For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.

NEHEMIAH 9:35KJV
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Nehemiah 9:35 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 9:35 mean?

Nehemiah 9:35 describes how the people of Israel failed to serve God faithfully, even when they were living as kings in a rich and fertile land that God had generously given them. Despite enjoying God’s great goodness and blessings, they did not turn away from their wrong actions.

This verse is part of a public prayer spoken by the Levites as the people confess their nation’s sins after returning from exile. The Levites are recounting Israel’s history, highlighting how their ancestors did not honor God or change their ways, even when God had given them prosperity and freedom in their own land.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 9:35

  • kingdom (מַלְכוּת, malkhut): This word emphasizes that the people were not just individuals but had authority and a national identity, yet still failed to serve God as a nation.
  • great (רַב, rav) goodness (טוּב, tuv): The phrase points to the overwhelming generosity and kindness God showed, making their failure to respond even more striking.
  • large (רָחָב, rachav) and fat (שָׁמֵן, shamen) land: These words highlight the abundance and richness of the land God gave them, underlining how much they received and still took for granted.
  • wicked (רַע, ra) works (מַעֲשֶׂה, ma’aseh): The focus is on their ongoing harmful actions, not just isolated mistakes, showing a pattern of behavior rather than a single event.

Why Nehemiah 9:35 matters

  • Nehemiah 9:35 clarifies that Israel’s problem was not a lack of blessing or opportunity, but a failure to respond to God’s kindness with faithfulness.
  • The verse connects the people’s confession to the broader story of Israel’s repeated disobedience, even in times of prosperity, helping the reader see the depth of their repentance.
  • This verse helps explain why the community feels the need to confess and seek God’s mercy, setting the stage for their renewed commitment to God in the following chapters.

Where else these words appear

“fat” Hebrew H8082 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 49:20 Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:40 And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for they of Ham had dwelt there of old.
  • Ezekiel 34:14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

“large” Hebrew H7342 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 34:21 These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.
  • Nehemiah 7:4 Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.
  • Psalms 119:96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

“goodness” Hebrew H2898 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 24:10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
  • Nehemiah 9:36 Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:
  • Proverbs 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

“works” Hebrew H4611 · used in 41 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:20 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
  • Jeremiah 4:18 Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
  • Jeremiah 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: