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UTN Review [NEH ch.9] (#1436)

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@ -1039,103 +1039,226 @@ NEH 8 18 j9aj figs-merism מִן־הַ⁠יּוֹם֙ הָֽ⁠רִאשׁ֔וֹ
NEH 8 18 c1cp figs-explicit וַ⁠יַּֽעֲשׂוּ־חָג֙ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים וּ⁠בַ⁠יּ֧וֹם הַ⁠שְּׁמִינִ֛י עֲצֶ֖רֶת כַּ⁠מִּשְׁפָּֽט 1 **They** means the people of Judah. The **ordinance** refers to the command in the Law of Moses to end the Festival of Tabernacles by gathering all of the Israelites together for a closing ceremony after seven days. Alternate translation: “The people of Judah celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles for seven days, and on the eighth day they held a closing ceremony together, as the Law of Moses commanded.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 8 18 er1u translate-ordinal וּ⁠בַ⁠יּ֧וֹם הַ⁠שְּׁמִינִ֛י 1 Alternate translation: “on day 8” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 9 intro sj1h 0 # Nehemiah 09 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>This chapter and the next one form a single section.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Prayer to God<br><br>The people prayed and thanked God for his care for them and the blessings he gave to them. They also confessed their sin of disobeying him. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/bless]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/confess]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])<br><br>### Learning from their ancestor’s mistakes<br>This chapter teaches that the Jews learned from the mistakes of their ancestors. They became determined to worship Yahweh alone, to not intermarry with other peoples, and to worship Yahweh as the law of Moses instructed them. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])<br><br>### Recalling the great power of God<br>It was common to recall the great things God did for Israel. This is a reminder to Israel of God’s power. It is intended to bring the people to repentance and proper worship of Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])
NEH 9 1 w8w8 translate-hebrewmonths וּ⁠בְ⁠יוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְ⁠אַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה 1 the twenty-fourth day of the same month “the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month” This is near the middle of October on Western calendars. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 9 1 lm7m נֶאֶסְפ֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ 1 the people of Israel were assembled “the people of Israel came together”
NEH 9 1 irv4 figs-explicit וּ⁠בְ⁠שַׂקִּ֔ים וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 they were wearing sackcloth, and they put dust on their heads This was in order to show how sorry they were for the wrong things they and their ancestors had done. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 2 xbs1 זֶ֣רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 The descendants of Israel “The Israelites”
NEH 9 2 qx58 וַ⁠יִּבָּֽדְלוּ֙…מִ⁠כֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֣י נֵכָ֑ר 1 separated themselves from all the foreigners “no longer had anything to do with those who were not Israelites”
NEH 9 2 vhc6 וַ⁠יַּעַמְד֗וּ וַ⁠יִּתְוַדּוּ֙ עַל־חַטֹּ֣אתֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וַ⁠עֲוֺנ֖וֹת אֲבֹתֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 They stood and confessed their own sins and the evil actions of their ancestors “They admitted the wrong things that they had done and also the wrong things their forefathers had done”
NEH 9 3 q5p1 וַ⁠יָּק֨וּמוּ֙ 1 They stood up All the Israelites stood up
NEH 9 3 je9t מִתְוַדִּ֣ים 1 they were confessing “they were admitting the wrong things they had done”
NEH 9 3 qe6e וּ⁠מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֔ים 1 bowing down before “worshiping” or “praising”
NEH 9 4 bc94 וַ⁠יָּ֜קָם עַֽל־מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֗ם יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּ⁠בָנִ֜י 1 The Levites, Jeshua, Bani…stood on the stairs Some versions translate, “Jeshua, Bani…stood on the stairs built for the Levites”
NEH 9 4 zl5j translate-names יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּ⁠בָנִ֜י קַדְמִיאֵ֧ל שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה בֻּנִּ֥י שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה בָּנִ֣י כְנָ֑נִי 1 Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani men’s names (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 5 j96x וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֣וּ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֡ם…ק֗וּמוּ 1 Then the Levites…said, “Stand up…ever.” Here the Levites are speaking to the people of Israel.
NEH 9 5 u4pu בָּרֲכוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה 1 give praise to Yahweh “bless Yahweh”
NEH 9 5 yk5b translate-names יֵשׁ֣וּעַ וְ֠⁠קַדְמִיאֵל בָּנִ֨י…שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה…שְׁבַנְיָ֣ה 1 Jeshua…Kadmiel…Bani…Sherebiah…Shebaniah These are the names of men. See how you translated them in [Nehemiah 9:4](./04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 5 m3eu translate-names חֲשַׁבְנְיָ֜ה שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה הֽוֹדִיָּה֙…פְתַֽחְיָ֔ה 1 Hashabneiah…Hodiah…Pethahiah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 5 tve4 וִ⁠יבָֽרְכוּ֙ שֵׁ֣ם כְּבוֹדֶ֔⁠ךָ 1 May they bless your glorious name the Levites are speaking to Yahweh. “May the people of Judah bless your glorious name, Yahweh”
NEH 9 6 k5l3 figs-metaphor שְׁמֵ֨י הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם וְ⁠כָל־צְבָאָ֗⁠ם הָ⁠אָ֜רֶץ וְ⁠כָל־אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָלֶ֨י⁠הָ֙ הַ⁠יַּמִּים֙ וְ⁠כָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּ⁠הֶ֔ם וְ⁠אַתָּ֖ה מְחַיֶּ֣ה אֶת־כֻּלָּ֑⁠ם וּ⁠צְבָ֥א הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֖יִם לְ⁠ךָ֥ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִֽים 1 the highest heavens, with all their host…the host of heaven worship you A host is an army. The “host of heaven” speaks in a metaphor of the many stars as if they were an army. The stars in turn are a metaphor for the many angels. The stars worshiping Yahweh is a metaphor for the angels worshiping Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 7 id6f 0 Connecting Statement: The Levites continue their prayer before all the people.
NEH 9 7 us45 מֵ⁠א֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים 1 Ur of the Chaldees “Ur, where the Chaldean people group lived”
NEH 9 8 ej7e figs-synecdoche וּ⁠מָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָב⁠וֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְ⁠פָנֶי⁠ךָ֒ 1 You found his heart was faithful before you The heart, the inner being of the person, represents the person. Alternate translation: “You saw that he was completely faithful to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 9 8 vbx8 translate-names הַ⁠כְּנַעֲנִ֨י הַ⁠חִתִּ֜י הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֧י וְ⁠הַ⁠פְּרִזִּ֛י וְ⁠הַ⁠יְבוּסִ֥י וְ⁠הַ⁠גִּרְגָּשִׁ֖י 1 Canaanites…Hittites…Amorites…Perizzites…Jebusites…Girgashites people group names (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 9 p3f4 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 9 vp1y וַ⁠תֵּ֛רֶא 1 You saw Yahweh saw
NEH 9 9 j256 figs-explicit וְ⁠אֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥⁠ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ 1 you heard their cry The implied information is that God was moved to action because of the Israelites’ cries for help. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 10 ge61 figs-explicit וַ֠⁠תִּתֵּן אֹתֹ֨ת וּ⁠מֹֽפְתִ֜ים בְּ⁠פַרְעֹ֤ה 1 signs and wonders against Pharaoh The plagues tested Pharaoh’s heart, and they became a witness against his hardness of heart. Alternate translation: “signs and wonders that testified against Pharaoh” or “signs and wonders that condemned Pharaoh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 10 i7c3 וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־עַ֣ם אַרְצ֔⁠וֹ 1 all the people of his land “all the Egyptians”
NEH 9 10 s54a הֵזִ֖ידוּ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם 1 acted with arrogance against them “were arrogant toward the Israelites” or “mistreated God’s chosen people”
NEH 9 10 m6zr figs-metonymy וַ⁠תַּֽעַשׂ־לְ⁠ךָ֥ שֵׁ֖ם כְּ⁠הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה 1 you made a name for yourself which stands to this day Here “name” represents a reputation. Alternate translation: “you made yourself famous and even now people still remember” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 11 n7jm 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 11 d1kp וְ⁠הַ⁠יָּם֙ בָּקַ֣עְתָּ 1 you divided the sea God divided
NEH 9 11 l5ar figs-simile הִשְׁלַ֧כְתָּ בִ⁠מְצוֹלֹ֛ת כְּמוֹ־אֶ֖בֶן בְּ⁠מַ֥יִם עַזִּֽים 1 you…threw those who pursued them into the depths, as a stone into deep waters In this simile, the writer describes God throwing the Egyptians into the sea as easily as a person would throw a stone into water, and the stone would disappear under the water completely. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
NEH 9 12 n4i2 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 12 m7vx הִנְחִיתָ֖⁠ם 1 You led them Yahweh led the Israelites.
NEH 9 13 z2ds figs-idiom יָרַ֔דְתָּ 1 you came down When God talks with his people, he is often described as “coming down” or “coming down from heaven.” This is a descriptive way of saying that God appeared to that person. Alternate translation: “you appeared” or “you came down from heaven” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 13 zut5 figs-parallelism מִשְׁפָּטִ֤ים יְשָׁרִים֙ וְ⁠תוֹר֣וֹת אֱמֶ֔ת חֻקִּ֥ים וּ⁠מִצְוֺ֖ת טוֹבִֽים 1 righteous decrees and true laws, good statutes and commandments Both of these double phrases describe the same thing, the law of Moses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 9 14 w3q6 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 14 h9f4 figs-doublet וּ⁠מִצְו֤וֹת וְ⁠חֻקִּים֙ וְ⁠תוֹרָ֔ה 1 commandments…statutes…law Each of these three words refers to the law of Moses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 16 g6tt 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 16 m753 וְ⁠הֵ֥ם וַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ 1 they and our ancestors the Israelites at the time of Moses and the people of Israel after the time of Moses
NEH 9 16 t1he figs-idiom וַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם 1 they were stiff-necked This is an idiom that means that they were stubborn. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 17 v9ib figs-idiom וַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם 1 were stiff-necked This is an idiom that means that they were stubborn. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 17 f1m1 נִפְלְאֹתֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֣יתָ עִמָּ⁠הֶ֔ם 1 the wonders that you had done among them “the miracles that you had done among them”
NEH 9 17 gd2b figs-explicit וַ⁠יִּתְּנוּ־רֹ֛אשׁ לָ⁠שׁ֥וּב לְ⁠עַבְדֻתָ֖⁠ם 1 they appointed a leader to return to their slavery The Israelites would know that this referred to their ancestors wanting to return to Egypt. Alternate translation: “they appointed a leader to take them back to Egypt where they had been slaves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 17 p6nm figs-metaphor וְ⁠אַתָּה֩ אֱל֨וֹהַּ סְלִיח֜וֹת 1 who is full of forgiveness The desire to forgive is spoken of as if it were a liquid that could fill a container. Alternate translation: “who is ready to forgive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 17 c986 figs-metaphor וְ⁠רַב־חֶ֖סֶד 1 abounding in steadfast love Love is spoken of as if it were a food crop that Yahweh could share with people. Alternate translation: “loves his people very much” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 18 hw32 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 18 ind6 עָשׂ֤וּ לָ⁠הֶם֙ עֵ֣גֶל מַסֵּכָ֔ה 1 cast a calf out of molten metal melted metal and molded it in the shape of a calf
NEH 9 19 eqh4 וְ⁠אַתָּה֙…הָֽ⁠רַבִּ֔ים לֹ֥א 1 you…did not abandon them Yahweh did not abandon the Israelites.
