Nehemiah 9:17

"“But they and our fathers behaved proudly, hardened their neck, didn’t listen to your commandments,"

Key Reflection

Nehemiah 9:17 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's history, reflecting the persistent disobedience of both the ancient and contemporary Jewish people. This verse highlights their refusal to heed God’s commandments despite their proud and stubborn nature, a condition that often leads to divine punishment and the hardening of their hearts further. The imagery of "hardened their neck" is particularly poignant, drawing on the cultural context where the term metaphorically represented resistance or rebellion against authority, in this case, divine authority.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

In their rebellion -The Septuagint and several maunscripts have “in Egypt” (the words in the original differing by one letter only), and translate - “And appointed a captain to return to their bondage in Egypt.” Compare the margin reference. The appointment of a leader is regarded here as made, whereas we are only told in the Book of Numbers that it was proposed.

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