Breakdown of Nehemiah 9:26-27

"“Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. Therefore you gave the…" — What's striking here is that the prophets weren't just killed; they were killed precisely because they were trying to turn the people back to God. This highlights the profound tragedy: their very a…

Nehemiah 9:26-27 Meaning Explained

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Nehemiah 9:26-27

“Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What's striking here is that the prophets weren't just killed; they were killed precisely because they were trying to turn the people back to God. This highlights the profound tragedy: their very act of trying to save the people led to their own destruction, revealing the depth of the people's rebellion and their rejection of God's love.

What Nehemiah 9:26-27 means

As the people gather to confess their sins and remember God’s faithfulness, this verse highlights a recurring theme: Israel’s persistent rebellion. Despite God’s incredible acts of deliverance and His clear guidance through the Law, they repeatedly turned away, disregarding His commands and even killing the prophets sent to call them back. This deep-seated disobedience brought great offense to God.

Casting God's Law Behind

What does it mean to 'cast God's law behind your back'? It's more than just forgetting; it's a deliberate act of rejection that sets the stage for deeper rebellion.

The phrase 'cast your law behind their back' paints a vivid picture of willful disobedience. It implies that God's instruction, which should have been a constant guide held in front of them, was instead pushed away and ignored. This wasn't accidental; it was a conscious choice to disregard the very principles God established for their well-being and relationship with Him.

A Deliberate Dismissal

Imagine turning your back on a gift or a warning. That's what Israel did with God's law. They treated it as worthless, something to be hidden or forgotten rather than embraced. This rejection wasn't limited to the ceremonial rules but encompassed the whole moral and spiritual teaching God provided.

The Consequence of Disregard

When God's law is cast aside, it leaves a void that quickly fills with sin and self-will. This act of contempt paved the way for further rebellion, demonstrating a profound disrespect for the One who had shown them so much faithfulness.

Killing the Messengers of Mercy

Israel didn't just ignore God's commands; they silenced the very voices God sent to call them back. What does this say about their rebellion?

The betrayal escalates when we consider the fate of God's prophets. These weren't just random individuals; they were God's chosen messengers, specifically sent to warn Israel and call them back to Him. Their martyrdom was an act of profound rebellion not only against God but also against His persistent love and desire for their repentance.

The Prophets' Purpose

These prophets faced immense opposition because they delivered unpopular truths. Their message was clear: turn back to God, abandon your wicked ways, and you will find mercy. They stood as living testaments to God's faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His people, even in their sin.

A Fatal Rejection

Understand the original words

Original language

rebelledמָרָה

marah · Hebrew Verb

To reject authority or established order, often used in Scripture to describe humanity's active defiance against God’s covenantal laws.

lawתּוֹרָה

torah · Hebrew Noun

The divine instruction or guidance given by God to His people, signifying His revealed will and the standard by which they are to live.

prophetsנָבִיא

nabiy' · Hebrew Noun

Individuals divinely called and inspired to communicate God's message, often functioning as mediators who call the people to repentance and reveal future events.

blasphemiesנִאֻצִים

ni'utsim · Hebrew Noun

Defiant or insolent speech against God, demonstrating a profound lack of reverence and an active rejection of His holy character.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 444 and 433 BC, during Nehemiah's time in Jerusalem.
Author: Traditionally understood as Nehemiah, a Jewish statesman and the governor of Judea in the 5th century BC. The book details his efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.
Location: Written from Jerusalem during Nehemiah's governorship in Judea.
Genre: Narrative history with elements of prayer and confession; features a detailed recounting of Israel's past relationship with God, highlighting a pattern of disobedience.

Historical background

This verse, spoken during the prayer of confession after the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, highlights a recurring pattern in Israel's history: the rejection and killing of prophets who faithfully delivered God's message of repentance and warning. It underscores the deep-seated disobedience that led to exile and serves as a solemn reminder of the cost of ignoring divine guidance.

c. 874-853 BC
Jezebel Massacres Prophets
During the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, many prophets of the Lord were killed. This event is a significant example of the persecution prophets faced for speaking God's truth.
c. 740-605 BC
Prophets Warn Divided Kingdoms
Throughout the period of the divided monarchy and leading up to the Babylonian exile, prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others delivered urgent messages from God. These messages often condemned Israel's disobedience and called for repentance, but many were ignored or actively resisted.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon led his first deportation of Judeans, including young nobles like Daniel, to Babylon. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile and a period of judgment for Israel's persistent rebellion.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple

Key themes

01Persistent disobedience
02Prophets silenced
03Rejection of divine law
04Grave provocations

Cross-references

Matthew 23:37

Jesus laments over Jerusalem for rejecting God's messengers, specifically mentioning the killing of prophets, echoing the historical pattern described in Nehemiah.

