Nehemiah 9:23

Verse

You multiplied their descendants like the stars of heaven and brought them to the land You had told their fathers to enter and possess.

American Standard Version (1901)

Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land concerning which thou didst say to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.

Bible in Basic English

And you made their children as great in number as the stars of heaven, and took them into the land, of which you had said to their fathers that they were to go in and take it for themselves.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And thou didst multiply their children as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them to the land concerning which thou hadst said to their fathers, that they should go in and possess it.

Free Bible Version

You made their descendants as countless as the stars of heaven, and led them to the land you had promised their fathers they would enter and possess.

Geneva Bible 1599

And thou diddest multiplie their children, like the starres of the heauen, and broughtest them into the lande, whereof thou haddest spoken vnto their fathers, that they should goe, and possesse it.

King James (Authorized) Version

Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.

Translation for Translators

You caused our ancestors’ descendants to become as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into this land, the land that you told their fathers to enter and occupy.

Unlocked Literal Bible

You made their children as numerous as the stars of heaven, and you brought them into the land that you told their ancestors to go in and possess.

Noah Webster Bible

Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it .

World English Bible

You also multiplied their children as the stars of the sky, and brought them into the land concerning which you said to their fathers that they should go in to possess it.

Young's Literal Translation

And their sons Thou hast multiplied as the stars of the heavens, and bringest them in unto the land that Thou hast said to their fathers to go in to possess.

Context

The People Confess Their Sins

²²You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner of the land. So they took the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and of Og king of Bashan. ²³You multiplied their descendants like the stars of heaven and brought them to the land You had told their fathers to enter and possess. ²⁴So their descendants went in and possessed the land; You subdued before them the Canaanites dwelling in the land. You delivered into their hands the kings and peoples of the land, to do with them as they wished.

Summary

Nehemiah 9:23 recounts how God graciously led the Israelites into the promised land, delivering them from their enemies and providing for their needs in the wilderness. Despite their rebellion and unfaithfulness, God did not forsake them but continued to show mercy and compassion. This verse serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, patience, and enduring love towards His people, even in the face of their shortcomings. It underscores the importance of acknowledging God's sovereignty and provision in our lives, prompting gratitude and humility in response to His blessings.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven,.... Fulfilling the promise made to Abraham, Gen 15:5 their number when they came out of Egypt, and just before they entered into the land of Canaan, being upwards of 600,000 men, besides women and children, Exo 12:37 and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it; the land of Canaan, promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their seed, into which the Lord brought them by Joshua; he was the instrument, but the thing was of God.