NEH 9 19 x6bf אֶת־עַמּ֣וּד הֶ֠⁠עָנָן…וְ⁠אֶת־עַמּ֨וּד הָ⁠אֵ֤שׁ 1 The pillar of cloud…the pillar of fire See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 9:12](../09/12.md).
NEH 9 20 buh1 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 20 e7m4 וְ⁠רוּחֲ⁠ךָ֨ הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֔ה…וּ⁠מַנְ⁠ךָ֙…וּ⁠מַ֛יִם 1 Your good Spirit…your manna…water The writer changes the usual word order to emphasize the good things Yahweh gave his people. Your language may have another way of emphasizing these items.
NEH 9 20 ncd6 לְ⁠הַשְׂכִּילָ֑⁠ם 1 instruct teach
NEH 9 20 gyd6 figs-litotes וּ⁠מַנְ⁠ךָ֙ לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 your manna you did not withhold from their mouths This litotes can be expressed positively. Alternate translation: “you generously gave them manna” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])
NEH 9 20 qka1 figs-synecdoche מִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 from their mouths The mouth is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: “from them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 9 22 f462 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 22 xc6v וַ⁠תִּתֵּ֨ן לָ⁠הֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙ 1 You gave them kingdoms Yahweh gave the Israelites kingdoms.
NEH 9 22 kgg1 וַ⁠תִּתֵּ֨ן לָ⁠הֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙ וַ⁠עֲמָמִ֔ים 1 gave them kingdoms and peoples “enabled them to conquer kingdoms and peoples”
NEH 9 22 zt5p וַֽ⁠תַּחְלְקֵ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פֵאָ֑ה 1 assigning to them every corner of the land “enabling them to possess every part of the land”
NEH 9 22 xf4v translate-names סִיח֗וֹן…ע֥וֹג 1 Sihon…Og These are the names of kings. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 22 bkk3 translate-names חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן…הַ⁠בָּשָֽׁן 1 Heshbon…Bashan These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 23 w96j 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 23 t5pb וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֣ם הִרְבִּ֔יתָ 1 You made their children Yahweh made the descendants of the Israelites at the time of Moses
NEH 9 24 vz5v figs-metaphor וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֖⁠ם בְּ⁠יָדָ֑⁠ם 1 gave them into their hands The Canaanites are spoken of as if they were small objects that a person could place in the hand of another person. To give something into a person’s hand is to give that person complete control over that thing. Alternate translation: “enabled the Israelites to have complete control over them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 25 v454 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 25 yzu6 וַֽ⁠יִּלְכְּד֞וּ 1 They captured The Israelites at the time of Moses captured
NEH 9 25 gs7a וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֣ה שְׁמֵנָה֒ 1 a productive land “a fertile land”
NEH 9 25 ke4u בֹּר֨וֹת 1 cisterns holes in the ground where people store water
NEH 9 25 s544 figs-metaphor וַֽ⁠יִּשְׂבְּעוּ֙ 1 grew fat This might be a metaphor for “stopped thinking about Yahweh” or “became complacent.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 26 t19v 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 26 q9sz figs-metaphor וַ⁠יַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ אֶת־תּוֹרָֽתְ⁠ךָ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י גַוָּ֔⁠ם 1 They threw your law behind their backs The law is spoken of as if it were a worthless item that a person could throw away. Alternate translation: “They considered your law worthless and paid no attention to it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 26 vbj5 וַ⁠יַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ אֶת־תּוֹרָֽתְ⁠ךָ֙ 1 They threw your law The Israelites threw Yahweh’s law.
NEH 9 27 v5lz figs-metonymy וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ⁠ם֙ בְּ⁠יַ֣ד צָֽרֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וַ⁠יָּצֵ֖רוּ לָ⁠הֶ֑ם 1 you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “you allowed their enemies to defeat them and cause them to suffer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 27 z213 figs-metonymy תִּתֵּ֤ן לָ⁠הֶם֙ מֽוֹשִׁיעִ֔ים וְ⁠יוֹשִׁיע֖וּ⁠ם מִ⁠יַּ֥ד צָרֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 you sent them rescuers who rescued them out of the hand of their enemies Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “you sent people to stop their enemies from harming them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 28 u77m 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 28 ds4w וּ⁠כְ⁠נ֣וֹחַ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם יָשׁ֕וּבוּ לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת רַ֖ע לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ 1 they had rest, they did evil again before you Here “they” refers to the Israelites and “you” to Yahweh.
NEH 9 28 puz2 figs-metonymy וַ⁠תַּֽעַזְבֵ֞⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֤ד אֹֽיְבֵי⁠הֶם֙ 1 you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “you abandoned them and allow their enemies to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 29 pm9h וְ⁠לֹא־שָׁמְע֤וּ לְ⁠מִצְוֺתֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙ 1 did not listen to your commands If your language has a word for “listen” that also means “obey,” use it here.
NEH 9 29 una2 figs-metonymy וּ⁠בְ⁠מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣י⁠ךָ חָֽטְאוּ־בָ֔⁠ם אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֖ם וְ⁠חָיָ֣ה בָ⁠הֶ֑ם 1 your decrees which give life to anyone who obeys them Yahweh himself is spoken of as if he were the decrees themselves. Alternate translation: “you even though you give life to everyone who obeys your decrees” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 29 k1ew figs-metaphor וַ⁠יִּתְּנ֤וּ כָתֵף֙ סוֹרֶ֔רֶת וְ⁠עָרְפָּ֥⁠ם הִקְשׁ֖וּ וְ⁠לֹ֥א שָׁמֵֽעוּ 1 They gave the stubborn shoulder-blade and stiffened their neck These are images of an ox refusing to allow its owner to put a yoke on its shoulders. Here they are a metaphor that represents the people being stubborn. Alternate translation: “They became stubborn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 30 sj6k 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 30 tqa5 figs-metonymy וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֔⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֖ד עַמֵּ֥י הָ⁠אֲרָצֹֽת 1 you gave them into the hand of the neighboring peoples Here “hand” represents power or control. See how you translated these words in [Nehemiah 9:27](../09/27.md). Alternate translation: “you allowed the neighboring peoples to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 30 ym8i וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֔⁠ם 1 you gave Yahweh gave
NEH 9 31 cl3n לֹֽא־עֲשִׂיתָ֥⁠ם כָּלָ֖ה 1 you did not make a complete end of them “you did not destroy them”
NEH 9 32 j1rz 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 32 j5fk אַל־יִמְעַ֣ט לְ⁠פָנֶ֡י⁠ךָ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְ⁠נוּ לִ⁠מְלָכֵ֨י⁠נוּ לְ⁠שָׂרֵ֧י⁠נוּ וּ⁠לְ⁠כֹהֲנֵ֛י⁠נוּ וְ⁠לִ⁠נְבִיאֵ֥⁠נוּ וְ⁠לַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ וּ⁠לְ⁠כָל־עַמֶּ֑⁠ךָ מִ⁠ימֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י אַשּׁ֔וּר עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽ 1 do not let all this hardship seem little to you that has come on us…until today It is possible to divide this into two sentences. “Do not let all this hardship seem little to you. The hardship has come upon us…until today”
NEH 9 32 u6i9 figs-personification הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְ⁠נוּ 1 hardship…has come on us The phrase “come on us” speaks of bad things that happen as if they are people who cause harm. Alternate translation: “harm…we have suffered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH 9 33 pl1f figs-personification הַ⁠בָּ֣א עָלֵ֑י⁠נוּ 1 everything that has come on us The phrase “come on us” speaks of bad things that happen as if they are people who cause harm. Alternate translation: “everything we have suffered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH 9 35 af8m 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 35 nxv9 וּ⁠בְ⁠טוּבְ⁠ךָ֨ הָ⁠רָ֜ב אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֣תָּ לָ⁠הֶ֗ם 1 while they enjoyed your great goodness to them “while they enjoyed the good things you gave them”
NEH 9 35 ibf9 לֹ֣א עֲבָד֑וּ⁠ךָ 1 they did not serve you “they were not obedient to your law or teaching”
NEH 9 36 q7xj 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 36 qh7f וְ⁠אֶת־טוּבָ֔⁠הּ 1 its good gifts “all the good things in it” or “all the good things we can get from it”
NEH 9 37 q3dz וּ⁠תְבוּאָתָ֣⁠הּ מַרְבָּ֗ה לַ⁠מְּלָכִ֛ים 1 The rich yield from our land goes to the kings “We pay tribute to kings for working our own land”
NEH 9 37 x15l מֹשְׁלִ֤ים 1 They rule The kings rule.
NEH 9 38 g7s3 0 Connecting Statement: In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
NEH 9 38 t4ag וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־זֹ֕את 1 Because of all this because the people had disobeyed and Yahweh had punished them
NEH 9 38 xee9 וְ⁠עַל֙ הֶֽ⁠חָת֔וּם 1 On the sealed document are the names The reader should understand that the men wrote their names on the document before it was sealed.
