Nehemiah 9:31
Nehemiah 9:31 in Multiple Translations
But in Your great compassion, You did not put an end to them; nor did You forsake them, for You are a gracious and compassionate God.
Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
Nevertheless in thy manifold mercies thou didst not make a full end of them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
Even then, in your great mercy, you did not put an end to them completely, or give them up; for you are a God of grace and mercy.
But because of your wonderful mercy you did not finish with them, and you did not abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
Yet for thy great mercies thou hast not consumed them, neither forsaken them: for thou art a gracious and mercifull God.
and in Thine abundant mercies Thou hast not made them a consumption, nor hast forsaken them; for a God, gracious and merciful, [art] Thou.
“Nevertheless in your manifold mercies you didn’t make a full end of them, nor forsake them; for you are a gracious and merciful God.
Nevertheless, for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
Yet in thy very many mercies thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them: because thou art a merciful and gracious God.
But because you act very mercifully, you did not get rid of them completely or abandon them forever. You are a very gracious/kind and merciful God!
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 9:31
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Nehemiah 9:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּֽ/בְ/רַחֲמֶ֧י/ךָ
הָ/רַבִּ֛ים
לֹֽא
עֲשִׂיתָ֥/ם
כָּלָ֖ה
וְ/לֹ֣א
עֲזַבְתָּ֑/ם
כִּ֛י
אֵֽל
חַנּ֥וּן
וְ/רַח֖וּם
אָֽתָּה
וּֽ/בְ/רַחֲמֶ֧י/ךָ
racham
H7356
womb
Conj | Prep | N-mp | Suff
הָ/רַבִּ֛ים
rab
H7227
many
Art | Adj
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
עֲשִׂיתָ֥/ם
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
כָּלָ֖ה
kâlâh
H3617
consumption
N-fs
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
עֲזַבְתָּ֑/ם
ʻâzab
H5800
Forsaken
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֵֽל
ʼêl
H410
god
N-ms
חַנּ֥וּן
channûwn
H2587
gracious
Adj
וְ/רַח֖וּם
rachûwm
H7349
compassionate
Conj | Adj
אָֽתָּה
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 9:31
וּֽ/בְ/רַחֲמֶ֧י/ךָ
racham
H7356
"womb"
Conj | Prep | N-mp | Suff
This word refers to compassion or tender love, often describing God's feelings towards people. It can also mean the womb, symbolizing care and nurturing. The KJV translates it as compassion, mercy, or pity.
Definition: womb Another spelling of re.chem (רֶ֫חֶם "womb" H7358)
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: bowels, compassion, damsel, tender love, (great, tender) mercy, pity, womb. See also: Genesis 43:14; Psalms 106:46; Psalms 25:6.
הָ/רַבִּ֛ים
rab
H7227
"many"
Art | Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
עֲשִׂיתָ֥/ם
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
כָּלָ֖ה
kâlâh
H3617
"consumption"
N-fs
This word refers to the act of completely destroying or consuming something, like the complete destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:28.
Definition: 1) completion, termination, full end, complete destruction, consumption, annihilation 1a) completion 1a1) completely, altogether (adv) 1b) complete destruction, consumption, annihilation
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: altogether, (be, utterly) consume(-d), consummation(-ption), was determined, (full, utter) end, riddance. See also: Genesis 18:21; Jeremiah 5:18; Isaiah 10:23.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
עֲזַבְתָּ֑/ם
ʻâzab
H5800
"Forsaken"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Definition: This name means to restore, repair Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 206 OT verses. KJV: commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:24; Nehemiah 5:10; Psalms 9:11.
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֵֽל
ʼêl
H410
"god"
N-ms
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Definition: : god 1) god, god-like one, mighty one 1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes 1b) angels 1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations) 1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah 2) mighty things in nature 3) strength, power Also means: ": power" (el אֵל H0410L)
Usage: Occurs in 235 OT verses. KJV: God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.' See also: Genesis 14:18; Job 33:14; Psalms 5:5.
חַנּ֥וּן
channûwn
H2587
"gracious"
Adj
The Hebrew word for gracious describes God's kind and merciful nature, showing His love and care for humanity.
Definition: gracious
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: gracious. See also: Exodus 22:26; Psalms 103:8; Psalms 86:15.
וְ/רַח֖וּם
rachûwm
H7349
"compassionate"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for compassionate describes God's merciful nature. It is used to convey God's kindness and sympathy towards humanity, often in the context of his relationship with his people. This concept is central to the Bible's portrayal of God's character.
Definition: 1) compassionate 1a) always of God with one possible exception
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: full of compassion, merciful. See also: Exodus 34:6; Psalms 86:15; Psalms 78:38.
אָֽתָּה
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
Study Notes — Nehemiah 9:31
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The People Confess Their Sins
29You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.
30You were patient with them for many years, and Your Spirit admonished them through Your prophets. Yet they would not listen, so You gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.
31But in Your great compassion, You did not put an end to them; nor did You forsake them, for You are a gracious and compassionate God.
32So now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God who keeps His gracious covenant, do not view lightly all the hardship that has come upon us, and upon our kings and leaders, our priests and prophets, our ancestors and all Your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. 33You are just in all that has befallen us, because You have acted faithfully, while we have acted wickedly.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 3:22 | Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 4:27 | For this is what the LORD says: “The whole land will be desolate, but I will not finish its destruction. |
| 3 | Nehemiah 9:17 | They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them. |
| 4 | Exodus 34:6–7 | Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” |
| 5 | Psalms 103:8–9 | The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 5:18 | “Yet even in those days,” declares the LORD, “I will not make a full end of you. |
| 7 | Psalms 145:8–9 | The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion. The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 5:10 | Go up through her vineyards and ravage them, but do not finish them off. Strip off her branches, for they do not belong to the LORD. |
| 9 | Daniel 9:9 | To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him |
| 10 | 2 Kings 13:23 | But the LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, and He turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day, the LORD has been unwilling to destroy them or cast them from His presence. |
Nehemiah 9:31 Summary
[Nehemiah 9:31 tells us that even when the Israelites disobeyed God, He didn't give up on them because He is a gracious and compassionate God. This means He is full of love and mercy, as we see in Psalm 103:8. He wants to forgive and restore us, just like He did with the Israelites, if we turn back to Him (as encouraged in 1 John 1:9).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God is a 'gracious and compassionate God' in Nehemiah 9:31?
This phrase highlights God's loving and merciful nature, as seen in His actions throughout the Bible, such as in Exodus 34:6 and Psalm 103:8, where He is described as 'abounding in love and faithfulness' and 'compassionate and gracious'
Why did God not put an end to the Israelites despite their disobedience?
God's great compassion and grace motivated Him to spare the Israelites, demonstrating His long-suffering and patient character, as also seen in Romans 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9
How does Nehemiah 9:31 relate to God's covenant with the Israelites?
This verse shows that despite the Israelites' unfaithfulness, God remained faithful to His covenant promises, as expressed in Deuteronomy 7:9 and 1 Kings 8:23, highlighting His commitment to His people
What can we learn from God's response to the Israelites' disobedience in Nehemiah 9:31?
We can learn about God's mercy and patience, as well as the importance of acknowledging and repenting from our sins, as encouraged in 1 John 1:9 and Proverbs 28:13
Reflection Questions
- How have I experienced God's graciousness and compassion in my own life, and how can I respond with gratitude and obedience?
- In what ways can I demonstrate God's compassion and grace to those around me, especially to those who may be struggling or disobedient?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to acknowledge and repent from sin, and how can I trust in God's mercy and forgiveness?
- How can I cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for God's covenant promises, and what difference can this make in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 9:31
Nevertheless, for thy great mercies' sake, For the displaying of that, and the glorifying of it, which is so large and exceeding abundant: thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; some
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 9:31
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. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 9:31
Nehemiah 9:31 Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou [art] a gracious and merciful God. Ver. 31. Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake] Man’ s perverseness cannot interrupt the course of God’ s goodness. In the midst of judgment he remembereth mercy, which beareth the same proportion to his judgment which seven (a complete number) hath to a unity. Thou didst not utterly consume them] God will repent for his people, when he seeth their power is gone, Deuteronomy 32:36, and be jealous with a great jealousy when the enemy goes beyond his commission, Zechariah 1:14-15. For thou art a gracious and merciful God] And this is most seen when misery weighs down, and nothing but mercy turneth the scale.
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 9:31
31. for thy great mercies’ sake] R.V. in thy manifold mercies. The emphasis on the variety of the mercy even more than on its magnitude. Cf. Lamentations 3:22-23, ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning.’ thou didst not utterly consume them] R.V. thou didst not make a full end of them (LXX. οὐκἐποίησαςαὐτούςσυντέλειαν. Vulg. ‘non fecisti eos in consumptionem.’ For the phrase see Jeremiah 4:17; Jeremiah 5:10; Jeremiah 5:18; Jeremiah 46:28; Ezekiel 20:17. The promise that though grievously humbled, Israel should not be utterly consumed, ever animated the courage of the prophets, cf. Leviticus 26:44, ‘And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them;’ Isaiah 6:13, ‘As a terebinth, and as an oak, whose stock remaineth, when they are felled.’ gracious and merciful] The same words in Heb. as Nehemiah 9:17 ‘gracious and full of compassion.’
Sermons on Nehemiah 9:31
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Nehemiah 9 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the character of God as revealed in Nehemiah 9, highlighting His righteousness, mercy, and faithfulness to His people. The chapter recounts the Israelites' s |
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I Want My Portion Now! by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of backsliding and encourages the audience to examine their reasons for coming to church. He emphasizes the importance of personal |
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Afflictions of God's People by John Murray | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the idea that there is no arbitrariness in God. He emphasizes that this truth is not an anti-climax, but rather a pinnacle of faith. The pre |
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A Personal Promise by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of David from the book of 1 Samuel. David goes from being an unknown shepherd boy to a famous warrior and leader of the army. Howeve |
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The Heart of God in the Wilderness by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the depth of God's love for humanity. He highlights the lack of revelation and vision in society, which lead |
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What Will Keep You on the Mission Field? by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of practical religion and giving one's life away to God. He believes that many people in churches are unconverted or lack a t |
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The Novelties of Divine Mercy by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the faithfulness and compassion of God towards His people. He encourages the listeners to be content with what they have, reminding them of |