Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

NEHEMIAH 9:21KJV
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Nehemiah 9:21 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 9:21 mean?

Nehemiah 9:21 describes how, during forty years in the wilderness, God provided for the Israelites so completely that they lacked nothing—neither their clothing wore out nor did their feet swell from the journey. The verse highlights God’s ongoing care and provision during the Israelites’ long period of wandering.

This verse is spoken by the Levites as part of a public prayer, recalling Israel’s history and God’s faithfulness. The people have gathered after returning from exile, confessing their sins and remembering how God sustained their ancestors in difficult times. The verse emphasizes the miraculous nature of God’s care, even in the small details of daily life.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 9:21

  • "Sustain" (כּוּן, kun): This word means to provide, establish, or make firm. Here, it points to God not just giving the basics, but actively supporting and maintaining the people’s needs over a long period.
  • "Lacked" (חָסֵר, chaser): This word means to be without or to need. The verse stresses that the Israelites were not missing anything essential, highlighting the completeness of God’s provision.
  • "Old" (בָּלָה, balah): Used for the clothes not wearing out, this word means to become worn or decayed. The verse draws attention to the unusual preservation of their clothing, a detail that would stand out to listeners.
  • "Swelled" (בָּצֵק, batseq): This word refers to swelling, often from walking or hardship. The verse notes that even after years of travel, their feet did not suffer, underlining the thoroughness of God’s care.

Why Nehemiah 9:21 matters

  • Nehemiah 9:21 clears up any idea that the Israelites barely survived in the wilderness; instead, it shows that God’s provision was so complete that even their clothes and health were preserved.
  • The verse draws attention to the everyday miracles, not just dramatic events, reminding the people that God’s care covers both great needs and small details.
  • In the context of Nehemiah 9, this verse is part of a larger confession and remembrance, helping the people see their history as a story of God’s faithfulness despite their ancestors’ failures.

Where else these words appear

“swelled” Hebrew H1216 · used in 2 verses

  • Deuteronomy 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

“old” Hebrew H1086 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
  • 1 Chronicles 17:9 Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
  • Psalms 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

“clothes” Hebrew H8008 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 22:9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
  • Joshua 9:13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:24 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.

“lacked” Hebrew H2637 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • Deuteronomy 15:8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
  • Ecclesiastes 4:8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.