NEH 9 1 w8w8 translate-hebrewmonths וּ⁠בְ⁠יוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְ⁠אַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה 1 **This month** means the seventh month of that year according to the Hebrew calendar, as specified in [8:2](../08/02.md) and [8:14](../08/14.md). The Law of Moses said to observe the Festival of Tabernacles from the fifteenth through the twenty-second days of that month. The implication is that after that joyful celebration, the people were given one full day to rest and prepare for the gathering that this chapter describes. It had a different and more solemn purpose. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “On the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month of that year, two days after the joyful Festival of Tabernacles had ended” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 1 translate-ordinal וּ⁠בְ⁠יוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְ⁠אַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה 1 Alternate translation: “On day 24 of month 7” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 9 1 lm7m figs-activepassive נֶאֶסְפ֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel gathered together” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 9 1 figs-explicit נֶאֶסְפ֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ 1 The implication is that people from all the cities and towns the province of Judah gathered together again in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “people from all over Judah gathered together again in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 1 bita-hq בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ 1 **Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” In this context it includes both men and women, and it refers specifically to the Israelites who were now living in Judah. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” or “people from all over Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 1 irv4 translate-symaction וּ⁠בְ⁠שַׂקִּ֔ים וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 The people did these things to show symbolically how sorry they were for their sins. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people refrained from eating, wore rough clothing, and put dust on their heads to show that they were sorry for their sins.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 1 figs-synecdoche וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 **Them** in this sentence refers to the people, but it does not mean that they covered themselves entirely in dust. The story is using the whole person to refer figuratively to one part of the person, the head, which is where people in this culture put dust to express sorrow. Alternate translation: “the people … put dust on their heads” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 9 2 figs-explicit וַ⁠יִּבָּֽדְלוּ֙ זֶ֣רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִ⁠כֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֣י נֵכָ֑ר 1 The Israelites were conducting this ceremony as a special act of repentance for how they and their ancestors had disobeyed God. They were acknowledging how they had failed to fulfill the special assignment God had given them of modeling the blessings of living according to his ways. So it would not have been appropriate for people from other nations to take part in the ceremony. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people of Israel did not allow anyone from any other nation to take part in this ceremony, because it was going to be a time of repentance for how they and their ancestors had disobeyed Yahweh.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 2 xbs1 bita-plants זֶ֣רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 Here **seed** is a metaphor meaning “offspring.” It is a comparison: Just as plants produce seeds that grow into many more plants, so people can have many offspring. So the term refers figuratively to a person’s descendants. Here it means the descendants of Israel. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 2 qx58 bita-hq מִ⁠כֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֣י נֵכָ֑ר 1 **Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “all people from other nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 2 vhc6 figs-metaphor וַ⁠יַּעַמְד֗וּ וַ⁠יִּתְוַדּוּ֙ עַל־חַטֹּ֣אתֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וַ⁠עֲוֺנ֖וֹת אֲבֹתֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 **Stood** here probably does not mean “standing up,” since the next verse says that they “rose up,” which probably means that they got up from kneeling. As they were showing sorrow for their sins, they would likely have knelt to worship God, as in [8:6](../08/06.md). So **stood** probably means instead that they remained in place, by implication for some time, and made a thorough confession. Alternate translation: “they remained in place as they confessed all the wrong things that they and their ancestors had done” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 2 bita-hq אֲבֹתֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 **Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “their ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 3 q5p1 translate-symaction וַ⁠יָּק֨וּמוּ֙ עַל־עָמְדָ֔⁠ם 1 **Rose up** here likely means “stood up.” As in [8:5](../08/05.md), the people would have stood up to show respect as they listened to the reading from the Law of Moses. Alternate translation: “Then the people stood up where they were” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH 9 3 וַֽ⁠יִּקְרְא֗וּ בְּ⁠סֵ֨פֶר 1 The people themselves did not read from the book. “They” here likely means Ezra and the Levites, who read similarly to the crowd that gathered on the occasion described in 8:1–12. Alternate translation: “as their leaders read to them”
NEH 9 3 qe6e translate-unknown בְּ⁠סֵ֨פֶר תּוֹרַ֧ת יְהוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵי⁠הֶ֖ם 1 This is another of the various ways that this story describes a book containing the Law of Moses. Alternate translation: “from the Law of Moses” or “from the law that Yahweh had given through Moses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 3 je9t translate-unknown רְבִעִ֣ית הַ⁠יּ֑וֹם וּ⁠רְבִעִית֙ 1 In this culture the day and the night were each divided into four equal parts of three hours each. So this means that the people listened to a reading of the Law for three hours, and then they spent the next three hours in prayer and confession. Alternate translation: “for three hours, and then for another three hours” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 4 bc94 figs-explicit וַ⁠יָּ֜קָם עַֽל־מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֗ם יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּ⁠בָנִ֜י קַדְמִיאֵ֧ל שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה בֻּנִּ֥י שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה בָּנִ֣י כְנָ֑נִי 1 The name of the stairs suggests that the men listed were Levites. That is, they were descendants of Levi who had the special assignment of helping the priests. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could suggest this in your translation. Alternate translation: “Eight Levites named Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani climbed up the stairs leading to the platform.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 4 translate-unknown וַ⁠יָּ֜קָם עַֽל־מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֗ם 1 In context, the **stairs of the Levites** seem to be stairs that led up to the platform that was built for the occasion described in chapter 8, or to another platform or platforms similar to it that allowed religious leaders to be seen and heard during large gatherings. The stairs likely had this name because they enabled the Levites to move back and forth from up on the platform to down among the people. Here they also serve as a raised platform of their own, on which the Levites can stand and be seen and heard. Alternate translation: “climbed up onto the stairs to the platform” or “the stairs that had been built for the Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 4 figs-idiom וַ⁠יָּ֜קָם עַֽל 1 **Rose up** in this context seems to mean that these men climbed up onto the stairs and stood on them. Alternate translation: “climbed up onto” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 4 grammar-connect-time-simultaneous וַ⁠יָּ֜קָם 1 It seems that in this verse the story is describing something that happened during the second three-hour period, at the same time when the people were praying and confessing. You could indicate this with an introductory phrase. Alternate translation: “While the people were doing this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH 9 4 zl5j translate-names יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּ⁠בָנִ֜י קַדְמִיאֵ֧ל שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה בֻּנִּ֥י שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה בָּנִ֣י כְנָ֑נִי 1 These are the names of eight men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 4 u4pu figs-explicit וַֽ⁠יִּזְעֲקוּ֙ בְּ⁠ק֣וֹל גָּד֔וֹל אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 The implication is that they did this to offer public prayers of confession on behalf of the people, and perhaps also to guide the people to pray themselves on particular topics. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “They prayed to Yahweh their God on behalf of the people, speaking loudly so that everyone could hear them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 5 j96x הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֡ם 1 This phrase indicates that the eight men listed were Levites. If you said in your translation that the eight men listed in [8:4](../08/04.md) were also Levites, here you could say, “Eight more Levites named.”
NEH 9 5 yk5b translate-names יֵשׁ֣וּעַ וְ֠⁠קַדְמִיאֵל בָּנִ֨י חֲשַׁבְנְיָ֜ה שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה הֽוֹדִיָּה֙ שְׁבַנְיָ֣ה פְתַֽחְיָ֔ה 1 These are the names of eight men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 5 m3eu translate-symaction ק֗וּמוּ 1 Here **rise up** seems to mean “get up from a kneeling posture.” This would have symbolized that a new part of the ceremony was beginning. The people were to move from sorrowful confession to a resolute and joyful rededication of their community to God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH 9 5 figs-idiom בָּרֲכוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵי⁠כֶ֔ם מִן־הָ⁠עוֹלָ֖ם עַד־הָ⁠עוֹלָ֑ם 1 The Levites speak these words to the people. They are not telling the people to praise God during all the time from eternity past to eternity future. Rather, they are using an idiom, “from eternity to eternity,” to mean that Yahweh is the God who has always existed and will always exist. If it would be clearer in your language, you could put it in those terms. Alternate translation: “Praise Yahweh, your God, who has always existed and will always exist.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 5 tve4 figs-aside וִ⁠יבָֽרְכוּ֙ שֵׁ֣ם כְּבוֹדֶ֔⁠ךָ 1 In this sentence, the Levite who is speaking turns abruptly from addressing the people to addressing God. (“Your” in the previous sentence meant the people, while **your** here refers to God.) This is somewhat like the places earlier in the book where Nehemiah stops addressing his readers and speaks directly to God in prayer. However, here the people are meant to hear and do what is being described. So if it would be clearer in your language, you could express these as words that continue to be directed to the people, as in the previous sentence. Alternate translation: “Praise his glorious name” (See: Aside)
NEH 9 5 bita-hq וִ⁠יבָֽרְכוּ֙ שֵׁ֣ם כְּבוֹדֶ֔⁠ךָ 1 As in [1:9](../01/09.md), **name** is a figurative way of referring to the fame or reputation of a person. This is described by something associated with it, how well known someone’s name is and how people react to hearing it. God’s reputation, in turn, is based on what he has done and what this reveals about who he is, and so his “name” would also represent that. Alternate translation: “praise you for who you are and what you have done” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 5 figs-metaphor וּ⁠מְרוֹמַ֥ם עַל־כָּל־בְּרָכָ֖ה וּ⁠תְהִלָּֽה 1 Here God’s name is described in a spatial metaphor as being higher than or lifted up above blessing and praise. This means figuratively that all of the things that people could do to honor and praise God could never be sufficient to acknowledge how much honor and praise he actually deserves. Alternate translation: “we can never bless you and praise you as much as you deserve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 5 figs-abstractnouns עַל־כָּל־בְּרָכָ֖ה וּ⁠תְהִלָּֽה 1 **Blessing** and **praise** are abstract nouns that refer to the act of openly honoring someone for their character and actions. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind these words with the verb forms of these words. Alternate translation: “we can never bless you and praise you as much as you deserve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 9 5 figs-doublet עַל־כָּל־בְּרָכָ֖ה וּ⁠תְהִלָּֽה 1 In this context, **blessing** and **praise** mean basically the same thing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “we can never acknowledge you sufficiently” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 6 figs-explicit אַתָּה־ה֣וּא יְהוָה֮ לְ⁠בַדֶּ⁠ךָ֒ 1 At the end of the previous verse, the Levites started speaking to God, but they still meant for the people to hear their words and do what they said. Now the Levites are addressing God directly in prayer. If it would be clearer in your language, you could indicate this with an introductory phrase. Alternate translation: “Then these Levites prayed to God and said, ‘Yahweh, you are the only true God.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 6 figs-idiom אַתָּה־ה֣וּא יְהוָה֮ לְ⁠בַדֶּ⁠ךָ֒ 1 This means “you alone are the one” or “you are the only one.” Alternate translation: “You, Yahweh, are the only true God.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 6 translate-unknown הַ⁠שָּׁמַיִם֩ שְׁמֵ֨י הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם 1 In the ancient Hebrew cosmology, the first phrase likely referred to the sky, which was envisioned as a solid dome above the earth (see the note to [1:9](../01/09.md)). The second phrase likely referred to the realm beyond the sky, which was understood to be the dwelling place of God. Alternate translation: “the sky and everything beyond it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 6 k5l3 figs-metaphor וְ⁠כָל־צְבָאָ֗⁠ם 1 **Host** means army. The “host of heaven” is likely a figurative expression for the stars, which seem like a large army in the sky. However, this phrase might refer to heavenly beings which dwell in heaven with God. Alternate translation: “and all the stars” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 6 וְ⁠אַתָּ֖ה מְחַיֶּ֣ה אֶת־כֻּלָּ֑⁠ם 1 **Them** means everything living on the land and in the seas. Alternate translation: “You give life to all of these creatures” or “you are the one who created all of these living things”
NEH 9 6 figs-metaphor וּ⁠צְבָ֥א הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֖יִם לְ⁠ךָ֥ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִֽים 1 Earlier in the sentence the **host of heaven** was a figurative way of describing the stars as if they were an army. Now here the stars themselves figuratively represent the angels of heaven. Alternate translation: “all the angels bow down and worship you.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 7 id6f אַתָּה־הוּא֙ יְהוָ֣ה הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר בָּחַ֨רְתָּ֙ בְּ⁠אַבְרָ֔ם 1 Alternate translation: “You, Yahweh, are the God who chose Abram”
