God’s Word Translation
Nehemiah 9:12
12You led them during the day by a column of smoke and during the night by a column of fire to give them light to see the way they should go.
Nehemiah 9:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.
- New International Version (NIV)By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take.
- English Standard Version (ESV)By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Moreover You led them by day with a cloudy pillar, And by night with a pillar of fire, To give them light on the road Which they should travel.
Context of Nehemiah 9:12
10You performed miraculous signs and did amazing things to Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people in his land because you knew how arrogantly they were treating our ancestors. You made a name for yourself, a name which remains to this day. 11You divided the sea in front of them so that they could walk through the sea on dry ground. You threw into deep water those who pursued your people as someone throws a stone into raging water. You led them during the day by a column of smoke and during the night by a column of fire to give them light to see the way they should go. 13You came from heaven to Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them fair rules, trustworthy teachings, and good laws and commandments. 14You taught them about your holy day of rest. You gave them commandments, laws, and teachings through your servant Moses.
Read all of Nehemiah 9Nehemiah 9:12 word by word
וּבְעַמּ֣וּד עָנָ֔ן הִנְחִיתָ֖ם יוֹמָ֑ם וּבְעַמּ֥וּד אֵשׁ֙ לַ֔יְלָה לְהָאִ֣יר לָהֶ֔ם אֶת־הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָֽהּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Moreover thou leddestנָחָהnâchâh · to leadH5148
- them in the dayיוֹמָםyômâm · by dayH3119
- by a cloudyעָנָן‛ânân · cloudH6051
- pillarעַמּוּד‛ammûd ‛ammûd · pillarH5982
- and in the nightלַ֫יְלָהlayil lêyl layelâh · nightH3915
- of fireאֵשׁ'êsh · fireH784
- to give them lightאוֹר'ôr · to lightH215
- in the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: roadH1870
- wherein they should goיָלַךְyâlak · to walkH3212
Cross-references for Nehemiah 9:12
- Nehemiah 9:19But because of your endless compassion, you didn’t abandon them in the desert. The column of smoke didn’t leave them during the day, but it led them on their way. The column of fire didn’t leave them during the night, but it gave them light to see the way they should go.
- Exodus 13:21By day the Lord went ahead of them in a column of smoke to lead them on their way. By night he went ahead of them in a column of fire to give them light so that they could travel by day or by night.
- Exodus 14:19The Messenger of God, who had been in front of the Israelites, moved behind them. So the column of smoke moved from in front of the Israelites and stood behind them
- Psalms 78:14He guided them by a cloud during the day and by a fiery light throughout the night.
- Psalms 105:39He spread out a cloud as a protective covering and a fire to light up the night.
- Psalms 107:7He led them on a road that went straight to an inhabited city.
- Psalms 143:8Let me hear about your mercy in the morning, because I trust you. Let me know the way that I should go, because I long for you.
Commentaries on Nehemiah 9:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12By a cloudy pillar - See the notes on the parallel passages, both here and in the other verses.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-38Verses 4-38 The summary of their prayers we have here upon record. Much more, no doubt, was said. Whatever ability we have to do any thing in the way of duty, we are to serve and glorify God according to the utmost of it. When confessing our sins, it is good to notice the mercies of God, that we may be the more humbled and ashamed. The dealings of the Lord showed his goodness and long-suffering, and the hardness of their hearts. The testimony of the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-21This 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…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 6-386-38. Thou, even thou, art Lord alone, &c.--In this solemn and impressive prayer, in which they make public confession of their sins, and deprecate the judgments due to the transgressions of their fathers, they begin with a profound adoration of God, whose supreme majesty and omnipotence is acknowledged in the creation, preservation, and government of all. Then they proceed to enumerate His mercies and distinguished favors to them as a nation, from the…Read the comment
Topics related to Nehemiah 9:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Nehemiah 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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