Nehemiah 9:17
And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
Nehemiah 9:17 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament reflects on the disobedience of the Israelites towards God despite witnessing His miraculous works. The Israelites, in their rebellion, appointed a leader to return them to slavery instead of following God's guidance. However, the verse also highlights the enduring kindness and mercy of God. Even in the face of disobedience, God is described as ready to pardon, gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and full of kindness. This serves as a reminder that no matter how far we may stray from God, His forgiveness and love are always available to us. The verse ultimately conveys the message of God's unwavering compassion towards His people, emphasizing the importance of repentance and turning back to Him in times of disobedience.
Theological Overview
In this verse from the book of Nehemiah, the disobedience of the Israelites is highlighted as they forgot about the miracles and wonders that God had performed among them. Instead of being grateful for the freedom God had granted them, they chose to rebel and appoint a leader to return to their former state of slavery. Despite their disobedience, the passage emphasizes the character of God as being ready to pardon, gracious, and merciful. It shows that God is slow to anger and abounds in kindness, even when His people turn away from Him. This verse serves as a reminder of God's unchanging nature and His willingness to forgive and show compassion to those who repent and turn back to Him.
Nehemiah 9:17 in other translations
American Standard Version
and refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and forsookest them not.
World English Bible
and refused to obey, neither were they mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them.
Douay-Rheims
And they would not hear, and they remembered not thy wonders which thou hadst done for them. And they hardened their necks, and gave the head to return to their bondage, as it were by contention. But thou, a forgiving God, gracious, and merciful, longsuffering, and full of compassion, didst not forsake them.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But refused to obey, and would not remember thy marueilous works that thou haddest done for them, but hardened their neckes, and had in their heads to returne to their bondage by their rebellion: but thou, O God of mercies, gratious and full of compassion, of long suffring and of great mercie, yet forsookest them not.