“You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red Sea, and showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, and against all his servants, and against all the people of his land; for you knew that they dealt proudly against them, and made a name for yourself, as it is today. You divided the sea before them, so that they went through the middle of the sea on the dry land; and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters.
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Nehemiah 9:9-11 sits inside this longer paragraph.
“You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red Sea, and showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, and against all his servants, and against all the people of his land; for you knew that they dealt proudly against them, and made a name for yourself, as it is today. You divided the sea before them, so that they went through the middle of the sea on the dry land; and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters. Moreover, in a pillar of cloud you led them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way in which they should go.
Parallel Translations
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“You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red Sea,
and showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, and against all his servants, and against all the people of his land; for you knew that they dealt proudly against them, and made a name for yourself, as it is today.
You divided the sea before them, so that they went through the middle of the sea on the dry land; and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters.
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And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.
And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.
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And Thou sawest the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red Sea;
and didst show signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land; for Thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them; and didst get Thee a name, as it is this day.
And Thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their pursuers Thou didst cast into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters.
Cross-references (42)
- Psalms 78:13 (v11) He split the sea, and caused them to pass through. He made the waters stand as a heap.
- Exodus 14:21-22 (v11) Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Yahweh caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land,…
- Jeremiah 32:20 (v10) who performed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even to this day, both in Israel and among other men; and made yourself a name, as it…
- Daniel 9:15 (v10) “Now, Lord our God, who has brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have gotten yourself renown, as it is…
- Exodus 14:27-28 (v11) Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against…
Show all 42 cross-references
- Exodus 3:7-9 (v9) Yahweh said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I…
- Exodus 5:2 (v10) Pharaoh said, “Who is Yahweh, that I should listen to his voice to let Israel go? I don’t know Yahweh, and moreover I will not let Israel…
- Exodus 14:1-31 (v10) Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the…
- Exodus 18:11 (v10) Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods because of the way that they treated people arrogantly.”
- Deuteronomy 4:34 (v10) Or has God tried to go and take a nation for himself from among another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand,…
- Psalms 66:6 (v11) He turned the sea into dry land. They went through the river on foot. There, we rejoiced in him.
- Psalms 106:9-11 (v11) He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through a desert. He saved them from the hand of…
- Psalms 114:3-5 (v11) The sea saw it, and fled. The Jordan was driven back. The mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs. What was it, you sea,…
- Psalms 136:13-15 (v11) to him who divided the Red Sea apart; for his loving kindness endures forever; and made Israel to pass through the middle of it; for his…
- Isaiah 63:11-13 (v11) Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying, “Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his…
- Isaiah 63:12 (v10) Who caused his glorious arm to be at Moses’ right hand? Who divided the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
- Isaiah 63:14 (v10) As the livestock that go down into the valley, Yahweh’s Spirit caused them to rest. So you led your people to make yourself a glorious name.
- Hebrews 11:29 (v11) By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.
- Exodus 2:25 (v9) God saw the children of Israel, and God was concerned about them.
- Exodus 3:16 (v9) Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob,…
- Exodus 5:7-8 (v10) “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. You shall require from…
- Exodus 7:1–12:32 (v10) Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I have made you as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I…
- Exodus 14:10-14 (v9) When Pharaoh came near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were very…
- Exodus 15:1-21 (v11) Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, “I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. He has…
- Deuteronomy 11:3-4 (v10) his signs, and his works, which he did in the middle of Egypt to Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and to all his land; and what he did to the…
- Joshua 2:10-11 (v10) For we have heard how Yahweh dried up the water of the Red Sea before you, when you came out of Egypt; and what you did to the two kings of…
- Job 40:11-12 (v10) Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low. Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the…
- Psalms 78:12-13 (v10) He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. He split the sea, and caused them to…
- Psalms 78:43-53 (v10) how he set his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the field of Zoan, he turned their rivers into blood, and their streams, so that they could…
- Psalms 83:18 (v10) that they may know that you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth.
- Psalms 105:27-37 (v10) They performed miracles among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. He sent darkness, and made it dark. They didn’t rebel against his…
- Psalms 106:7-11 (v10) Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt. They didn’t remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at…
- Psalms 135:8-9 (v10) He struck the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and animal. He sent signs and wonders into the middle of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all…
- Psalms 136:10-15 (v10) to him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; for his loving kindness endures forever; and brought out Israel from among them; for his…
- Ezekiel 20:9 (v10) But I worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among which they were, in whose sight I made…
- Daniel 4:37 (v10) Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk…
- Daniel 5:23 (v10) but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords,…
- Acts 7:34 (v9) I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now come,…
- Acts 7:36 (v10) This man led them out, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.
