New English Translation
Nehemiah 9:38
38(10:1) “Because of all of this we are entering into a binding covenant in written form; our leaders, our Levites, and our priests have affixed their names on the sealed document.”
Nehemiah 9:38 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.
- New International Version (NIV)“In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)"Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests.
- New King James Version (NKJV)“And because of all this, We make a sure covenant and write it; Our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it.”
Context of Nehemiah 9:38
36“So today we are slaves! In the very land you gave to our ancestors to eat its fruit and to enjoy its good things – we are slaves! 37Its abundant produce goes to the kings you have placed over us due to our sins. They rule over our bodies and our livestock as they see fit, and we are in great distress! (10:1) “Because of all of this we are entering into a binding covenant in written form; our leaders, our Levites, and our priests have affixed their names on the sealed document.”
Read all of Nehemiah 9Nehemiah 9:38 word by word
וּבְכָל־זֹ֕את אֲנַ֛חְנוּ כֹּרְתִ֥ים אֲמָנָ֖ה וְכֹתְבִ֑ים וְעַל֙ הֶֽחָת֔וּם שָׂרֵ֥ינוּ לְוִיֵּ֖נוּ כֹּהֲנֵֽינוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Nehemiah 9:38
- Nehemiah 10:29hereby participate with their colleagues the town leaders and enter into a curse and an oath to adhere to the law of God which was given through Moses the servant of God, and to obey carefully all the commandments of the lord our Lord, along with his ordinances and his statutes.
- 2 Kings 23:3The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant before the Lord, agreeing to follow the Lord and to obey his commandments, laws, and rules with all his heart and being, by carrying out the terms of this covenant recorded on this scroll. All the people agreed to keep the covenant.
- 2 Chronicles 15:12They solemnly agreed to seek the Lord God of their ancestors with their whole heart and being.
- 2 Chronicles 23:16Jehoiada then drew up a covenant stipulating that he, all the people, and the king should be loyal to the Lord.
- 2 Chronicles 29:10Now I intend to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, so that he may relent from his raging anger.
- 2 Chronicles 34:31The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant before the Lord, agreeing to follow the Lord and to obey his commandments, laws, and rules with all his heart and being, by carrying out the terms of this covenant recorded on this scroll.
- Ezra 10:3Therefore let us enact a covenant with our God to send away all these women and their offspring, in keeping with your counsel, my lord, and that of those who respect the commandments of our God. And let it be done according to the law.
- Nehemiah 10:1On the sealed documents were the following names: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, along with Zedekiah,
Commentaries on Nehemiah 9:38
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 38Our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it - Persuaded that we have brought all the miseries upon ourselves by our transgressions, feeling much and fearing more, we make a covenant with thee to devote ourselves to thy service; to do with us as thou pleasest. From this sealing we learn that at this time the government of the Jews was a mixed aristocracy; composed of the nobles for the civil department, and the priests and Levites for the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 38Seal unto it - The exact force of the phrase used is doubtful; but its general sense must be that the classes named took part in the sealing. It was usual in the East to authenticate covenants by appending the seals of those who were parties to them (see Jeremiah 32:10).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. 38The people, embracing the prayer, renewed their dedication to God and his word. They signed their names to show their commitment (Nehemiah 9:38–10:27) and took an oath to follow the covenant (10:28–39).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 9:38
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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries