Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.

NEHEMIAH 9:27KJV
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Nehemiah 9:27 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 9:27 mean?

Nehemiah 9:27 describes how God allowed the Israelites to be handed over to their enemies when they turned away from Him, but when they cried out in distress, God heard them and, because of His great mercy, sent leaders to rescue them from their enemies. This verse highlights both the consequences of the people's actions and God's readiness to show compassion when they repent.

In this part of the book, the Levites are leading the people of Israel in a public prayer, recounting their history and God's faithfulness. The verse is part of a larger confession, where the people admit their repeated failures and acknowledge how God responded with patience and mercy each time they returned to Him.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 9:27

  • "deliveredst" (נָתַן, natan): This word means "to give" or "to hand over." Here, it emphasizes that God actively allowed the Israelites' enemies to have power over them as a result of their choices.
  • "vexed" (צָרַר, tsarar): This word means "to oppress" or "to cause distress." It shows that the enemies did not just defeat Israel but made their lives difficult and painful.
  • "manifold" (רַב, rav): This word means "many" or "abundant." The phrase "manifold mercies" points to the idea that God's compassion was not limited or small but was shown over and over again.
  • "saviours" (מוֹשִׁיעַ, moshia): This word means "deliverers" or "rescuers." It refers to the leaders God raised up—often called "judges" in the book of Judges—who rescued Israel from their enemies.

Why Nehemiah 9:27 matters

  • Nehemiah 9:27 clarifies that God's discipline was not the end of the story; His mercy was always available when the people turned back to Him, showing a cycle of judgment and restoration.
  • The verse connects the people's suffering directly to their actions, but it also emphasizes God's character as compassionate and responsive to repentance.
  • This verse helps readers see the larger pattern in Israel's history, where God repeatedly provided "saviours" or leaders to deliver His people, reinforcing the theme of God's faithfulness despite human failure.

Where else these words appear

“mercies” Hebrew H7356 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 43:14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
  • Psalms 25:6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
  • Isaiah 47:6 I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.

“cried” Hebrew H6817 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
  • Deuteronomy 26:7 And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:
  • 2 Kings 8:3 And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land.

“vexed” Hebrew H6887 · used in 56 verses

  • Exodus 12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:28 If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
  • Psalms 69:19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.

“trouble” Hebrew H6869 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
  • Psalms 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
  • Isaiah 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.