NEH 9 7 figs-explicit בָּחַ֨רְתָּ֙ בְּ⁠אַבְרָ֔ם 1 Abram was the ancestor of the Israelites. God chose to make him and his descendants a community that would model for the whole world the blessings of living according to his ways. The Levites mention this first because it is the very beginning of the Israelites’ history as God’s chosen people. They will describe the rest of this history, up to their present day, in the rest of their prayer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain this. Alternate translation: “chose Abram to be the ancestor of your people.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 7 translate-names בְּ⁠אַבְרָ֔ם 1 This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 8 us45 figs-explicit וְ⁠הוֹצֵאת֖⁠וֹ מֵ⁠א֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים 1 Throughout their prayer, the Levites assume that the people listening will understand the significance of the details they mention for the Israelites’ history as God’s chosen people. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could give the reason why God brought Abram out of this city. Alternate translation: “He was living among the Chaldean people in the city of Ur, but you told him to leave there and go to a land that you would give to his descendants.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 8 translate-names מֵ⁠א֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים 1 This is the name of a city and a people group. Alternate translation: “the city of Ur, where the Chaldean people lived” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 8 figs-explicit וְ⁠שַׂ֥מְתָּ שְּׁמ֖⁠וֹ אַבְרָהָֽם 1 Once again the Levites assume that their listeners will understand the significance of this detail. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could give the reason why God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. Alternate translation: “You changed his name to Abraham, ‘father of a multitude,’ because he would be like a father to many nations.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 8 figs-metaphor וּ⁠מָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָב⁠וֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְ⁠פָנֶי⁠ךָ֒ 1 Here **found** is an idiom for someone discovering something to be true. It does not mean that God was looking for something he had lost. Alternate translation: “You recognized that he was completely loyal to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 8 figs-metaphor וּ⁠מָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָב⁠וֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְ⁠פָנֶי⁠ךָ֒ 1 Here Abraham’s **heart** figuratively represents his thoughts and will, that is, his inner being. Alternate translation: “You recognized that he was completely loyal to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 8 ej7e figs-metaphor וּ⁠מָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָב⁠וֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְ⁠פָנֶי⁠ךָ֒ 1 Here **face** is a metaphor for a person’s perception, referring figuratively to God’s perception of Abraham. Alternate translation: “You recognized that he was completely loyal to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 8 figs-idiom וְ⁠כָר֨וֹת עִמּ֜⁠וֹ הַ⁠בְּרִ֗ית 1 To **cut** a covenant is a Hebrew idiom for making a solemn agreement with a person. The expression comes from the way animals were cut into pieces during covenant ceremonies to show what the parties wanted God to do to anyone who broke the agreement. But the meaning here is idiomatic. It is not a direct reference to such a ceremony, only to the making of the covenant. Alternate translation: “you made an agreement with him” or “you made a promise to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 8 bita-plants לָ⁠תֵ֡ת אֶת־אֶרֶץ֩…לָ⁠תֵ֣ת לְ⁠זַרְע֑⁠וֹ 1 **Seed** is a metaphor meaning “offspring.” Alternate translation: “to give his descendants the land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-plants]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 8 vbx8 translate-names הַ⁠כְּנַעֲנִ֨י הַ⁠חִתִּ֜י הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֧י וְ⁠הַ⁠פְּרִזִּ֛י וְ⁠הַ⁠יְבוּסִ֥י וְ⁠הַ⁠גִּרְגָּשִׁ֖י 1 These are the names of six people groups. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 8 figs-personification וַ⁠תָּ֨קֶם֙ אֶת־דְּבָרֶ֔י⁠ךָ 1 As in [5:13](../05/13.md), **words** means the promises that God made to Abraham, and **stand** means stay in place rather than go away. The Levites are speaking of God’s promises figuratively as if they were a living thing that could move around or not. Alternate translation: “you have kept all of your promises” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH 9 8 כִּ֥י צַדִּ֖יק אָֽתָּה 1 Alternate translation: “because you always do what is right”
NEH 9 9 p3f4 figs-merism וַ⁠תֵּ֛רֶא אֶת־עֳנִ֥י אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ בְּ⁠מִצְרָ֑יִם וְ⁠אֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥⁠ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ עַל־ יַם־סֽוּף 1 Here the Levites are describing how, centuries later, God rescued their ancestors, who were Abraham’s descendants, from slavery in Egypt. In this verse they describe that entire experience generally by reference to its first episode and its final episode, to include everything in between. (In [9:10](../09/10.md) and [9:11](../09/11.md) they will add further specific details.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could describe the entire experience in a single phrase here. (However, you could also explain these episodes separately. See the next two notes.) Alternate translation: “You rescued our fathers from slavery in Egypt by defeating Pharaoh.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH 9 9 vp1y figs-abstractnouns וַ⁠תֵּ֛רֶא אֶת־עֳנִ֥י אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ בְּ⁠מִצְרָ֑יִם 1 **Affliction** is an abstract noun that refers to the way the Israelites suffered when Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, forced them to serve him as slaves. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “suffer.” Alternate translation: “you saw how badly our ancestors were suffering as slaves in Egypt” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 9 9 figs-explicit וַ⁠תֵּ֛רֶא אֶת־עֳנִ֥י אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ בְּ⁠מִצְרָ֑יִם 1 The implication is that God not only saw how the Israelites were suffering, God was moved to action out of compassion for them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you saw how badly our ancestors were suffering as slaves in Egypt, and so you delivered them from slavery” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 9 bita-hq אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ 1 **Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 9 j256 figs-explicit ⁠אֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥⁠ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ עַל־ יַם־סֽוּף 1 The Levites continue to rehearse the details of Israelite history without explaining their significance because they assume their listeners will already understand this. This is a reference to something that happened after God had freed their ancestors from slavery and they had left Egypt. Pharaoh regretted letting them go and pursued them with his army. The Israelites were trapped helplessly against the shores of the Red Sea as Pharaoh’s army approached. So they cried out to God for rescue. Alternate translation: “you answered their prayer when they cried to you for help from the shores of the Red Sea” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 9 figs-idiom אֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥⁠ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ 1 **Heard** is an idiom that means that God both heard and answered the Israelites’ prayer, in the way described in [9:11](../09/11.md). Alternate translation: “you answered their prayer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 9 translate-names יַם־סֽוּף 1 This is the name of a body of water near Egypt. Alternate translation: “the Red Sea” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 10 ge61 figs-explicit וַ֠⁠תִּתֵּן אֹתֹ֨ת וּ⁠מֹֽפְתִ֜ים בְּ⁠פַרְעֹ֤ה וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־עֲבָדָי⁠ו֙ וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־עַ֣ם אַרְצ֔⁠וֹ 1 If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why God did this. Alternate translation: “You did amazing things that were signs to Pharaoh, his officials, and the people of Egypt that you are the one true God and that they should not have enslaved your people.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 10 s54a figs-doublet וַ֠⁠תִּתֵּן אֹתֹ֨ת וּ⁠מֹֽפְתִ֜ים 1 **Signs** and **wonders** are words that mean similar things. They both describe powerful things that God did. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “you did miracles” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 10 i7c3 grammar-connect-logic-result כִּ֣י יָדַ֔עְתָּ כִּ֥י הֵזִ֖ידוּ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם 1 **They** means Pharaoh, his officials, and the people of Egypt. **Them** means the Israelites. If it would be clearer in your language, you could put this sentence first in the verse, since it gives the reason for the results that are described in the rest of the verse. You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this sentence. Alternate translation: “You knew that Pharaoh, his officials, and the people of Egypt were oppressing our ancestors, and so.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 9 10 m6zr figs-metonymy וַ⁠תַּֽעַשׂ־לְ⁠ךָ֥ שֵׁ֖ם כְּ⁠הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה 1 As in [9:5](../09/05.md), **name** is a figurative way of referring to the fame or reputation of a person. Alternate translation: “When you did this, you won the reputation that you sill have today” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 11 n7jm figs-explicit וְ⁠הַ⁠יָּם֙ בָּקַ֣עְתָּ לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 In [9:10](../09/10.md) the Levites provided more specific details about how God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. In this verse they focus on the details of the final episode in the deliverance experience. Still, they assume that their readers will be familiar with these details and understand their significance. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain these details more fully. Alternate translation: “When the Israelites left Egypt, Pharaoh pursued them with his army, and they were trapped by the shores of the Red Sea. But you opened up the sea in front of them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 11 d1kp translate-unknown וְ⁠הַ⁠יָּם֙ 1 As in [9:9](../09/09.md), this refers to the Red Sea, a body of water near Egypt. Alternate translation: “the Red Sea” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 11 figs-metaphor לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 Here **face** figuratively refers the front of a group. Alternate translation: “in front of them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 11 וַ⁠יַּֽעַבְר֥וּ בְ⁠תוֹךְ־הַ⁠יָּ֖ם בַּ⁠יַּבָּשָׁ֑ה 1 **They** refers to the Israelites. Alternate translation: “so that they were able escape through the Red Sea by walking on dry ground”
NEH 9 11 figs-metaphor וְֽ⁠אֶת־רֹ֨דְפֵי⁠הֶ֜ם הִשְׁלַ֧כְתָּ בִ⁠מְצוֹלֹ֛ת 1 This is a figurative way of describing how that God made the waters of the Red Sea come back over the Egyptian army so that all of its soldiers were drowned. It was as if God had thrown them into deep water. Alternate translation: “but you made the waters come back and drown the army that was chasing them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 11 translate-unknown רֹ֨דְפֵי⁠הֶ֜ם 1 Alternate translation: “the soldiers of the Egyptian army, who were chasing them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 11 l5ar figs-simile כְּמוֹ־אֶ֖בֶן בְּ⁠מַ֥יִם עַזִּֽים 1 In this image, the Levites describe God throwing the Egyptians into the sea the way a person would throw a stone into water. The picture is that just as a stone would disappear completely under the water, the Egyptian soldiers did the same. Alternate translation: “They disappeared completely, the way a stone would that was thrown into deep water.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 12 n4i2 grammar-connect-logic-result וּ⁠בְ⁠עַמּ֣וּד עָנָ֔ן הִנְחִיתָ֖⁠ם יוֹמָ֑ם וּ⁠בְ⁠עַמּ֥וּד אֵשׁ֙ לַ֔יְלָה לְ⁠הָאִ֣יר לָ⁠הֶ֔ם אֶת־הַ⁠דֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָֽ⁠הּ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “To show the people the way that they should go, you sent a pillar of cloud to go ahead of them during the day and a pillar of fire to light up the way at night.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 9 12 m7vx figs-explicit וּ⁠בְ⁠עַמּ֣וּד עָנָ֔ן הִנְחִיתָ֖⁠ם יוֹמָ֑ם וּ⁠בְ⁠עַמּ֥וּד אֵשׁ֙ לַ֔יְלָה לְ⁠הָאִ֣יר לָ⁠הֶ֔ם אֶת־הַ⁠דֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָֽ⁠הּ 1 If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why did this. Alternate translation: “To get from Egypt to the land you had promised them, the Israelites had to cross a trackless desert. To show them what way they should go, you went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night. The pillar of fire lit up the way ahead.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 13 z2ds figs-idiom וְ⁠עַ֤ל הַר־סִינַי֙ יָרַ֔דְתָּ וְ⁠דַבֵּ֥ר עִמָּ⁠הֶ֖ם 1 **Came down** is a way of saying that God appeared to the people. Since God spoke to them from heaven, he did not actually come down from heaven to earth. So this is a figurative expression. Alternate translation: “you appeared to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, where you spoke to them from heaven” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 13 translate-names הַר־סִינַי֙ 1 This is the name of a mountain. Alternate translation: “Mount Sinai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 13 zut5 figs-doublet מִשְׁפָּטִ֤ים יְשָׁרִים֙ וְ⁠תוֹר֣וֹת אֱמֶ֔ת חֻקִּ֥ים וּ⁠מִצְוֺ֖ת טוֹבִֽים 1 **Just judgments** and **laws of truth** mean similar things. The expressions **good statutes** and **commandments** also mean something similar to each other and to the first two expressions. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine all of these phrases into one comprehensive phrase. Alternate translation: “many trustworthy instructions about how to live in the right way,” otherwise “instructions and rules that are just and reliable, and laws and commands that are good” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 9 13 מִשְׁפָּטִ֤ים 1 This term refers to Yahweh giving the Israelites instructions in the law. It may or may not include a sense of Yahweh passing sentence as a judge. Alternate translation: “instructions”
NEH 9 14 w3q6 figs-explicit וְ⁠אֶת־שַׁבַּ֥ת קָדְשְׁ⁠ךָ֖ הוֹדַ֣עַתָ לָ⁠הֶ֑ם 1 If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain what the Sabbath was. Alternate translation: “You commanded them to set apart the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, a special day for rest and worship” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 14 translate-names שַׁבַּ֥ת 1 This is the name of a religious observance. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 14 h9f4 figs-doublet וּ⁠מִצְו֤וֹת וְ⁠חֻקִּים֙ וְ⁠תוֹרָ֔ה צִוִּ֣יתָ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם 1 **Commandments**, **statutes**, and **law** mean similar things. Together they are a comprehensive description of the Law of Moses. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them in a single phrase. Alternate translation: “You told them to obey everything you had commanded,” otherwise “you gave them commands and rules and laws” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]. A doublet can involve the use of more than two words.)
