Nehemiah 9:8
New International Version
You found his heart faithful to you, and you made a covenant with him to give to his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Girgashites. You have kept your promise because you are righteous.

New Living Translation
When he had proved himself faithful, you made a covenant with him to give him and his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites. And you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word.

English Standard Version
You found his heart faithful before you, and made with him the covenant to give to his offspring the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite. And you have kept your promise, for you are righteous.

Berean Standard Bible
You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous.

King James Bible
And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:

New King James Version
You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him To give the land of the Canaanites, The Hittites, the Amorites, The Perizzites, the Jebusites, And the Girgashites— To give it to his descendants. You have performed Your words, For You are righteous.

New American Standard Bible
“You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him To give him the land of the Canaanite, Of the Hittite and the Amorite, Of the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite— To give it to his descendants. And You have fulfilled Your promise, Because You are righteous.

NASB 1995
“You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him To give him the land of the Canaanite, Of the Hittite and the Amorite, Of the Perizzite, the Jebusite and the Girgashite— To give it to his descendants. And You have fulfilled Your promise, For You are righteous.

NASB 1977
“And Thou didst find his heart faithful before Thee, And didst make a covenant with him To give him the land of the Canaanite, Of the Hittite and the Amorite, Of the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite— To give it to his descendants. And Thou hast fulfilled Thy promise, For Thou art righteous.

Legacy Standard Bible
You found his heart faithful before You, And cut a covenant with him To give him the land of the Canaanite, Of the Hittite and the Amorite, Of the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite— To give it to his seed. And You have established Your promise, For You are righteous.

Amplified Bible
“You found his heart to be faithful before You, And You made a covenant with him To give him the land of the Canaanite, Of the Hittite, of the Amorite, Of the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite— To give it to his descendants. And You have fulfilled Your promise, For You are righteous and just.

Christian Standard Bible
You found his heart faithful in your sight, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites — to give it to his descendants. You have fulfilled your promise, for you are righteous.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You found his heart faithful in Your sight, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites— to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, for You are righteous.

American Standard Version
and foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, to give it unto his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous.

Contemporary English Version
Because he was faithful, you made an agreement to give his descendants the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, and of the Jebusites and Girgashites. Now you have kept your promise, just as you always do.

English Revised Version
and foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, even to give it unto his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You found that his heart was faithful to you. You made a promise to him to give the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites to his descendants. You kept your promise because you are fair.

Good News Translation
You found that he was faithful to you, and you made a covenant with him. You promised to give him the land of the Canaanites, the land of the Hittites and the Amorites, the land of the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Girgashites, to be a land where his descendants would live. You kept your promise, because you are faithful.

International Standard Version
You found him faithful in your sight; you made a covenant with him and you gave the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, and the Girgashites to his descendants. And you have kept your word, because you are righteous.

Majority Standard Bible
You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous.

NET Bible
When you perceived that his heart was faithful toward you, you established a covenant with him to give his descendants the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, and the Girgashites. You have fulfilled your promise, for you are righteous.

New Heart English Bible
and found his heart faithful before you, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hethite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, to give it to his descendants, and have performed your words; for you are righteous.

Webster's Bible Translation
And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him, to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:

World English Bible
found his heart faithful before you, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, to give it to his offspring, and have performed your words, for you are righteous.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And found his heart steadfast before You, "" So as to make with him the covenant, "" To give the land of the Canaanite, "" The Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, "" To give [it] to his seed. And You establish Your words, "" For You [are] righteous,

Young's Literal Translation
and didst find his heart stedfast before Thee, so as to make with him the covenant, to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, to give it to his seed. 'And Thou dost establish Thy words, for Thou art righteous,

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou didst find his heart faithful before thee, and thou didst cut out a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perezzites, the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give to his seed: and thou wilt set up thy words, for thou art just:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou didst find his heart faithful before thee: and thou madest a covenant with him, to give him the land of the Chanaanite, of the Hethite, and of the Amorrhite, and of the Pherezite, and of the Jebusite, and of the Gergezite, to give it to his seed: and thou hast fulfilled thy words, because thou art just.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you found his heart to be faithful before you. And you formed a covenant with him, so that you might give to him the land of the Canaanite, of the Hittite, and of the Amorite, and of the Perizzite, and of the Jebusite, and of the Girgashite, so that you might give it to his offspring. And you have fulfilled your words, for you are just.

New American Bible
You found his heart faithful in your sight, you made the covenant with him To give the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites to him and his descendants. You fulfilled your promises, for you are just.

New Revised Standard Version
and you found his heart faithful before you, and made with him a covenant to give to his descendants the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite; and you have fulfilled your promise, for you are righteous.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And didst find his heart pure before thee, and didst make a covenant with him to give him the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it to his descendants, and thou hast performed thy words with him, for thou art righteous;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you found his heart pure before you, and you swore to him an oath to give him the land of the Canaanites and of the Khethites and of the Amorites and of the Perezites and of the Khivites and of the Yebusites and of the Gergusites, to give to his seed, and you confirmed your words with him, because you are righteous.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and foundest his heart faithful before Thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, even to give it unto his seed, and hast performed Thy words; for Thou art righteous;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and thou foundest his heart faithful before thee, and didst make a covenant with him to give to him and to his seed the land of the Chananites, and the Chettites, and Amorites, and Pherezites, and Jebusites, and Gergesites; and thou hast confirmed thy words, for thou art righteous.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The People Confess Their Sins
7You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram, who brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham. 8You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites— to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous. 9You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt; You heard their cry at the Red Sea.…

Cross References
Genesis 15:6
Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Genesis 17:4-8
“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. / No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. / I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you. ...

Genesis 12:1-3
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 22:16-18
saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, / I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Romans 4:3
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Galatians 3:6-9
So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” / Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ...

Hebrews 11:8-12
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. / By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ...

Genesis 26:3-5
Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. / I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, / because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

Genesis 28:13-15
And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Exodus 32:13
Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’”

Deuteronomy 7:8-9
But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. / 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.

Psalm 105:8-11
He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ...

Luke 1:72-73
to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, / the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

Acts 3:25
And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’

Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.


Treasury of Scripture

And found his heart faithful before you, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and have performed your words; for you are righteous:

foundest

Genesis 12:1-3
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: …

Genesis 15:6,18
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness…

Genesis 22:12
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

madest

Genesis 12:7
And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Genesis 15:18
In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Genesis 17:7,8
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…

the Canaanites

Genesis 15:18-21
In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: …

Exodus 3:8,17
And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites…

Deuteronomy 7:1
When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

hast performed

Deuteronomy 26:3
And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the LORD thy God, that I am come unto the country which the LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us.

Joshua 11:23
So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.

Joshua 21:43-45
And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein…

righteous

Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Psalm 92:14,15
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; …

Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

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Amorite Amorites Canaanite Canaanites Covenant Faithful Found Girgashite Girgashites Heart Hittite Hittites Jebusite Jebusites Madest Performed Perizzite Perizzites Righteous Seed Words
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Amorite Amorites Canaanite Canaanites Covenant Faithful Found Girgashite Girgashites Heart Hittite Hittites Jebusite Jebusites Madest Performed Perizzite Perizzites Righteous Seed Words
Nehemiah 9
1. A solemn fast, and repentance of the people
4. The Levites make a confession of God's goodness, and their wickedness














You found his heart faithful before You
This phrase highlights the divine recognition of Abraham's faithfulness. The Hebrew word for "heart" (לֵב, lev) often signifies the inner self or will, indicating that Abraham's faithfulness was not merely external but deeply rooted in his being. The term "faithful" (נֶאֱמָן, ne'eman) suggests steadfastness and reliability. In a historical context, Abraham's faith was tested numerous times, yet he remained unwavering in his trust in God. This faithfulness is a model for believers, emphasizing the importance of a heart fully committed to God.