Acts 7:52

Stephen directly accuses the religious leaders of his day of persecuting and murdering the prophets, drawing a clear parallel to Israel's persistent rebellion detailed in Nehemiah.

Psalm 78:57

This psalm describes Israel's tendency to turn away from God and break His covenant, illustrating the deep-seated disobedience that Nehemiah 9:26 condemns.

1 Kings 18:4

This passage shows a historical instance of prophets being hunted and killed, specifically mentioning Jezebel's actions, which aligns with the general pattern of persecution mentioned in Nehemiah.

Jeremiah 26:20-23

This account details the prophet Uriah being killed for prophesying against Jerusalem, providing a specific example of the prophets being slain for delivering God's message, as stated in Nehemiah.

Scholarly commentary

Nehemiah 9:26: "Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations."

Slew thy prophets - Compare 1 Kings 18:4 ; 1 Kings 19:10 ; 2 Chronicles 24:21 . Jewish tradition further affirms that more than one of the great prophets (e. g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) were martyred by their countrymen.
barnes

Nehemiah 9:26: "Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations."

Cast thy law behind their backs, i.e. neglected and despised thy laws, would not regard nor observe them; whereas they should have had them continually before their eyes, to direct and govern them. Compare Psalm 50:17 Ezekiel 23:35 .
poole

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What Nehemiah 9:26-27 means

Original language

rebelledמָרָה

marah · Hebrew Verb

To reject authority or established order, often used in Scripture to describe humanity's active defiance against God’s covenantal laws.

lawתּוֹרָה

torah · Hebrew Noun

The divine instruction or guidance given by God to His people, signifying His revealed will and the standard by which they are to live.

prophetsנָבִיא

nabiy' · Hebrew Noun

Individuals divinely called and inspired to communicate God's message, often functioning as mediators who call the people to repentance and reveal future events.

blasphemiesנִאֻצִים

ni'utsim · Hebrew Noun

Defiant or insolent speech against God, demonstrating a profound lack of reverence and an active rejection of His holy character.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 444 and 433 BC, during Nehemiah's time in Jerusalem.
Author: Traditionally understood as Nehemiah, a Jewish statesman and the governor of Judea in the 5th century BC. The book details his efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.
Location: Written from Jerusalem during Nehemiah's governorship in Judea.
Genre: Narrative history with elements of prayer and confession; features a detailed recounting of Israel's past relationship with God, highlighting a pattern of disobedience.

Historical background

c. 874-853 BC

Jezebel Massacres Prophets

During the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, many prophets of the Lord were killed. This event is a significant example of the persecution prophets faced for speaking God's truth.

c. 740-605 BC

Prophets Warn Divided Kingdoms

Throughout the period of the divided monarchy and leading up to the Babylonian exile, prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others delivered urgent messages from God. These messages often condemned Israel's disobedience and called for repentance, but many were ignored or actively resisted.

c. 605 BC

First Deportation to Babylon

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon led his first deportation of Judeans, including young nobles like Daniel, to Babylon. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile and a period of judgment for Israel's persistent rebellion.

c. 586 BC

Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple

Scholarly commentary

Nehemiah 9:26: "Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations."

Slew thy prophets - Compare 1 Kings 18:4 ; 1 Kings 19:10 ; 2 Chronicles 24:21 . Jewish tradition further affirms that more than one of the great prophets (e. g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) were martyred by their countrymen.
barnes

Nehemiah 9:26: "Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations."

Cast thy law behind their backs, i.e. neglected and despised thy laws, would not regard nor observe them; whereas they should have had them continually before their eyes, to direct and govern them. Compare Psalm 50:17 Ezekiel 23:35 .
poole

Frequently asked questions

What does Nehemiah 9:26-27 mean?

Explain the meaning of Nehemiah 9:26-27

What is the context of Nehemiah 9:26-27?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "rebelled" mean in the original Hebrew?”
“Why did Traditionally understood as Nehemiah, a Jewish statesman and the governor of Judea in the 5th century BC. The book details his efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. write Nehemiah 9:26-27?”
“How does persistent disobedience show up in Nehemiah 9:26-27?”

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Live chat about Nehemiah 9:26-27 is available in the Sola app.

What Nehemiah 9:26-27 means

Casting God's Law Behind

Killing the Messengers of Mercy

Original language

Historical context

Historical background

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

What Nehemiah 9:26-27 means

Casting God's Law Behind

Killing the Messengers of Mercy

Original language

Historical context

Historical background

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

The Gravity of Great Provocation