NEH 9 14 figs-metaphor בְּ⁠יַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֥ה 1 Here **hand** figuratively represents control and action. Alternate translation: “you gave them to Moses to give to the people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 14 figs-metaphor עַבְדֶּֽ⁠ךָ 1 The Old Testament often describes Moses by the title “servant of Yahweh.” While Moses was also God’s servant in a more literal sense, this title is a figurative expression that indicates that God used Moses to give his Law to his people, the way a master would have a servant deliver a message. Alternate translation: “your special messenger” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 15 grammar-connect-logic-result וְ֠⁠לֶחֶם מִ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם נָתַ֤תָּה לָ⁠הֶם֙ לִ⁠רְעָבָ֔⁠ם 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the first phrase gives the reason for the resulting action that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “because they were hungry, you provided a special food for them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 9 15 figs-explicit וְ֠⁠לֶחֶם מִ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם נָתַ֤תָּה לָ⁠הֶם֙ לִ⁠רְעָבָ֔⁠ם 1 If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why the people were hungry. Alternate translation: “because they were hungry in the desert where no crops could grow, you provided a special food for them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 15 translate-unknown וְ֠⁠לֶחֶם מִ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם⁠ 1 This is a figurative way of describing the special food that God provided for the Israelites in the desert. Because it had not grown from the ground, it was as if God had sent it from heaven. The Israelites gave this food the name “manna.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could call it by this name after providing a non-figurative description. Alternate translation: “and a special food, manna.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 15 figs-synecdoche וְ֠⁠לֶחֶם מִ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם⁠ 1 This expression used bread to refer figuratively to food in general. It describes all food by the name of one kind of good, bread. Alternate translation: “special food” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 9 15 grammar-connect-logic-result ⁠מַ֗יִם מִ⁠סֶּ֛לַע הוֹצֵ֥אתָ לָ⁠הֶ֖ם לִ⁠צְמָאָ֑⁠ם 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the first phrase gives the reason for the resulting action that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “because they were thirsty, you made water flow out of a rock for them to drink” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 9 15 figs-explicit ⁠מַ֗יִם מִ⁠סֶּ֛לַע הוֹצֵ֥אתָ לָ⁠הֶ֖ם לִ⁠צְמָאָ֑⁠ם 1 If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why the people were thirsty. Alternate translation: “because they were thirsty in the desert where there was no water, you made water flow out of a rock for them to drink” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 15 וַ⁠תֹּ֣אמֶר לָ⁠הֶ֗ם לָ⁠בוֹא֙ לָ⁠רֶ֣שֶׁת 1 Alternate translation: “you commanded them to enter and occupy”
NEH 9 15 translate-symaction הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נָשָׂ֥אתָ אֶת־יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ לָ⁠תֵ֥ת לָ⁠הֶֽם 1 In this culture, a person would raise their hand when they swore an oath. Here the Levites are describing the action of swearing an oath figuratively by referring to the gesture associated with that action, raising a hand. Alternate translation: “the land that you swore to give them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 15 figs-explicit הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נָשָׂ֥אתָ אֶת־יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ לָ⁠תֵ֥ת לָ⁠הֶֽם 1 The Levites assume that their listeners will understand that this means the land of Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the land of Canaan, which you swore to give them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 16 g6tt וְ⁠הֵ֥ם וַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ הֵזִ֑ידוּ 1 **They** could mean the Israelites at the time of Moses, and “our fathers” could mean the Israelites after the time of Moses. However, the next verse says that the people who showed this pride and stubbornness disobeyed God’s command to enter Canaan and instead chose a leader to take them back to Egypt. So this expression could also mean “they, yes, our fathers.” Alternate translation: “they, our own ancestors, were arrogant.”
NEH 9 16 m753 bita-hq וַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ 1 **Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 16 t1he figs-parallelism וַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם וְ⁠לֹ֥א שָׁמְע֖וּ 1 These two phrases mean similar things. The Levites are using the repetition to acknowledge how serious it was that their own ancestors disobeyed God’s command. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “they stubbornly refused to obey,” otherwise “they were proud and stubborn, so they refused to obey” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 9 16 v9ib figs-idiom וַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם 1 This is a figurative way of saying that the people stubbornly refused to obey. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 16 figs-idiom וְ⁠לֹ֥א שָׁמְע֖וּ אֶל־מִצְוֺתֶֽי⁠ךָ 1 **Listen** in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a commandment, but to obey it. Alternate translation: “They refused to obey what you commanded them to do.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 17 וַ⁠יְמָאֲנ֣וּ לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֗עַ 1 Alternate translation: “And they would not obey”
NEH 9 17 וַ⁠יְמָאֲנ֣וּ לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֗עַ 1 This is a reference to the command that is described in [9:15](../09/15.md). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “they would not obey your command to enter and occupy the land of Canaan”
NEH 9 17 f1m1 figs-explicit וְ⁠לֹא־זָכְר֤וּ נִפְלְאֹתֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֣יתָ עִמָּ⁠הֶ֔ם 1 The implication is that if they had done this, they would not have been afraid to go into Canaan and fight to take possession of it. They would have realized that the same God who defeated Pharaoh to deliver them from slavery could also defeat the nations living in Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “They did not remember the miracles that you had done to deliver them from Egypt, and so they were afraid that the nations that lived in Canaan would defeat them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 17 figs-metaphor וַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם 1 As in [9:16](../09/16.md), this is a metaphor meaning that the people stubbornly refused to obey. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 17 gd2b figs-explicit וַ⁠יִּתְּנוּ־רֹ֛אשׁ לָ⁠שׁ֥וּב לְ⁠עַבְדֻתָ֖⁠ם בְּ⁠מִרְיָ֑⁠ם 1 The Israelites would know that this referred to their ancestors wanting to return to Egypt. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “they disobeyed God and appointed a leader to take them back to Egypt where they had been slaves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 17 bita-hq רֹ֛אשׁ 1 **Head** here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leader” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 17 figs-abstractnouns לָ⁠שׁ֥וּב לְ⁠עַבְדֻתָ֖⁠ם 1 **Servitude** is an abstract noun that refers to the condition of slavery that the Israelites experienced in Egypt. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a concrete noun such as “slave.” Alternate translation: “back to Egypt where they had been slaves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 9 17 p6nm figs-abstractnouns אֱל֨וֹהַּ סְלִיח֜וֹת 1 **Forgiveness** is an abstract noun that represents a readiness not to hold a person’s offenses against them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a verb such as “forgive.” Alternate translation: “a God who is always ready to forgive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 9 17 figs-doublet חַנּ֧וּן וְ⁠רַח֛וּם 1 **Gracious** and **compassionate** mean similar things. The Levites use them together to emphasize how merciful God is. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words into a single expression. Alternate translation: “genuinely merciful,” otherwise “who acts kindly and mercifully toward us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 17 figs-metaphor אֶֽרֶךְ־אַפַּ֥יִם 1 This is a figurative way of saying that a person does not lose their temper easily or quickly. Alternate translation: “very patient” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 17 figs-abstractnouns וְ⁠רַב־חֶ֖סֶד 1 **Faithfulness** is an abstract noun that describes the quality of a person who will dependably keep their word and fulfill their responsibilities. **Covenant faithfulness** refers specifically to God keeping all the promises he made to the people of Israel. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with an expression such as “keep promises.” Alternate translation: “you always keep the promises you make to your people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 17 c986 figs-metaphor וְ⁠רַב־חֶ֖סֶד 1 Here the Levites speak of this quality of Yahweh as if it were an abundant food crop that he could share with people. Alternate translation: “who loves his people very much” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 17 ncd6 figs-explicit וְ⁠לֹ֥א עֲזַבְתָּֽ⁠ם 1 If it would be helpful to your readers, you could elaborate on what this means. Alternate translation: “so you did not abandon them there in the desert” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 18 hw32 figs-explicit אַ֗ף כִּֽי־עָשׂ֤וּ לָ⁠הֶם֙ עֵ֣גֶל מַסֵּכָ֔ה וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ זֶ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔י⁠ךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶעֶלְ⁠ךָ֖ מִ⁠מִּצְרָ֑יִם 1 The Levites continue to recount details of Israelite history and assume that their listeners will understand the significance of these details. This was a particularly grievous act of disobedience, which is why the Levites say “even when.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance in your translation. Alternate translation: “Even when the Israelites made an idol in the shape of a calf and gave it credit for delivering them from slavery in Egypt, right at Mount Sinai where you were giving Moses the Ten Commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 18 ind6 translate-unknown וַֽ⁠יַּעֲשׂ֔וּ נֶאָצ֖וֹת גְּדֹלֽוֹת 1 **Blasphemy** means to worship or honor something other than God as divine. The Old Testament stresses repeatedly that this is offensive and insulting to God. Alternate translation: “When they did this, they insulted you horribly.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 19 eqh4 וְ⁠אַתָּה֙ בְּ⁠רַחֲמֶ֣י⁠ךָ הָֽ⁠רַבִּ֔ים לֹ֥א עֲזַבְתָּ֖⁠ם בַּ⁠מִּדְבָּ֑ר 1 Alternate translation: “Even so, because you are always merciful, you did not abandon them in the desert.”
