Nehemiah 9:33
What does Nehemiah 9:33 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 9:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 9:33 means
They confess God’s justice in all that has come upon them: He has dealt truly; they have acted wickedly. This is theologically vital. They do not blame fate, foreign powers, or even merely their ancestors. They accept that their suffering is deserved under God’s righteous rule. Such confession clears the ground for mercy, because it aligns their lips with God’s assessment. It also honors God’s holiness, affirming that His judgments are never arbitrary or cruel. Owning guilt is itself an act of faith, trusting that the God who judges truly can also forgive truly. Repentance without excuses opens the way for restoration.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Howbeit thou art just in all that is come upon us; for thou hast dealt truly, but we have done wickedly;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Howbeit thou art just in all that is come upon us; for thou hast dealt truly, but we have done wickedly;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But still, you have been in the right in everything which has come on us; you have been true to us, but we have done evil:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Thou <FI>art<Fi> righteous concerning all that hath come upon us, for truth Thou hast done, and we have done wickedly;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And thou art just in all things that have come upon us: because thou hast done truth, but we have done wickedly.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But thou art just in all that is come upon us; for thou hast acted according to truth, and we have done wickedly.
Context
After appealing to God’s covenant faithfulness, the prayer immediately balances petition with confession. Verse 33 is a summary of accountability, which verses 34–35 will expand by naming the failure of leaders and the ingratitude shown even amid prosperity. This deepened confession strengthens the integrity of their plea and prepares for the acknowledgment of present servitude in verses 36–37.
v.32Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and lovingkindness, let not all the travail seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.
v.33This passage
v.34neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies wherewith thou didst testify against them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 145:17
Jehovah is righteous in all his ways, And gracious in all his works.
- Job 33:27
He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not:
- Daniel 9:5
we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from thy precepts and from thine ordinances;
- Psalms 119:137
Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, And upright are thy judgments.
- Genesis 18:25
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
- Lamentations 1:18
Jehovah is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: Hear, I pray you, all ye peoples, and behold my sorrow: My virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
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