Keraia
Nehemiah 9

Nehemiah 9:36

The People Confess Their Sins · Nehemiah 9:1–38
Read Nehemiah 9

Translations

Modern
So here we are today as slaves in the land You gave our fathers to enjoy its fruit and goodness—here we are as slaves!
Traditional
Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:
Literal
Behold! We are this day slaves, and the land that You gave to our fathers to eat its fruit and its goodness, behold—we are slaves in it.
Latin
Ecce nos ipsi hodie servi sumus: et terra quam dedisti patribus nostris ut comederent panem ejus, et quæ bona sunt ejus, et nos ipsi servi sumus in ea.

Original

Hebrew
English
So here we are today as slaves in the land You gave our fathers to enjoy its fruit and goodness—here we are as slaves!

Notes

Nehemiah 9:32–37

The prayer now addresses the current situation, asking the great God—who has unfailing love—for ongoing love and mercy for his people in their difficult times (Nehemiah 9:32). The leaders acknowledged God's justice in punishing them for their sins (Nehemiah 9:33–35), and they expressed sorrow over their enslavement by the Persians (9:36–37).

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.

Glossary

Book of Nehemiah

Topics

Idolatry: Warnings Against, and Punishments of Public Prayer: Jeshua Repentance: Exemplified Rulers: Wicked Sin: Confession of Sin: The Israelites Thankfulness: To God of the Levites