Deliver Dominion Enemies Evil Hand Hear Heard Heardest Hearedest Heaven Mercies Rest TimesNehemiah 9 1. A solemn fast, and repentance of the people4. The Levites make a confession of God's goodness, and their wickedness But as soon as they had rest This phrase highlights a recurring cycle in Israel's history where periods of peace and prosperity often led to complacency and spiritual decline. The "rest" refers to times when God delivered Israel from their enemies, providing them with peace. This pattern is evident throughout the Book of Judges, where Israel repeatedly turned away from God after experiencing deliverance and rest (Judges 2:18-19). It underscores the human tendency to forget God in times of comfort and security. they again did evil in Your sight So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies who had dominion over them When they cried out to You again You heard from heaven and You delivered them many times in Your compassion Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe people of God who repeatedly turned away from Him, yet cried out for deliverance. 2. Enemies The foreign nations that God allowed to rule over the Israelites as a consequence of their disobedience. 3. God The compassionate and merciful deity who hears the cries of His people and delivers them. 4. Nehemiah The leader who helped rebuild Jerusalem's walls and led the people in spiritual renewal. 5. Heaven The dwelling place of God, from where He hears and responds to the cries of His people. Teaching Points The Cycle of Sin and RedemptionRecognize the pattern of sin, consequence, repentance, and deliverance in our own lives. We must be vigilant to break this cycle through consistent obedience and reliance on God. God's Compassionate Nature Despite our failures, God is always ready to hear our cries and extend His mercy. This should encourage us to approach Him with confidence and repentance. The Consequences of Disobedience Understand that turning away from God leads to negative consequences, not because God is punitive, but because He desires our growth and return to Him. The Power of Repentance True repentance involves a heartfelt turning back to God, which He honors by restoring and rescuing us. The Importance of Spiritual Leadership Like Nehemiah, we need leaders who guide us back to God and help us rebuild our spiritual lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 9:28?2. How does Nehemiah 9:28 illustrate God's mercy despite Israel's repeated disobedience? 3. What can we learn about repentance from Nehemiah 9:28's cycle of behavior? 4. How does Nehemiah 9:28 connect to the theme of God's faithfulness in Scripture? 5. In what ways can we apply Nehemiah 9:28 to our personal spiritual struggles? 6. How does Nehemiah 9:28 encourage perseverance in prayer for those who stray? 7. How does Nehemiah 9:28 illustrate the cycle of sin and redemption in human nature? 8. What does Nehemiah 9:28 reveal about God's patience and mercy towards His people? 9. How does the historical context of Nehemiah 9:28 enhance its message of repentance? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 9? 11. What was Nehemiah's role in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls? 12. How do the severe punishments in Deuteronomy 28 compare with the portrayal of a merciful God in other parts of the Bible (e.g., Psalm 145:9)? 13. In 1 Chronicles 28:3, why would a God of peace forbid David from building the temple simply because he had shed blood, yet historically use wars and conquests to establish Israel? 14. Nehemiah 4:4-5: Why would a just and merciful God sanction curses against enemies, conflicting with later teachings of forgiveness? What Does Nehemiah 9:28 Mean But as soon as they had restIsrael enjoyed seasons of calm whenever the LORD stepped in, yet those peaceful stretches became dangerous because they exposed what was in the nation’s heart. • This pattern echoes Deuteronomy 8:10-14, where God warned that prosperity would tempt the people to forget Him. • Judges 3:11-12 shows the exact rhythm Nehemiah recalls—“The land had rest forty years… but the Israelites again did evil in the sight of the LORD.” The verse reminds us that rest is a gift meant to deepen gratitude and obedience, not to foster complacency. they again did evil in Your sight The relapse is personal: evil “in Your sight.” Israel’s real offense was not merely social disorder but open rebellion before the One who sees all. • 2 Kings 17:13-17 lists specific sins—idolatry, occult practices, injustice—that provoked God. • Psalm 78:56-57 adds that they “turned back and were faithless like their fathers.” Sin is never anonymous; it is committed under God’s gaze, underscoring accountability. