Nehemiah 10:29

Nehemiah 10:29 Meaning and Explanation

They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

King James Version (KJV)

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The people bind themselves by solemn oath to obey all the law of God given through Moses.

What Does Nehemiah 10:29 Mean?

The community formally joins itself to its leaders and enters into a binding oath, even invoking a curse upon themselves should they break it. Their pledge is sweeping: to walk in the whole law of God given through Moses and to keep all his commandments, judgments, and statutes.

To enter a covenant with a curse attached was to stake one's very welfare on faithfulness. This was no light promise but a wholehearted surrender to God's revealed will. Yet the law they embraced would also expose how far they fell short, awakening the longing for the One who would keep the covenant perfectly on his people's behalf.

Nehemiah 10:29 in the Original Language

alah (אָלָה), 'curse' -- a solemn oath that calls down consequences upon the one who breaks it.

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What does Nehemiah 10:29 mean?

The people bind themselves by solemn oath to obey all the law of God given through Moses.

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