NEH 9 19 x6bf grammar-connect-logic-result אֶת־עַמּ֣וּד הֶ֠⁠עָנָן לֹא־סָ֨ר מֵ⁠עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֤ם בְּ⁠יוֹמָם֙ לְ⁠הַנְחֹתָ֣⁠ם בְּ⁠הַ⁠דֶּ֔רֶךְ וְ⁠אֶת־עַמּ֨וּד הָ⁠אֵ֤שׁ בְּ⁠לַ֨יְלָה֙ לְ⁠הָאִ֣יר לָ⁠הֶ֔ם וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠דֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָֽ⁠הּ 1 See how you translated the similar sentence in [10:12](../10/12.md). If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “To show the people the way that they should go, the pillar of cloud continued to go ahead of them during the day, and the pillar of fire continued to light up the way ahead at night.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 9 20 buh1 וְ⁠רוּחֲ⁠ךָ֨ הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֔ה 1 This seems to be a reference to God in person. If your language uses capitalization or some other convention to indicate that a word is referring to God, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “your good Spirit”
NEH 9 20 e7m4 grammar-connect-logic-result וּ⁠מַנְ⁠ךָ֙ לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם וּ⁠מַ֛יִם נָתַ֥תָּה לָ⁠הֶ֖ם לִ⁠צְמָאָֽ⁠ם 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of the phrases in each clause, since in both cases the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “Because they were hungry, you continued to feed them with manna, and because they were thirsty, you gave them water.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 9 20 translate-unknown וּ⁠מַנְ⁠ךָ֙ 1 This was the special food that Yahweh provided for the Israelites in the desert. See the note in [9:15](../09/15.md). Alternate translation: “special food” or “that special food, manna.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 20 qka1 לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 Here the Levites describe being nourished by food by referring figuratively to something associated with it, the mouth that eats the food. If it would be clearer in your language, you could describe this more generally. Alternate translation: “you continued to feed them”
NEH 9 20 gyd6 figs-litotes לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 This is a figure of speech that expresses a strong positive meaning by using a negative word with a word that is the opposite of the intended meaning. Alternate translation: “you generously gave them manna” (See: Litotes)
NEH 9 21 grammar-connect-logic-result וְ⁠אַרְבָּעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֛ה כִּלְכַּלְתָּ֥⁠ם בַּ⁠מִּדְבָּ֖ר לֹ֣א חָסֵ֑רוּ 1 The first phrase is implicitly giving a reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. If it would be clearer in your language, you could make that explicit. “Because you took care of them for forty years in the desert, they did not lack anything all that time.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 9 21 figs-explicit וְ⁠רַגְלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם לֹ֥א בָצֵֽקוּ 1 If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why the feet of the Israelites would otherwise have swollen as they traveled through the desert. Alternate translation: “their feet did not swell up, even though they were walking all the time.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 22 f462 וַ⁠תִּתֵּ֨ן לָ⁠הֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙ וַ⁠עֲמָמִ֔ים 1 If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say explicitly how Yahweh did this. Alternate translation: “You helped our ancestors to defeat stronger armies so that they could conquer kingdoms and the people who lived in them.”
NEH 9 22 xc6v figs-doublet וַ⁠תִּתֵּ֨ן לָ⁠הֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙ וַ⁠עֲמָמִ֔ים 1 **Kingdoms** and **peoples** mean similar things. They are two different ways of describing the groups that the Israelites defeated. The repetition emphasizes how remarkable it was for Yahweh to enable the Israelites to defeat these stronger opponents. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words into a single expression. Alternate translation: “you enabled them to defeat the nations that were living there” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 22 kgg1 figs-metaphor וַֽ⁠תַּחְלְקֵ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פֵאָ֑ה 1 Here the land of Canaan is described figuratively as if it were a regular shape that had defined corners. Alternate translation: “you enabled them to possess every part of the land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 22 zt5p figs-parallelism אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ סִיח֗וֹן וְ⁠אֶת־אֶ֨רֶץ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן 1 These two phrases mean the same thing. The repetition is used for clarity. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “the land over which King Sihon ruled from the city of Heshbon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 9 22 וְ⁠אֶת־אֶ֖רֶץ ע֥וֹג מֶֽלֶךְ־הַ⁠בָּשָֽׁן 1 Alternate translation: “Bashan, the land where King Og ruled”
NEH 9 22 xf4v translate-names סִיח֗וֹן…ע֥וֹג 1 These are the names of two kings. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 22 bkk3 translate-names חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן…הַ⁠בָּשָֽׁן 1 These are names of the places where these two kings ruled. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 23 w96j figs-simile וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֣ם הִרְבִּ֔יתָ כְּ⁠כֹכְבֵ֖י הַ⁠שָּׁמָ֑יִם 1 **Their** refers to the Israelites. This is a comparison, a figure of speech that says the number of children the Israelites had was like the number of stars in the sky. Alternate translation: “You enabled them to have as many children as there are stars in the sky.” (See: Simile)
NEH 9 23 t5pb figs-hyperbole וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֣ם הִרְבִּ֔יתָ כְּ⁠כֹכְבֵ֖י הַ⁠שָּׁמָ֑יִם 1 This is an exaggeration for emphasis. Alternate translation: “You enabled them to have a very large number of children.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH 9 23 bita-hq וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֣ם 1 **Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” In this context it includes both boys and girls. Alternate translation: “and children” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH 9 23 figs-explicit וַ⁠תְּבִיאֵ⁠ם֙ אֶל־הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אָמַ֥רְתָּ לַ⁠אֲבֹתֵי⁠הֶ֖ם לָ⁠ב֥וֹא לָ⁠רָֽשֶׁת 1 This is the same **land** described in verse 15, the land of Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “You brought them back to the land of Canaan, the land that you had commanded the previous generation to enter and occupy.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 23 figs-gendernotations לַ⁠אֲבֹתֵי⁠הֶ֖ם 1 While **fathers** figuratively means “ancestors” throughout much of this prayer, in this case the word is intended more literally. It means the previous generation of Israelites, who had disobeyed when God told them the first time to occupy the land. But since both men and women were involved in the disobedience, you could use a term that would not limit the meaning to men, if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “to the previous generation” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH 9 24 figs-parallelism וַ⁠יָּבֹ֤אוּ הַ⁠בָּנִים֙ וַ⁠יִּֽירְשׁ֣וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ וַ⁠תַּכְנַ֨ע לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֜ם אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָ⁠אָ֨רֶץ֙ הַ⁠כְּנַ֣עֲנִ֔ים 1 These two phrases mean similar things. The Israelites of the next generation possessing the land is equivalent to Yahweh defeating its inhabitants when they fought against them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “You enabled the next generation of Israelites to defeat the people who were living in the land of Canaan so that they could occupy the land themselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 9 24 figs-gendernotations הַ⁠בָּנִים֙ 1 This means literally the children of the generation that refused to enter the land. But since both men and women were involved in occupying the land, you could use a term that would not limit the meaning to men, if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “the next generation of Israelites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH 9 24 figs-metonymy וַ⁠תַּכְנַ֨ע לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֜ם אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָ⁠אָ֨רֶץ֙ 1 Here **face** figuratively means the front of a group, in this case the Israelite army that was fighting against the Canaanites. Alternate translation: “when the Israelites opposed them in battle, you defeated the people who were living in the land.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 24 figs-doublet יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָ⁠אָ֨רֶץ֙ הַ⁠כְּנַ֣עֲנִ֔ים 1 These two phrases mean similar things. The repetition is used for clarity. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “the Canaanites who lived there,” otherwise “the people who lived here in this land, the descendants of Canaan” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 24 vz5v figs-explicit וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֖⁠ם בְּ⁠יָדָ֑⁠ם וְ⁠אֶת־מַלְכֵי⁠הֶם֙ וְ⁠אֶת־עַֽמְמֵ֣י הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת בָּ⁠הֶ֖ם כִּ⁠רְצוֹנָֽ⁠ם 1 The Levites continue to recount details of Israelite history and assume that their listeners will understand the significance of these details. This sentence means, “You gave the Canaanites into the hands of the Israelites, that is, you gave their kings and the Canaanite people into the hands of the Israelites.” The implication is that once the Israelites had defeated the armies that the kings were leading, they could then do anything they wanted with the people who were living in the land. In other words, Yahweh gave the kings “into their hands” by defeating them, and as a result, the people were “in their hands” to do with whatever they wanted. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “You enabled them to defeat the armies that the Canaanite kings were leading, and then they could do whatever they wanted with the people of Canaan.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 24 v454 figs-metaphor וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֖⁠ם בְּ⁠יָדָ֑⁠ם 1 Here **hand** figuratively represents power and control. To give something into a person’s hand is to give that person control over that thing. Alternate translation: “enabled the Israelites to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 25 yzu6 וַֽ⁠יִּלְכְּד֞וּ עָרִ֣ים בְּצֻרוֹת֮ וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֣ה שְׁמֵנָה֒ 1 **They** means the Israelites who were entering Canaan.
NEH 9 25 gs7a figs-metonymy וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֣ה שְׁמֵנָה֒ 1 This means land that can produce abundantly and make its inhabitants fat (as described later in this verse). The rich character of the soil is being described figuratively by something associated with it, the well-fed character of the people it sustains. Alternate translation: “fertile land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 25 וַ⁠יִּֽירְשׁ֡וּ 1 This means that they took possession of the things on the list that follows from people who had already built or planted them. Alternate translation: “they took possession of”
NEH 9 25 figs-activepassive בֹּר֨וֹת חֲצוּבִ֜ים 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. (This verse is not saying that the Israelites did three things, capture cities, possess houses, and dig cisterns.) Alternate translation: “cisterns that someone else had already dug” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 9 25 ke4u translate-unknown בֹּר֨וֹת 1 Cisterns are underground reservoirs where people store water. In this area they were typically hewn out of the underlying rock. Alternate translation: “water storage areas” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 25 translate-unknown וְ⁠עֵ֥ץ מַאֲכָ֖ל 1 This means trees that grow things that are good to eat. In this area, these would have included both fruit and nut trees. Alternate translation: “and fruit and nut trees” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 25 s544 figs-metaphor וַֽ⁠יִּשְׂבְּעוּ֙ 1 It is clear from the context that this was likely true literally, but this statement could also be a figurative way of saying that just as a person who has more than enough to eat stops being concerned, so the Israelites became complacent and stopped thinking about Yahweh. Alternate translation: “and they became complacent” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 26 t19v figs-doublet וַ⁠יַּמְר֨וּ וַֽ⁠יִּמְרְד֜וּ בָּ֗⁠ךְ 1 **Disobeyed** and **rebelled** mean similar things. The Levites use them together to emphasize how serious an offense it was for the Israelites to turn against Yahweh after he had blessed them so greatly. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “they turned against you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 26 q9sz figs-metaphor וַ⁠יַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ אֶת־תּוֹרָֽתְ⁠ךָ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י גַוָּ֔⁠ם 1 The Levites are saying that figuratively the Israelites treated the law as if it were a worthless item that a person would toss away. Alternate translation: “They considered your law worthless and paid no attention to it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 26 vbj5 הֵעִ֥ידוּ בָ֖⁠ם 1 Alternate translation: “warned them about all the wrong things they were doing”
NEH 9 26 translate-unknown וַֽ⁠יַּעֲשׂ֔וּ נֶאָצ֖וֹת גְּדוֹלֹֽת 1 As in [9:18](../09/18.md), **blasphemy** means to worship or honor something other than God as divine. This is likely a reference to the way the Israelites started worshipping other gods. (That is why the prophets needed to try to “bring them back” to Yahweh.) Alternate translation: “they worshipped other gods” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 27 v5lz figs-metaphor וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ⁠ם֙ בְּ⁠יַ֣ד צָֽרֵי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 Here **hand** figuratively represents power and control. Alternate translation: “you allowed their enemies to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 27 וַ⁠יָּצֵ֖רוּ לָ⁠הֶ֑ם 1 **They** means the enemies, and “them” means the Israelites. Alternate translation: “The enemies of the Israelites made them suffer.”
NEH 9 27 ⁠כְ⁠רַחֲמֶ֣י⁠ךָ הָֽ⁠רַבִּ֗ים 1 Alternate translation: “because of your great mercy” or “because you are very merciful”
NEH 9 27 z213 translate-unknown תִּתֵּ֤ן לָ⁠הֶם֙ מֽוֹשִׁיעִ֔ים 1 This is a reference to the time in Israelite history when God sent the judges to lead the Israelite tribes in fighting back against their enemies. Alternate translation: “you sent the judges to rescue them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 9 27 figs-metaphor וְ⁠יוֹשִׁיע֖וּ⁠ם מִ⁠יַּ֥ד צָרֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 Here **hand** figuratively represents power and control. Alternate translation: “they rescued them from their enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 28 u77m grammar-connect-logic-contrast וּ⁠כְ⁠נ֣וֹחַ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם יָשׁ֕וּבוּ לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת רַ֖ע לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ 1 This sentence draws a contrast between how the Israelites should have responded when God delivered them and how they actually responded. You could begin the sentence with a word like “but” or “however” or “nevertheless” to indicate this contrast. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH 9 28 ds4w figs-abstractnouns וּ⁠כְ⁠נ֣וֹחַ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם 1 **Rest** is an abstract noun that indicates that the Israelites had relief from suffering and that there was no more war in the land after they defeated their enemies. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the same idea with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “after they had defeated their enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 9 28 figs-metaphor יָשׁ֕וּבוּ לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת רַ֖ע לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ 1 Here **face** seems to refer figuratively to a person’s opinion or judgment, by association with the way they use the eyes in their face to see things and the way their facial expression shows what they think of those things. So this would mean that the Israelites did things that Yahweh considered to be wrong. Alternate translation: “they went back to doing things that you consider wrong” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 28 figs-metaphor וַ⁠תַּֽעַזְבֵ֞⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֤ד אֹֽיְבֵי⁠הֶם֙ וַ⁠יִּרְדּ֣וּ בָ⁠הֶ֔ם 1 Here **hand** figuratively represents power and control. Alternate translation: “you allowed their enemies to defeat them, and they ruled over them harshly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 28 puz2 grammar-connect-logic-result וַ⁠תַּֽעַזְבֵ֞⁠ם 1 This phrase indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “and so you left them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 9 28 figs-doublet וַ⁠יָּשׁ֨וּבוּ֙ וַ⁠יִּזְעָק֔וּ⁠ךָ 1 **They** means the Israelites. **Returned** and **cried out** mean similar things. Both terms describe how the Israelites realized that they should have remained loyal to Yahweh and that they desperately needed his help. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use one expression for both terms. Alternate translation: “The Israelites asked you again to help them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 28 כְּֽ⁠רַחֲמֶ֖י⁠ךָ 1 Alternate translation: “because of your mercy” or “because you are merciful”
NEH 9 29 pm9h figs-metonymy וַ⁠תָּ֨עַד בָּ⁠הֶ֜ם 1 Yahweh did not personally tell the Israelites all the wrong things they were doing. Rather, as [9:26](../09/26.md) explains by using the same expression, Yahweh sent prophets to do this. The Levites are describing the prophets figuratively by association with Yahweh, whose message they were bringing. Alternate translation: “you sent prophets to warn the Israelites about all the wrong things they were doing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 29 figs-metonymy לַ⁠הֲשִׁיבָ֣⁠ם אֶל־תּוֹרָתֶ֗⁠ךָ 1 The prophets were actually trying to make the people loyal to Yahweh himself once again, by calling them to obey Yahweh’s law. The Levites are describing Yahweh by reference to something associated with him, his law. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “to make them loyal to you once again” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 29 figs-idiom וְ⁠לֹא־שָׁמְע֤וּ לְ⁠מִצְוֺתֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙ 1 As in [9:16](../09/16.md), **listen** in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a command, but to obey it. If your language has a word for “listen” that also means “obey,” you could use it here. Alternate translation: “did not heed your commands” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 29 una2 figs-metonymy וּ⁠בְ⁠מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣י⁠ךָ חָֽטְאוּ־בָ֔⁠ם 1 The people were actually sinning against Yahweh himself. The Levites are describing Yahweh by reference to something associated with him, his “judgments,” meaning the instructions in his law. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “they sinned against you by disobeying your instructions” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 29 וּ⁠בְ⁠מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣י⁠ךָ 1 As in [9:13](../09/13.md), this term refers to Yahweh giving the Israelites instructions in the law. It may or may not include a sense of Yahweh passing sentence as a judge. Alternate translation: “And concerning your instructions”
NEH 9 29 figs-metaphor אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֖ם וְ⁠חָיָ֣ה בָ⁠הֶ֑ם 1 **Live** here does not mean physically live or die. Rather, “live” figuratively means to be spiritually alive in relationship with God and to be happy and blessed as a result. The difference between being alive in this way and being separated from God is like the difference between being alive and being dead. Alternate translation: “If a person follows your law, then he is spiritually alive and happy and blessed.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 29 k1ew figs-metaphor וַ⁠יִּתְּנ֤וּ כָתֵף֙ סוֹרֶ֔רֶת וְ⁠עָרְפָּ֥⁠ם הִקְשׁ֖וּ 1 These are images of an ox refusing to allow its owner to put a yoke on its shoulders. Here they are a metaphor that represents the people being stubborn. Alternate translation: “They became stubborn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 29 figs-idiom וְ⁠לֹ֥א שָׁמֵֽעוּ 1 Like **listen** earlier in this verse, “hear” in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a command, but to obey it. If your language has a word for “hear” that also means “obey,” you could use it here. Alternate translation: “did not heed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 30 sj6k וַ⁠תִּמְשֹׁ֤ךְ עֲלֵי⁠הֶם֙ שָׁנִ֣ים רַבּ֔וֹת 1 Alternate translation: “you put up with them for a long time”
NEH 9 30 figs-metonymy שָׁנִ֣ים רַבּ֔וֹת 1 This is a figurative expression for “a long time.” The Levites are describing time figuratively by referring to something associated with it, the years in which time is measured. Alternate translation: “for a long time.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 30 וַ⁠תָּ֨עַד בָּ֧⁠ם בְּ⁠רוּחֲ⁠ךָ֛ בְּ⁠יַד־נְבִיאֶ֖י⁠ךָ 1 As in [9:20](../09/20.md), **spirit** here seems to be a reference to God in person. If your language uses capitalization or some other convention to indicate that a word is referring to God, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “you spoke through the prophets by your Spirit to warn the Israelites about all the wrong things they were doing.”
NEH 9 30 figs-metaphor בְּ⁠יַד־נְבִיאֶ֖י⁠ךָ 1 This is a figurative way of saying that God had the prophets deliver his message to the Israelites, the way a servant would carry a message in his hand. Alternate translation: “through the prophets” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 30 figs-metonymy וְ⁠לֹ֣א הֶאֱזִ֑ינוּ 1 The Levites are describing the act of listening figuratively here by reference to something associated with it, the ear that hears. Alternate translation: “but they refused to listen” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 30 figs-idiom וְ⁠לֹ֣א הֶאֱזִ֑ינוּ 1 Listening in this context means not just to hear but to obey. Alternate translation: “but they refused to obey” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 30 tqa5 figs-metaphor וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֔⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֖ד עַמֵּ֥י הָ⁠אֲרָצֹֽת 1 Here **hand** represents power and control. See how you translated this expression in verse 27, where it occurs twice. Alternate translation: “you allowed the neighboring peoples to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 30 ym8i grammar-connect-logic-result וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֔⁠ם 1 This word indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “As a result, you gave them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH 9 31 grammar-connect-logic-result וּֽ⁠בְ⁠רַחֲמֶ֧י⁠ךָ 1 This sentence draws a contrast between what God could have done to the people, based on what they deserved, and what God actually did in his mercy. You could begin the sentence with a word like “but” or “however” to indicate this contrast. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH 9 31 j1rz וּֽ⁠בְ⁠רַחֲמֶ֧י⁠ךָ הָ⁠רַבִּ֛ים 1 As in [9:27](../09/27.md), alternate translation: “because you are very merciful”
NEH 9 31 cl3n figs-parallelism לֹֽא־עֲשִׂיתָ֥⁠ם כָּלָ֖ה וְ⁠לֹ֣א עֲזַבְתָּ֑⁠ם 1 These two phrases do not describe separate things. They mean something similar. They describe what the people deserved for refusing to obey Yahweh. The first phrase describes what the people would have experienced in their lives. They would have been completely destroyed. The second phrase describes what they would have experienced in their relationship with Yahweh. He would have given up on them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “You did not abandon them to complete destruction.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 9 31 וְ⁠לֹ֣א עֲזַבְתָּ֑⁠ם 1 Alternate translation: “you did not give up on them”
NEH 9 31 figs-doublet חַנּ֥וּן וְ⁠רַח֖וּם 1 **Gracious** and **merciful** mean similar things. The Levites use them together to emphasize that God did not punish the Israelites the way they deserved. You do not need to repeat both words in your translation if that would make the meaning less clear for your readers. Alternate translation: “very merciful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 32 grammar-connect-logic-result וְ⁠עַתָּ֣ה 1 This phrase indicates that the Levites believe that what they are about to ask for should be the results of what they have just described. Specifically, God helped the Israelites in the past, even though they did not deserve it, because he is merciful. And so the Levites are praying for God to be merciful and help the Israelites now, even though they do not deserve it. Alternate translation: “and that is why we are praying this now” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 9 32 figs-doublet הָ⁠אֵ֨ל הַ⁠גָּד֜וֹל הַ⁠גִּבּ֣וֹר וְ⁠הַ⁠נּוֹרָא֮ 1 As in [1:5](../01/05.md), **great** and **fearsome** mean similar things. “Mighty” also means something similar. The Levites use all of these words together to emphasize how much respect God deserves. You do not need to repeat all three words in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. However, there is a slight difference in meaning, and you could also bring that out in your translation. “Great” and “mighty” refer to how powerful God is objectively. “Fearsome” reflects how people should respond to God’s greatness subjectively. They should “fear” God. This does not mean that they should be afraid of him, but that they should show him respect and reverence. Alternate translation: “the God who deserves total respect” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]. A doublet can involve the use of more than two words.)
NEH 9 32 figs-parallelism שׁוֹמֵ֣ר הַ⁠בְּרִ֣ית וְ⁠הַ⁠חֶסֶד֒ 1 As in [1:5](../01/05.md), **covenant** and **covenant faithfulness** mean similar things. The Levites the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize how certain it is that God will keep his promises. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. However, there is a slight difference in meaning, and you could bring that out in your translation even if you combine the phrases. The “covenant” is God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants. “Covenant faithfulness” is a character quality of God. He is inwardly disposed to keep all of his promises, and so he always does so faithfully. So you could say something like, “you always keep your promises faithfully because of who you are.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 9 32 j5fk figs-metaphor אַל־יִמְעַ֣ט לְ⁠פָנֶ֡י⁠ךָ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה 1 Here the Levites speak figuratively of something being small to mean that it is insignificant and not worthy of being noticed and addressed. Alternate translation: “do not regard our sufferings as insignificant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 32 figs-metonymy אַל־יִמְעַ֣ט לְ⁠פָנֶ֡י⁠ךָ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה 1 As in [9:28](../09/28.md), **face** refers figuratively to a person’s opinion or judgment, by association with the way they use the eyes in their face to see things and the way their facial expression shows what they think of those things. So the Levites would be praying that God would not regard their suffering as insignificant. Alternate translation: “do not regard our sufferings as insignificant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 32 figs-personification הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְ⁠נוּ 1 Here the Levites speak of the suffering that the Israelites have experienced as if it were a living thing that has looked for them and found them in order to cause them harm. Alternate translation: “the sufferings we have experienced” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH 9 32 figs-abstractnouns הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְ⁠נוּ 1 **Hardship** is an abstract noun that refers to the suffering that the Israelites have experienced as a result of being conquered and dominated by foreign nations. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “suffer.” Alternate translation: “how much we have suffered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 9 32 u6i9 bita-hq וְ⁠לַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ 1 **Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 32 pl1f figs-explicit מִ⁠ימֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י אַשּׁ֔וּר עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה 1 The implication is that the Levites are talking about the suffering that the Israelites have experienced specifically because foreign nations have conquered them, beginning with the Assyrians who first conquered the northern part of Israel. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “from the time Israel was first conquered by the Assyrian kings until now.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 32 figs-merism מִ⁠ימֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י אַשּׁ֔וּר עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה 1 This is a figure of speech in which the Levites are describing an entire time period by reference to its beginning and end, in order to include everything in between. Alternate translation: “the entire time we have been under foreign domination” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH 9 33 וְ⁠אַתָּ֣ה צַדִּ֔יק עַ֖ל כָּל־הַ⁠בָּ֣א עָלֵ֑י⁠נוּ 1 Here the word **righteous** refers to God’s actions, as a reflection of his character. Alternate translation: “we acknowledge you have done the right thing in allowing all this to happen to us”
NEH 9 33 figs-personification כָּל־הַ⁠בָּ֣א עָלֵ֑י⁠נוּ 1 Here the Levites speak of the suffering that the Israelites have experienced as if it were a living thing that has come up to them in order to cause them harm. Alternate translation: “everything we have suffered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH 9 33 grammar-connect-logic-result כִּֽי־אֱמֶ֥ת עָשִׂ֖יתָ וַ⁠אֲנַ֥חְנוּ הִרְשָֽׁעְנוּ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could put this sentence before the previous one, since it gives the reason for the results that are described in that other sentence. You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this sentence. Alternate translation: “You have always done what you said you would do, and you have never abandoned us. But we have done many wrong things. And so” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 9 34 bita-hq וַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֔י⁠נוּ 1 **Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 34 figs-parallelism לֹ֥א עָשׂ֖וּ תּוֹרָתֶ֑⁠ךָ וְ⁠לֹ֤א הִקְשִׁ֨יבוּ֙ אֶל־מִצְוֺתֶ֔י⁠ךָ וּ⁠לְ⁠עֵ֣דְוֺתֶ֔י⁠ךָ 1 These two phrases mean similar things. The Levites use the repetition to confess how completely the people have disobeyed what God told them to do. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “have completely disobeyed everything you told them to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 9 34 figs-idiom וְ⁠לֹ֤א הִקְשִׁ֨יבוּ֙ אֶל 1 Not paying attention to a command, like not listening to it, is a figurative way of saying not obeying it. Alternate translation: “have disobeyed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 34 figs-doublet מִצְוֺתֶ֔י⁠ךָ וּ⁠לְ⁠עֵ֣דְוֺתֶ֔י⁠ךָ 1 These two terms mean similar things. You do not need to repeat both of them in your translation if that would make the meaning less clear for your readers. Alternate translation: “everything you told them to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 34 וּ⁠לְ⁠עֵ֣דְוֺתֶ֔י⁠ךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַעִידֹ֖תָ בָּ⁠הֶֽם 1 As in [9:26](../09/26.md), [9:29](../09/29.md), and [9:30](../09/30), this expression means to warn someone about what they are doing. So here it is referring to “the warnings that you gave them to warn them.” You do not need to repeat the idea of “warn” twice in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “the many warnings you gave them”
NEH 9 35 af8m figs-explicit וְ⁠הֵ֣ם בְּ⁠מַלְכוּתָ⁠ם֩…לֹ֣א עֲבָד֑וּ⁠ךָ 1 **Them** means the people and their leaders, as listed in [9:32](../09/32/.md) and [9:34](../09/34.md). **Serve** is another way of saying “obey.” The implied meaning is that the Israelites did not obey Yahweh even when they had a kingdom of their own, before other nations conquered them. Alternate translation: “They did not obey you even while they had a kingdom of their own.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 35 nxv9 figs-abstractnouns וּ⁠בְ⁠טוּבְ⁠ךָ֨ הָ⁠רָ֜ב אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֣תָּ לָ⁠הֶ֗ם 1 **Goodness** is an abstract noun that refers to all the good things that God gave to the Israelites. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with an adjective such as “good.” Alternate translation: “even while they enjoyed the good things you gave them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 9 35 ibf9 figs-doublet וּ⁠בְ⁠אֶ֨רֶץ הָ⁠רְחָבָ֧ה וְ⁠הַ⁠שְּׁמֵנָ֛ה 1 These two terms mean similar things. They both indicate that the land gave to the Israelites was good for growing crops. There was a lot of room in it, and the soil was good. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these terms. Alternate translation: “the fertile land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 35 figs-metonymy וּ⁠בְ⁠אֶ֨רֶץ…וְ⁠הַ⁠שְּׁמֵנָ֛ה 1 As in [9:25](../09/25.md), “fat” means land that can produce abundantly and feed its inhabitants well. The rich character of the soil is being described figuratively by something associated with it, the well-fed character of the people it sustains. Alternate translation: “fertile land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 35 figs-metaphor אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּ לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֖ם 1 Here **face** figuratively means the front of a person. This expression is saying that God “put this land right in front of” the Israelites, emphasizing that God enabled them to defeat their enemies to get it. It was a gift from God, not something that the Israelites got for themselves. Alternate translation: “that you freely gave to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 35 figs-metaphor וְֽ⁠לֹא־שָׁ֔בוּ מִ⁠מַּֽעַלְלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם הָ⁠רָעִֽים 1 Here **turning away from** something is a figurative expression that means giving it up. Alternate translation: “they would not stop doing wrong things” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 36 q7xj הִנֵּ֛ה 1 **Behold** is a term meant to focus the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use some emphatic term or expression in your language that would have this same effect.
NEH 9 36 qh7f figs-idiom הַ⁠יּ֖וֹם 1 This does not necessarily mean on this particular day, but rather at this time. Alternate translation: “This is how things are now.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 36 bita-hq לַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֗י⁠נוּ 1 **Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 36 figs-doublet אֶת־פִּרְיָ⁠הּ֙ וְ⁠אֶת־טוּבָ֔⁠הּ 1 These two expressions mean similar things. They both refer to the crops that grow in the land the Israelites were promised. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these expressions. Alternate translation: “all the good things that grow here” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 36 figs-synecdoche פִּרְיָ⁠הּ֙ 1 This means all the crops of the land, not just the fruit that grew on the trees. The Levites are using one particular food to refer figuratively to all food. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 9 36 figs-abstractnouns טוּבָ֔⁠הּ 1 **Goodness** is an abstract noun that refers to the tasty and nourishing food that grows in the land. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “the good things that grow here” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 9 36 הִנֵּ֛ה 1 **Behold** is a term meant to focus the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use some emphatic term or expression in your language that would have this same effect.
NEH 9 37 figs-abstractnouns וּ⁠תְבוּאָתָ֣⁠הּ מַרְבָּ֗ה 1 **Produce** (pró-duce) is an abstract noun that refers to the crops that grow in the land. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “produce” (pro-dúce). Alternate translation: “all that this land produces” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 9 37 q3dz figs-explicit לַ⁠מְּלָכִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּה עָלֵ֖י⁠נוּ בְּ⁠חַטֹּאותֵ֑י⁠נוּ 1 The implication is that foreign kings now rule over the Israelites because Yahweh is punishing the Israelites for disobeying him. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the kings who now rule over us because you are punishing us for disobeying you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 37 x15l figs-parallelism לַ⁠מְּלָכִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּה עָלֵ֖י⁠נוּ…וְ⁠עַ֣ל גְּ֠וִיֹּתֵי⁠נוּ מֹשְׁלִ֤ים וּ⁠בִ⁠בְהֶמְתֵּ֨⁠נוּ֙ 1 These two phrases mean similar things. In each phrase, the Levites are describing how foreign kings now rule over the Israelites. The second phrase intensifies the first by specifying that the Israelites serve these kings as slaves, and that the Israelites do not even own the animals they work with. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that might be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “You have allowed foreign kings to rule over us as slaves who own nothing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 9 37 כִּ⁠רְצוֹנָ֔⁠ם 1 Alternate translation: “as they see fit”
NEH 9 38 g7s3 grammar-connect-logic-result וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־זֹ֕את 1 This phrase indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the actions that the people are taking in response to everything that the Levites have just said. That is, they are doing this because they and their ancestors had disobeyed and Yahweh had punished them. Alternate translation: “In light of all this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 9 38 t4ag אֲנַ֛חְנוּ כֹּרְתִ֥ים אֲמָנָ֖ה 1 The word “faithful’ here does not mean that the covenant will act in a certain way, but that the people themselves are promising to be faithful to this covenant. Alternate translation: “we are making a covenant that we promise to keep”
NEH 9 38 xee9 אֲנַ֛חְנוּ כֹּרְתִ֥ים 1 As in [9:8](../09/08.md), to “cut” a covenant is a Hebrew [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] for making a solemn agreement with a person. Review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “we are making a covenant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 38 figs-explicit וְ⁠כֹתְבִ֑ים וְ⁠עַל֙ הֶֽ⁠חָת֔וּם שָׂרֵ֥י⁠נוּ לְוִיֵּ֖⁠נוּ כֹּהֲנֵֽי⁠נוּ 1 The implication is that the Israelites had scribes write this covenant on a scroll, the leaders wrote their names on it representing all the people, and then the Israelites sealed the document to make it official and to preserve it. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “We are writing this covenant on a scroll. The community leaders, the Levites, and the priests will sign it. And then we will seal it.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 38 שָׂרֵ֥י⁠נוּ 1 This means the community leaders. From the document itself, it appears that these included both Nehemiah as the governor (10:1) and various tribal and extended-family leaders (10:14–27).
NEH 10 intro m17y 0 # Nehemiah 10 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>This chapter concludes the passage beginning in chapter 9.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### The vow<br><br>By signing this document, the people vowed or agreed to obey God, not to buy things on the Sabbath and to pay their temple tax. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/vow]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sabbath]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/temple]])
NEH 10 1 ijh7 0 Connecting Statement: Here begins a list of the people whose names were on the sealed document.
NEH 10 1 jc8x figs-explicit וְ⁠עַ֖ל הַ⁠חֲתוּמִ֑ים נְחֶמְיָ֧ה הַ⁠תִּרְשָׁ֛תָא בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֖ה וְ⁠צִדְקִיָּֽה 1 On the sealed documents were Nehemiah…Zedekiah The names of these people were written on the documents. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “On the sealed documents were the names of Nehemiah…Zedekiah” or “On the sealed documents were the names of the following people: Nehemiah…Zedekiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

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