Nehemiah 9:5
What does Nehemiah 9:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 9:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 9:5 means
The Levites summon the people to stand and bless Jehovah “from everlasting to everlasting,” exalting His glorious name above all blessing and praise. This call frames the entire prayer that follows. God is eternal and incomparable; no human words can fully capture His worth. Yet He is to be blessed—publicly acknowledged for who He is. The focus moves from human sorrow to divine greatness. When we begin with God’s character, confession and petition find their proper place. The verse reminds us that worship is not flattery but truthful proclamation of God’s majesty. It is a fitting doorway into recounting His mighty acts, for praise shapes how we remember history and how we ask for mercy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, andPethahiah, said, Stand up and bless Jehovah your God from everlasting to everlasting; and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, andPethahiah, said, Stand up and bless Jehovah your God from everlasting to everlasting; and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah said, Get up and give praise to the Lord your God for ever and ever. Praise be to your great name which is lifted up high over all blessing and praise.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the Levites say, <FI>even<Fi> Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, Pethahiah, `Rise, bless Jehovah your God, from the age unto the age, and they bless the name of Thine honour that <FI>is<Fi> exalted above all blessing and praise.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Levites Josue and Cedmihel, Bonni, Hasebnia, Serebia, Oduia, Sebnia, and Phathahia, said: Arise, bless the Lord your God from eternity to eternity: and blessed be the high name of thy glory with all blessing and praise.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, Pethahiah, said, Stand up, bless Jehovah yourGod from eternity to eternity. And let [men] bless the name of thy glory, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
Context
Having leaders in place, the assembly receives a direct exhortation to bless Jehovah. This establishes tone and direction before the historical review begins in verse 6. The people will remember creation, covenant with Abraham, the exodus, Sinai, wilderness provision, conquest, and the cycles of sin and mercy. Starting with praise ensures that Israel’s story is read under the light of God’s eternal goodness, not merely human failure.
v.4Then stood up upon the stairs of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto Jehovah their God.
v.5This passage
v.6Thou art Jehovah, even thou alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all that is in them, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 8:27
But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded!
- Psalms 16:2
O my soul, thou hast said unto Jehovah, Thou art my Lord: I have no good beyond thee.
- 1 Kings 8:14
And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the assembly of Israel: and all the assembly of Israel stood.
- Psalms 117:1
O praise Jehovah, all ye nations; Laud him, all ye peoples.
- Psalms 145:5
Of the glorious majesty of thine honor, And of thy wondrous works, will I meditate.
- Deuteronomy 28:58
If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, JEHOVAH THY GOD;
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