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:

NEHEMIAH 1:5KJV
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Nehemiah 1:5 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 1:5 mean?

Nehemiah 1:5 is Nehemiah’s prayer to God, where he addresses God as the powerful and awe-inspiring Lord who keeps His promises and shows steadfast love to those who love Him and keep His commandments. Nehemiah is appealing to God’s faithfulness and mercy as he begins his prayer for help.

Nehemiah, a Jewish official serving in Persia, is praying to the God of Israel after hearing about the troubles facing Jerusalem. By calling God “the great and terrible God” and emphasizing God’s covenant and mercy, Nehemiah is showing deep respect and reminding himself (and God) of God’s character and past faithfulness to His people.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 1:5

  • “LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is God’s personal name in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing a close, covenant relationship rather than a distant deity.
  • “terrible” (נוֹרָא, nora’): This word often means “awe-inspiring” or “worthy of reverence,” not just frightening. Nehemiah is expressing deep respect and recognizing God’s unmatched power.
  • “mercy” (חֶסֶד, chesed): This word refers to loyal love or steadfast kindness, especially the kind of love God shows in keeping His promises to His people.
  • “keepeth” (שָׁמַר, shamar): This means to guard or watch over. Nehemiah is highlighting that God actively protects and maintains His covenant and mercy.

Why Nehemiah 1:5 matters

  • Nehemiah’s prayer starts by focusing on God’s character, not just his own needs, which sets the tone for the rest of his request and shows humility.
  • The verse connects God’s mercy and faithfulness directly to those who love Him and keep His commandments, highlighting the relationship between God and His people.
  • Understanding the original words helps clarify that “terrible” here means awe-inspiring, not cruel or frightening, and that “mercy” is about God’s loyal, covenant-keeping love.

Where else these words appear

“beseech” Hebrew H577 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 50:17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
  • Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
  • Isaiah 38:3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.