Nehemiah 5:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Nehemiah tells them their conduct is wrong and that they ought to live in the fear of God to avoid the mockery of their enemies.
What Does Nehemiah 5:9 Mean?
Nehemiah names the standard behind his rebuke. Their conduct is simply not good, and the remedy is to walk in the fear of our God. He adds a sharp motive: the watching nations, the reproach of the heathen our enemies, are ready to mock a people whose God is just but whose lives are not.
To walk in the fear of God is to order daily life by reverence for Him, and such reverence reshapes how we treat the weak. The honor of God's name in the eyes of outsiders rests on how His people behave at home. Jesus would teach the same: let your light so shine that others, seeing your good works, glorify your Father.
Nehemiah 5:9 in the Original Language
yir'ah (יִרְאָה), 'fear' -- reverent awe of God that governs conduct, not mere fright.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 5:9
What does Nehemiah 5:9 mean?
Nehemiah tells them their conduct is wrong and that they ought to live in the fear of God to avoid the mockery of their enemies.