and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to focus on God's power against Pharaoh, but the text highlights God's deep knowledge: He knew their arrogance. This wasn't just a display of power, but a divine response driven by His awareness of their contempt for His people, establishing His own glorious name for all time.
and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a long, detailed prayer of confession offered by the Levites during a public gathering. The prayer looks back at God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated rebellion, starting with their deliverance from Egypt. This specific line recalls how God powerfully intervened against Pharaoh and the Egyptians, not just for Israel's sake, but because of Egypt's arrogant mistreatment of God's people.
Ever feel like the proud and arrogant get away with it? This verse reminds us that God sees it all, and He acts.
In Nehemiah's prayer, the people recall God's mighty acts in Egypt. He didn't just fight for them; He displayed His power through signs and wonders.
Divine Intervention
Why does God reveal His power so dramatically? It's not just about judgment; it's about His reputation.
The prayer in Nehemiah doesn't just recount God's actions; it explains their purpose: 'And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day.'
God's Glorious Reputation
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
otot u-mofetim · Hebrew Noun phrase
Supernatural acts and miraculous displays of power intended to reveal God's glory, deliver His people, and judge the wicked.
shem · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting reputation, character, and authority; God making a name for Himself refers to Him revealing His nature and majesty to the world.
This verse recounts the Exodus, a pivotal event where God's power was dramatically displayed against Egyptian arrogance. The prayer in Nehemiah 9 is a powerful reminder that even when facing overwhelming odds and oppression, God remembers His people and acts decisively, establishing His name and power for all generations.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Exodus and Plagues of Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses, executing ten plagues upon Pharaoh and his people. This event demonstrates God's power and judgment against arrogance.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
Following their deliverance, God establishes His covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai, giving them the Law. This marks the formal beginning of their identity as God's chosen people.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
After forty years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, begin their conquest of the Promised Land, displacing the nations living there.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy Established
David becomes king over all Israel, establishing Jerusalem as the capital and uniting the tribes into a powerful kingdom.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the kingdom splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, and deport many Judeans into exile, marking a profound national catastrophe.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
This passage directly recounts the initial signs and wonders God performed against Pharaoh, echoing Nehemiah's reminder of God's power displayed during the Exodus.
Psalm 105:26-36This psalm is a song of remembrance of God's mighty acts, including the plagues and wonders in Egypt, emphasizing how God 'made a name for himself' through these events, just as Nehemiah 9:10 states.
Isaiah 63:11-14Here, the prophet recalls God leading His people out of Egypt with great power, explicitly mentioning how God 'made for yourself a glorious name,' aligning with the sentiment in Nehemiah that God's actions established His reputation.
Deuteronomy 6:22This verse speaks of God showing 'signs and wonders, great and terrible, upon Egypt,' directly paralleling the language and events Nehemiah is referencing, underscoring the purpose of making God's name known.
cambridgeNehemiah 9:10: "And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day."
10 . and shewedst signs and wonders , &c.] This epitome of the history of the Plagues shows acquaintance with Deuteronomy 6:22 , ‘And the Lord shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his house.’ Cf. Psalm 105:27 ; Psalm 106:7 ; Psa…
henryNehemiah 9:4-38: "Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God."
9:4-38 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 mo…
It's easy to focus on God's power against Pharaoh, but the text highlights God's deep knowledge: He knew their arrogance. This wasn't just a display of power, but a divine response driven by His awareness of their contempt for His people, establishing His own glorious name for all time.
This verse is part of a long, detailed prayer of confession offered by the Levites during a public gathering. The prayer looks back at God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated rebellion, starting with their deliverance from Egypt. This specific line recalls how God powerfully intervened against Pharaoh and the Egyptians, not just for Israel's sake, but because of Egypt's arrogant mistreatment of God's people.
This verse is part of a long, detailed prayer of confession offered by the Levites during a public gathering. The prayer looks back at God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated rebellion, starting with their deliverance from Egypt. This specific line recalls how God powerfully intervened against Pharaoh and the Egyptians, not just for Israel's sake, but because of Egypt's arrogant mistreatment of God's people.
"and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day." — It's easy to focus on God's power against Pharaoh, but the text highlights God's deep knowledge: He knew their arrogance. This wasn't just a display of power, but a divine response driven by His aw…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026