and You made a covenant with him
The concept of a "covenant" (בְּרִית, berit) is central to the biblical narrative, representing a solemn and binding agreement initiated by God. In ancient Near Eastern culture, covenants were serious commitments, often sealed with rituals. God's covenant with Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 15, was a divine promise that established a unique relationship between God and Abraham's descendants. This covenant underscores God's initiative and grace, as it was God who reached out to Abraham, setting the foundation for the unfolding plan of redemption.

to give to his descendants the land
The promise of land is a recurring theme in the Abrahamic covenant. The Hebrew word for "descendants" (זֶרַע, zera) can also mean "seed," indicating both physical offspring and a broader spiritual lineage. The land promise was not just about physical territory but symbolized a place of blessing and divine presence. Historically, the land of Canaan was a fertile and strategic region, and its possession was integral to the identity and mission of Israel as God's chosen people.

of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites
These names represent the various peoples inhabiting the Promised Land at the time of the covenant. Archaeological findings have confirmed the existence of these groups, each with distinct cultures and practices. The mention of these nations highlights the magnitude of God's promise, as these were established societies with fortified cities. Theologically, the conquest of these lands by Israel was seen as a divine act of judgment against the nations' idolatry and immorality, as well as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.

You have kept Your promise
This statement affirms God's faithfulness and reliability. The Hebrew root for "kept" (שָׁמַר, shamar) implies careful watching and preserving. Throughout Israel's history, despite their unfaithfulness, God remained true to His word. This assurance of God's faithfulness is a cornerstone of Christian belief, providing confidence that God will fulfill His promises to His people.

because You are righteous
The term "righteous" (צַדִּיק, tsaddik) in Hebrew conveys the idea of being just, morally upright, and faithful to one's commitments. God's righteousness is not merely a legal attribute but is deeply relational, ensuring that He acts consistently with His character and promises. This righteousness is the basis for trust in God's covenantal faithfulness, offering believers assurance that God's actions are always in alignment with His holy nature.

(8) The Hivites are for some reason omitted.

Verse 8. - Canaanites, etc. The nations driven out were actually seven (Deuteronomy 7:1), but it is a common figure of speech to put the part for the whole. In the present enumeration the Hivites are omitted. Hast performed thy words. Though for a time remnants of the accursed nations were left in the land, "to prove Israel" (Judges 3:1), yet ultimately all were either driven out or reduced to the condition of slaves (see the comment on Ezra 2:55).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You found
וּמָצָ֣אתָ (ū·mā·ṣā·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

his heart
לְבָבוֹ֮ (lə·ḇā·ḇōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

faithful
נֶאֱמָ֣ן (ne·’ĕ·mān)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 539: To confirm, support

before You,
לְפָנֶיךָ֒ (lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

and made
וְכָר֨וֹת (wə·ḵā·rō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

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

with him
עִמּ֜וֹ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

to give
לָתֵ֡ת (lā·ṯêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the land
אֶרֶץ֩ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of the Canaanites
הַכְּנַעֲנִ֨י (hak·kə·na·‘ă·nî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3669: Canaanite -- inhabitant of Canaan

and Hittites,
הַחִתִּ֜י (ha·ḥit·tî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2850: Hittite -- a Chittite

of the Amorites
הָאֱמֹרִ֧י (hā·’ĕ·mō·rî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 567: Amorites -- perhaps 'mountain dwellers', a Canaanite tribe

and Perizzites,
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֛י (wə·hap·pə·riz·zî)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6522: Perizzite -- a people in the land of Canaan

of the Jebusites
וְהַיְבוּסִ֥י (wə·hay·ḇū·sî)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2983: Jebusite -- inhabitant of Jebus

and Girgashites,
וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֖י (wə·hag·gir·gā·šî)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1622: Girgashite -- a native tribe of Canaan

to give it
לָתֵ֣ת (lā·ṯêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to his descendants.
לְזַרְע֑וֹ (lə·zar·‘ōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

You have kept
וַתָּ֙קֶם֙ (wat·tā·qem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

Your promise,
דְּבָרֶ֔יךָ (də·ḇā·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

You
אָֽתָּה׃ (’āt·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are righteous.
צַדִּ֖יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous


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OT History: Nehemiah 9:8 And found his heart faithful before you (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 9:7
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