- Romans 9:17 (v10) For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name…
- 1 Peter 5:5 (v10) Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another;…
- Revelation 18:21 (v11) A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city,…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (12 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv9–11 Neh 9:9 And didst see the affliction of our…
Neh 9:9 And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
Ver. 9. And didst see the affliction] The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, as well as his ears open to their prayers; he knoweth their soul in adversity, et de remedio prospicit, he is solicitous of their safety.
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And heardest their cry by the Red Sea] Though mixed with much murmuring, Exo 14:10. So he heard that pitiful poor prayer of David, Psa 31:22, "I said in mine haste, I am cut off from thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications, when I cried unto thee." God heareth the young ravens, Psa 147:9, though they have but a hoarse and harsh note, make no melody to move pity, and cry but by implication only, and not directly unto him.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv10–11 They dealt proudly against them; treating thy people with…
They dealt proudly against them; treating thy people with great scorn and contempt, like slaves and beasts.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv9–11 And didst see the affliction of our fathers in…
And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt,.... The hard bondage in which their lives were made bitter; and was not a mere spectator of it, but looked upon them in it with pity and compassion, and sent them a deliverer, Exo 2:23
and heardest their cry by the Red sea; which was before them, and the rocks on both sides of them, and the host of Pharaoh behind, pressing upon them, when he heard them, and wrought salvation for them, Exo 14:10.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v9 Neh 9:9-10. And didst see the affliction of our…
Neh 9:9-10. And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt — God’s providences over Isaac and Jacob are passed by, to come to his interpositions in their behalf, since they became a nation; that is, since he had made good his covenant with Abraham, in multiplying his seed as the stars of heaven; at the time of entering into which covenant he had foretold that his seed should suffer grievous affliction in Egypt; from which having rescued them, he completed their deliverance at the Red sea, when they cried to him, as is here mentioned. It was reasonable to remember this, now they were interceding for the perfecting of their deliverance out of Babylon. And showedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh — Many and mighty, such as were unprecedented and unparalleled, thereby getting honour upon him, and upon his servants and people, the deliverance of thy people being the destruction of their enemies. For thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them — Intending to make them their slaves for ever, as, for the present, they treated them with the utmost contempt and cruelty.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v10 A name, Glorious, (Menochius) and to be feared by…
A name, Glorious, (Menochius) and to be feared by all, Exodus xiv.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v10 10. Get thee a name — A wondrous fame…
10. Get thee a name — A wondrous fame for Almighty power over false gods. Jehovah made for himself such a name by the miracles which he wrought for Israel.
As it is this day — Jehovah’s fame had not departed, for in Nehemiah’s time the miracles of the Exodus were still remembered and extolled.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv9–11 9–11. The Deliverance from Egypt
9–11. The Deliverance from Egypt
9. didst see] R.V. thou sawest. The words are probably based on Exo_3:7, ‘And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people.’
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heardest their cry by the Red sea] Cf. Exo_14:10, ‘And, behold, the Egyptians marched after them … and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.’ 15, ‘And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me.’ In both cases the verb ‘cry’ is the same root as the substantive here used.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On v11 (11) As a stone into the mighty waters—Compare the…
(11) As a stone into the mighty waters—Compare the Song of Moses, and mark in the Hebrew both the identity and the variation.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv9–11 Vers. 9-11. Redemption from Egypt.
Vers. 9-11. Redemption from Egypt.
The people proceed to celebrate the power and goodness of God as displayed in the deliverance of their ancestors from Egyptian bondage.
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I THE CONDITION FROM WHICH THEY WERE DELIVERED. It was one of
1. Cruel oppression. "They dealt proudly," insolently and cruelly, "against them.
2. Misery. "The affliction of our fathers.
II THE SUCCESSIVE STEPS OF THEIR DELIVERANCE.
1. The Divine notice of their condition. "Didst see," etc., "thou knewest," etc. God seemed to have forgotten them, but he had not. His eye was on them; their condition interested him; and at length, in the fulness of time, he interposed to rescue them.
2. The plagues inflicted on the ruler and people of Egypt.
3. The wonders wrought at the Red Sea. In utmost apparent peril, the people and Moses cried unto God; he heard "their cry" (ver. 9), divided the waters, led the Israelites safely through, and overwhelmed their "pursuers.
III ONE GREAT RESULT OF THEIR DELIVERANCE. "So didst thou get thee a name," etc. (comp. Exo_9:16) Jehovah secured for himself a name for power, terribleness, special favour to Israel; a name widespread, lasting ("as it is this day," and still in our day); a name to be revered, trusted, loved, rejoiced in, praised, published. The Jews never wearied of proclaiming in their Psalms the name of him who redeemed them from Egypt so marvellously; and, in recalling this great redemption to mind, renewed from time to time their confidence that God who had done so much for them would not forsake them. Notice
1. The importance of these events for the Israelites. Not only for their immediate effects; but they gave the nation birth, separated them from the spiritual perils of Egypt, its idolatry, etc. Their passage through the Red Sea was their national baptism unto Moses, and unto God by him, (1Co_10:2) consecrating them to be the people of God, to learn and practise his laws, maintain his worship, preserve the knowledge of him for the benefit ultimately of the world.
2. Their significance for us.
(1) Direct. As a display of the power and goodness of our God, his mindfulness of his people in their sorrows, and sure deliverance of them, though they may long have to "wait for him." As a pledge of the final triumph of his Church over all its enemies. And as one of the most marvellous of that series of interpositions which had for their object the enlightenment and salvation of the Gentiles as well as the Jews.
(2) Typical. Of the great redemption wrought for us in Christ by his death and the power of the Holy Ghost. The creation and consecration of a new and larger "Israel of God." This redemption is, like that of the Israelites, a deliverance from slavery into freedom, from degradation into honour, from misery into happiness, with the prospect of a settled and blessed rest; but vastly superior in respect to the marvels by which it was, and is, wrought, the evils from which it saves, and the blessings to which it introduces. Estimating these aright, we shall be prepared and impelled to "sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb". (Rev_15:3)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v9 And didst see the affliction of our fathers in…
Neh_9:9
And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt.
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The path of duty the path of trial
I. That the path of human duty here runs through great trials.
1. Sometimes it involves the sacrifice of endeared friendship. Lot had to separate from Abraham, Barnabas from Paul, Paul from Mark.
2. Sometimes it involves the sacrifice of worldly prospects.
3. Sometimes it involves the endangering of life itself.
4. Sometimes it involves an outrage on our tender sentiments. Abraham offering up Isaac.
II. That great trials through which the path of duty here runs serve to test the principles of the pilgrims.
1. It reveals the bad principles of the heart. The Jews at the Red Sea revealed their ingratitude, meanness, aspostasy, cowardice,
2. It reveals the good principles of the heart.
III. That unbounded faith in god is essential to carry us safely through the path of duty with all its great trials. (Homilist.)
God our helper
The following is an extract from Stanley to Sir William Mackinnon: You, who throughout your long and varied life have steadfastly believed in the Christians God, and before men have professed your devout thankfulness for many mercies vouchsafed to you, will better understand than many others the feelings which animate me when I find myself back again in civilisation, uninjured in life or health, after passing through so many stormy and distressful periods. Constrained at the darkest hour to humbly confess that without Gods help I was helpless, I vowed a vow in the forest solitudes that I would confess His aid before men. A silence as of death was round about me; it was midnight; I was weakened by illness, prostrated with fatigue, and worn with anxiety for my white and black companions whose fate was a mystery. In this physical and mental distress I besought God to give me back my people. Nine hours later we were exulting with a rapturous joy. In full view of all was the crimson flag with the crescent, and beneath its waving folds was the long-lost rear column. Mungo Park was comforted by the Lord by a tiny morsel of moss, and Livingstone was preserved by Him when most people gave him up for lost: and now, from the awful gloom of endless forests, Stanley cries unto the living God, and lives to bear witness to the faithfulness of the prayer-hearing Jehovah.
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv9, 11 Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.
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You saw
Yahweh saw
you heard their cry
The implied information is that God was moved to action because of the Israelites' cries for help. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
signs and wonders against Pharaoh
The plagues tested Pharaoh's heart, and they became a witness against his hardness of heart. AT: "signs and wonders that testified against Pharaoh" or "signs and wonders that condemned Pharaoh" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
all the people of his land
"all the Egyptians"
acted with arrogance against them
"were arrogant toward the Israelites" or "mistreated God's chosen people"
you made a name for yourself which stands to this day
Here "name" represents a reputation. AT: "you made yourself famous and even now people still remember" (See: Metonymy)
translationWords
afflicted
ancestor
Egypt
Sea of Reeds
sign
miracle
Pharaoh
servant
name
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv9–10 9:9 God had paid attention to his people’s misery…
9:9 God had paid attention to his people’s misery under foreign domination (Exod 2:23-25; 3:7; 14:10-14), which was analogous to their present situation (Neh 9:32-37).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.