Nehemiah 9:21

Translations

Modern

For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.

Traditional

Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

Literal

And forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; they did not lack. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell.

Latin

Quadraginta annis pavisti eos in deserto, nihilque eis defuit: vestimenta eorum non inveteraverunt, et pedes eorum non sunt attriti.

Original

Hebrew

English

For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.

Notes

Nehemiah 9:12–21

This prayer reminded the people of God's miraculous guidance of Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21–22), his personal appearance at Mount Sinai to reveal his covenant laws through Moses (see Exodus 19–20), and his faithfulness in providing bread and water (see Exodus 16:4; 17:1–6). Despite all of that, Israel's ancestors were proud and stubborn and refused to obey (see Exodus 32; Numbers 14:4). Yet in his grace, God remained faithful and compassionate (see Exodus 34:6) and provided his spirit to guide and teach them (compare Exodus 33:2; Numbers 11:17).

Nehemiah 9:5–37

This lengthy prayer admits the nation's sins and praises God for his compassion throughout history (compare Psalms 105–106; 135–136). It encouraged listeners to admit their own unfaithfulness and ask God for compassion and forgiveness.

Nehemiah 7:73–10:39

This section, possibly from Ezra’s personal memoirs, explains how Ezra’s teaching of God’s law renewed the people's commitment to serve God and follow his instructions. Spiritual revival occurred alongside the civic work of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Theme notes and profiles

Bread from Heaven Community Responsibility: Achan’s Sin God's Word at the Center Nehemiah’s Confidence in God The Cloud and Fire

Related verses

Deuteronomy 2:7
Indeed, the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. The LORD your God has been with you these forty years, and you have lacked nothing.
Deuteronomy 8:4
Your clothing did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.
Deuteronomy 29:5
For forty years I led you in the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.
Psalm 34:10
Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Numbers 14:33–34
Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness.
Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.
Acts 13:18
He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness.
Exodus 16:35
The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land where they could settle; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
Amos 5:25
Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

Glossary

Book of Nehemiah Kindness Mercy

Topics

Clothing of the Israelites, did not Become Old God: Supplying Water at Meribah Ingratitude to God: Punishment of Israel: Providentially Cared For Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Their Clothing Preserved During Manna: Given for Forty Years Public Prayer: Jeshua Repentance: Exemplified Sin: Confession of Thankfulness: To God of the Levites

Nehemiah 9:21

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