Nehemiah 9:19

Translations

Modern

You in Your great compassion did not forsake them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud never turned away from guiding them on their path; and by the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go.

Traditional

Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.

Literal

…and You, great in Your mercies, did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud He did not turn aside from them by day, to lead them on the path; and the pillar of the fire by night, to shine on them, and on the way that they should walk in it.

Latin

…tu autem in misericordiis tuis multis non dimisisti eos in deserto: columna nubis non recessit ab eis per diem ut duceret eos in viam, et columna ignis per noctem ut ostenderet eis iter per quod ingrederentur.

Original

Hebrew

English

You in Your great compassion did not forsake them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud never turned away from guiding them on their path; and by the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go.

Notes

Nehemiah 9:12–21

This 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 (see Exodus 34:6) and provided his spirit to guide and teach them (compare Exodus 33:2; Numbers 11:17).

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Community Responsibility: Achan’s Sin Darkness and Light God's Word at the Center Nehemiah’s Confidence in God The Cloud and Fire

Related verses

Nehemiah 9:27
So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies.
Psalm 106:45
And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.
Malachi 3:6
“Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.
Nehemiah 9:12
You led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they should travel.
Numbers 14:14
And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Daniel 9:18
Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion.
Daniel 9:9
To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him
Isaiah 44:21
Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are My servant, O Israel. I have made you, and you are My servant; O Israel, I will never forget you.
Psalm 106:7–8
Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea.
1 Corinthians 10:1–2
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea.
Exodus 40:38
For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel through all their journeys.
Ezekiel 20:14
But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

Glossary

Book of Nehemiah Glory Kindness Light Mercy Pillar of Fire and Cloud

Topics

Cloud of Glory was Designed to Guide Israel Cloud: Pillar of God: Guide God: Mercy of God: Supplying Water at Meribah Public Prayer: Jeshua Repentance: Exemplified Sin: Confession of Thankfulness: To God of the Levites

Nehemiah 9:19

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