Nehemiah 10:29
hereby join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the Law of God given through His servant Moses and to carefully obey all the commandments, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord.
hereby join with their noble brothers
This phrase indicates a collective commitment among the people of Israel, emphasizing unity and solidarity. The "noble brothers" likely refer to the leaders and influential figures among the Israelites, suggesting that the decision to renew the covenant was supported by those in authority. This unity is reminiscent of other biblical instances where leaders and people come together, such as in Joshua 24:15, where Joshua declares, "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

and commit themselves with a sworn oath
The act of making a sworn oath underscores the seriousness and solemnity of their commitment. In ancient Israel, oaths were binding and considered sacred, as seen in Deuteronomy 23:21-23, where vows to the LORD must be fulfilled. This reflects the cultural and religious importance of oaths in maintaining covenantal relationships with God.

to follow the Law of God given through His servant Moses
This phrase highlights the centrality of the Mosaic Law in the life of Israel. The Law, given at Mount Sinai, is foundational for Israel's identity and relationship with God. It includes moral, ceremonial, and civil instructions, as seen in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. The reference to Moses as "His servant" emphasizes Moses' role as a mediator between God and the people, prefiguring Christ as the ultimate mediator (Hebrews 3:5-6).

and to obey carefully all the commandments, ordinances, and statutes
The emphasis on careful obedience reflects the comprehensive nature of the Law, which includes commandments (moral laws), ordinances (ritual laws), and statutes (civil laws). This mirrors the call for holiness and complete devotion to God, as seen in Leviticus 19:2, "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." It also foreshadows the New Testament call to live according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4).

of the LORD our Lord
This phrase acknowledges the sovereignty and authority of God over Israel. The repetition of "LORD" underscores His covenantal name, Yahweh, and His personal relationship with His people. It reflects the biblical theme of God's lordship, as seen in Psalm 100:3, "Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His." This also points to the ultimate lordship of Christ, as affirmed in Philippians 2:11, "every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
A Jewish leader who played a crucial role in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the spiritual renewal of the people.

2. The Nobles
Leaders among the Israelites who, along with the rest of the people, committed to follow God's Law.

3. Moses
The servant of God through whom the Law was given, representing the covenantal foundation of Israel's relationship with God.

4. The Law of God
The commandments, ordinances, and statutes given to Israel, which the people pledged to obey.

5. The Covenant Renewal
The event where the Israelites recommitted themselves to the covenant with God, emphasizing obedience and accountability.
Teaching Points
Commitment to God's Word
The Israelites' binding themselves with a curse and an oath underscores the seriousness of their commitment to God's Law. As believers, we are called to a similar dedication to Scripture.

Community Accountability
The collective nature of the covenant renewal highlights the importance of community in spiritual growth and accountability.

Obedience and Blessing
Obedience to God's commandments is not just a duty but a pathway to experiencing His blessings and favor.

The Role of Leadership
The involvement of the nobles and leaders in the covenant renewal shows the importance of godly leadership in guiding and inspiring others toward faithfulness.

Renewal and Repentance
Regular renewal of our commitment to God, accompanied by repentance, is essential for maintaining a vibrant spiritual life.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the act of binding themselves with a curse and an oath reveal about the Israelites' understanding of their covenant with God?

2. How can we, as a church community, encourage one another to remain faithful to God's Word in our daily lives?

3. In what ways does the leadership in your church or community inspire you to commit to God's commandments?

4. How does the concept of covenant renewal in Nehemiah 10:29 apply to your personal spiritual journey?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the blessings of obedience to God's Word. How can this encourage you to continue in faithfulness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 29
This chapter describes the renewal of the covenant under Moses, similar to the renewal in Nehemiah's time, highlighting the continuity of God's covenant with His people.

Joshua 24
Joshua's call for Israel to choose whom they will serve parallels Nehemiah's call for commitment to God's Law.

Ezra 9-10
Ezra's reforms and the people's confession of sin set the stage for the covenant renewal in Nehemiah.

Psalm 119
This psalm emphasizes the importance of God's Law, reflecting the commitment seen in Nehemiah 10:29.

Romans 12:1-2
Paul's call for believers to present themselves as living sacrifices and be transformed by renewing their minds connects to the idea of covenant renewal and obedience.
Entering into CovenantW. Clarkson Nehemiah 10:1-37
A National CovenantThe ThinkerNehemiah 10:1-39
Covenant ComfortThe ThinkerNehemiah 10:1-39
Covenanting with GodW. Ritchie.Nehemiah 10:1-39
Solemn Engagement to Maintain the House of GodR.A. Redford Nehemiah 10:1-39
A Genuine RevivalT. Campbell Finlayson.Nehemiah 10:28-30
Marriage and PurityCanon Scott-Holland.Nehemiah 10:28-30
People
Aaron, Abijah, Adin, Adonijah, Ahiah, Ahijah, Amariah, Anaiah, Anan, Anathoth, Ater, Azaniah, Azariah, Azgad, Azzur, Baanah, Bani, Baruch, Bebai, Beninu, Bezai, Bigvai, Bilgai, Binnui, Bunni, Daniel, Elam, Ginnethon, Hachaliah, Hallohesh, Hanan, Hananiah, Harim, Hariph, Hashabiah, Hashabnah, Hashub, Hashum, Hasshub, Hattush, Henadad, Hezekiah, Hezir, Hizkijah, Hodiah, Hodijah, Hoshea, Jaddua, Jeremiah, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Kelita, Levi, Levites, Maaseiah, Maaziah, Magpiash, Malchijah, Malluch, Meremoth, Meshezabeel, Meshullam, Micha, Mijamin, Nebai, Nehemiah, Obadiah, Pahathmoab, Parosh, Pashur, Pelaiah, Pelatiah, Pileha, Rehob, Rehum, Seraiah, Shebaniah, Shemaiah, Sherebiah, Shobek, Zaccur, Zadok, Zatthu, Zattu, Zedekiah, Zidkijah
Places
Gate of Ephraim
Topics
Bind, Brethren, Brothers, Carefully, Clave, Cleaved, Commandments, Commands, Curse, Decisions, Decrees, Enter, Entered, Execration, Follow, God's, Hold, Honourable, Join, Joined, Joining, Judgments, Kinsmen, Law, Laying, Nobles, Oath, Obey, Observe, Ones, Orders, Ordinances, Regulations, Rulers, Rules, Servant, Statutes, Steps, Taking, Themselves, United, Walk
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 10:29

     8208   commitment, to God

Nehemiah 10:28-29

     1346   covenants, nature of

Library
The "Fraternity" of Pharisees
To realise the state of religious society at the time of our Lord, the fact that the Pharisees were a regular "order," and that there were many such "fraternities," in great measure the outcome of the original Pharisees, must always be kept in view. For the New Testament simply transports us among contemporary scenes and actors, taking the then existent state of things, so to speak, for granted. But the fact referred to explains many seemingly strange circumstances, and casts fresh light upon all.
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Formation of the Old Testament Canon
[Sidenote: Israel's literature at the beginning of the fourth century before Christ] Could we have studied the scriptures of the Israelitish race about 400 B.C., we should have classified them under four great divisions: (1) The prophetic writings, represented by the combined early Judean, Ephraimite, and late prophetic or Deuteronomic narratives, and their continuation in Samuel and Kings, together with the earlier and exilic prophecies; (2) the legal, represented by the majority of the Old Testament
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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