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them Divine abandonment does not mean God ceases to exist; it means He removes protective favor and lets consequences run their course. • Deuteronomy 31:17 foretold, “My anger will flare against them on that day, and I will forsake them.” • Judges 2:14 confirms the fulfillment: “He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them.” God’s discipline is corrective, not vindictive—designed to steer His people back to covenant faithfulness. When they cried out to You again Suffering finally compelled Israel to turn upward rather than outward. Their cry is an act of repentance that acknowledges both guilt and dependence. • Exodus 2:23-25 shows the precedent: God heard the groaning of His people in Egypt. • Psalm 107:13 models the same: “Then they cried out to the LORD in their distress.” The verse underscores God’s readiness to receive true penitence, no matter how many times it is needed. You heard from heaven Hearing denotes more than passive awareness; it signals divine engagement. Heaven, God’s throne (Isaiah 66:1), is the seat of sovereign authority, from which He intervenes. • 2 Chronicles 7:14 promises, “I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin.” God’s heavenly hearing assures believers that earthly cries reach the highest court. and You delivered them many times in Your compassion Deliverance wasn’t a one-time event but a repeated mercy. • Judges 10:11-12 lists several rescues: “the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines…” • Psalm 106:43 confirms, “Many times He rescued them.” Compassion (Exodus 34:6) is central to God’s character; therefore, His patience outlasts Israel’s failures. Each rescue renews covenant hope and magnifies divine grace. summary Nehemiah 9:28 captures the tragic-yet-hopeful cycle of Israel’s history: rest, relapse, retribution, repentance, and rescue. The verse teaches that God’s blessings are meant to reinforce obedience, that sin is serious because it is done before God’s eyes, and that divine discipline aims to restore, not destroy. Most importantly, it exalts the Lord’s inexhaustible compassion—He hears, He forgives, and He delivers, time after undeserved time. Verse 28. - After they had rest. See Judges 3:11, 30; Judges 5:31; Judges 8:28.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But as soon as they had rest,וּכְנ֣וֹחַ (ū·ḵə·nō·w·aḥ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5117: To rest, settle down they again יָשׁ֕וּבוּ (yā·šū·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again did לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6213: To do, make evil רַ֖ע (ra‘) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil in Your sight. לְפָנֶ֑יךָ (lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face So You abandoned them וַתַּֽעַזְבֵ֞ם (wat·ta·‘az·ḇêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit to the hands בְּיַ֤ד (bə·yaḏ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3027: A hand of their enemies, אֹֽיְבֵיהֶם֙ (’ō·yə·ḇê·hem) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary who had dominion וַיִּרְדּ֣וּ (way·yir·dū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7287: To tread down, subjugate, to crumble off over them. בָהֶ֔ם (ḇā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew When they cried out וַיִּזְעָק֔וּךָ (way·yiz·‘ā·qū·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | second person masculine singular Strong's 2199: To shriek, to announce, convene publicly to You again, וַיָּשׁ֙וּבוּ֙ (way·yā·šū·ḇū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again You וְאַתָּ֞ה (wə·’at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you heard תִּשְׁמַ֛ע (tiš·ma‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently from heaven, מִשָּׁמַ֧יִם (miš·šā·ma·yim) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky And You delivered them וְתַצִּילֵ֥ם (wə·ṯaṣ·ṣî·lêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver many רַבּ֥וֹת (rab·bō·wṯ) Adjective - feminine plural Strong's 7227: Much, many, great times עִתִּֽים׃ (‘it·tîm) Noun - common plural Strong's 6256: Time, now, when in Your compassion. כְּֽרַחֲמֶ֖יךָ (kə·ra·ḥă·me·ḵā) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7356: Compassion, the womb, a maiden Links Nehemiah 9:28 NIVNehemiah 9:28 NLT Nehemiah 9:28 ESV Nehemiah 9:28 NASB Nehemiah 9:28 KJV Nehemiah 9:28 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 9:28 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 9:28 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 9:28 French Bible Nehemiah 9:28 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 9:28 But after they had rest they did (Neh Ne) |
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