Nehemiah 9:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel refused to obey and even sought to return to slavery, yet God, gracious and slow to anger, did not abandon them.
What Does Nehemiah 9:17 Mean?
The people forgot God's wonders and in their rebellion proposed returning to Egypt and bondage. Yet the verse pivots on a great 'but': God is ready to pardon, gracious, merciful, slow to anger, abounding in kindness, and He did not forsake them.
Here is the heart of the whole prayer. Against human forgetfulness stands divine faithfulness. God's mercy is not exhausted by repeated failure; He is 'ready to pardon,' eager to forgive the moment His people turn back. This is the character on which all hope rests, the same mercy that meets every returning sinner who comes home.
Nehemiah 9:17 in the Original Language
channun (חַנּוּן), 'gracious' -- showing unearned favor and compassion to the undeserving.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 9:17
What does Nehemiah 9:17 mean?
Israel refused to obey and even sought to return to slavery, yet God, gracious and slow to anger, did not abandon them.