Nehemiah 9:19
What does Nehemiah 9:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 9:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 9:19 means
In spite of the molten calf and other provocations, God’s “manifold mercies” meant He did not forsake them. The cloud by day and fire by night continued to guide and shine. God’s faithfulness is not fragile; He remains present even when His people are inconsistent. The verse reassures a chastened community that past sins do not cancel divine compassion. Continued guidance in the wilderness shows that God’s long-term purposes endure beyond failures. He disciplines, but He does not desert. This sustaining presence offers hope for the present assembly: if God stayed with Israel then, He can uphold them now in their journey of renewal.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of cloud departed not from over them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way wherein they should go.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of cloud departed not from over them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way wherein they should go.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even then, in your great mercy, you did not give them up in the waste land: the pillar of cloud still went before them by day, guiding them on their way, and the pillar of fire by night, to give them light, and make clear the way they were to go.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Thou, in Thine abundant mercies, hast not forsaken them in the wilderness--the pillar of the cloud hath not turned aside from off them by day, to lead them in the way, and the pillar of the fire by night, to give light to them and the way in which they go.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Yet thou, in thy many mercies, didst not leave them in the desert: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day to lead them in the way, and the pillar of fire by night to shew them the way by which they should go.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud departed not from over them by day, to lead them on the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.
Context
After announcing the shock of idolatry, the prayer returns to God’s steadfast care. Verses 19–21 recount not only guidance but also instruction by the Spirit, daily manna, water, and preservation over forty years. This sequence deepens the portrait of undeserved mercy, which will stand in stark contrast to later cycles of disobedience after entering the land.
v.18Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;
v.19This passage
v.20Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 9:15
And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, even the tent of the testimony: and at even it was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until morning.
- Numbers 14:14
and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that thou Jehovah art in the midst of this people; for thou Jehovah art seen face to face, and thy cloud standeth over them, and thou goest before them, in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night.
- Isaiah 4:5
And Jehovah will create over the whole habitation of mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory shall be spread a covering.
- Psalms 106:45
And he remembered for them his covenant, And repented according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
- Daniel 9:18
O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies’ sake.
- 1 Samuel 12:22
For Jehovah will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake, because it hath pleased Jehovah to make you a people unto himself.
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