Nehemiah 1:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Nehemiah begins his prayer by praising God as great and awesome, the One who faithfully keeps His covenant of love with those who love and obey Him.
What Does Nehemiah 1:5 Mean?
Nehemiah opens his prayer not with requests but with adoration. He names the Lord "the great and terrible God" — awesome and worthy of reverence — and then recalls God's steadfast character: He keeps "covenant and mercy" for those who love Him and obey. The wording echoes the language of Moses, grounding Nehemiah's hope in God's long-proven faithfulness to His promises.
Right prayer begins where Nehemiah begins: with who God is. Greatness and tenderness meet in the Lord — He is to be feared, yet He binds Himself in love to His people. To pray well is to remember that the God we approach is both mighty enough to act and faithful enough to be trusted. His covenant love is the firm ground beneath every petition.
Nehemiah 1:5 in the Original Language
hesed (חֶסֶד), 'mercy' -- steadfast covenant love that keeps faith with its promises.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 1:5
What does Nehemiah 1:5 mean?
Nehemiah begins his prayer by praising God as great and awesome, the One who faithfully keeps His covenant of love with those who love and obey Him.