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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Nehemiah 1:5 Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/1-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/16_Neh_01_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 1:5 - Nehemiah's Prayer" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then I said: O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love 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id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then I said: &#8220LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then I said, “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And I said: “I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, <i>You</i> who keep <i>Your</i> covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I said, “Please, LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps the covenant and faithfulness for those who love Him and keep His commandments:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I said, &#8220I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And I said, “I beseech Thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I said, “I beseech You, O Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and fearsome God, who keeps the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And I said, “Please, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I said, LORD, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I said, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and said, I beseech thee, O Jehovah, the God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />LORD God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and said, I beseech thee, O LORD, the God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I said, "LORD God of heaven, great and awe-inspiring God, you faithfully keep your promise and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"LORD God of Heaven! You are great, and we stand in fear of you. You faithfully keep your covenant with those who love you and do what you command. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I said, "Please, LORD, God of Heaven, the great and fearsome God who keeps the covenant, showing gracious love to those who love you and keep your commands, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I said: ?O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then I said, "Please, O LORD God of heaven, great and awesome God, who keeps his loving covenant with those who love him and obey his commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and said, "I beg you, LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and said, “I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And I say, “Ah, now, O YHWH, God of the heavens, God, the great and the fearful, keeping the covenant and kindness for those loving Him, and for those keeping His commands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I say, 'I beseech thee, O Jehovah, God of the heavens, God, the great and the fearful, keeping the covenant and kindness for those loving Him, and for those keeping His commands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And saying, Now O Jehovah, God of the heavens, the great and terrible God watching the covenant and mercy to those loving him, and to those watching his commands:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I said: WI beseech thee, 0 Lord God of heaven, strong, great, and terrible, who keepest covenant and mercy with those that love thee, and keep thy commandments : <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I said: “I beg you, O Lord, God of heaven, strong, great, and terrible, who keeps covenant and mercy with those who love you and who keep your commandments:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I prayed: “LORD, God of heaven, great and awesome God, you preserve your covenant of mercy with those who love you and keep your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And I said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the mighty, the great and revered God, who keeps truth and grace for those who love him and keep his commandments;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I was saying: “I beg of you, LORD JEHOVAH, God of Heaven, God The Mighty Man, and great and awesome, keeping the truth and grace for his friends and for those keeping his commandments,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and said: 'I beseech Thee, O LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awful God, that keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I said, Nay, I pray thee, O Lord God of heaven, the mighty, the great and terrible, keeping thy covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to those that keep his commandments:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=45" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/1.htm">Nehemiah's Prayer</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wā·’ō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Then I said:</a> <a href="/hebrew/577.htm" title="577: ’ān·nā (Interjection) -- Ah, now! I (we) beseech you! Or mannah; apparent contracted from 'ahabah and na'; oh now!">“O</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê (N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">of heaven,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: hag·gā·ḏō·wl (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">the great</a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: wə·han·nō·w·rā (Conj-w, Art:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">and awesome</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: hā·’êl (Art:: N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: šō·mêr (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">who keeps</a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: hab·bə·rîṯ (Art:: N-fs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">His covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/2617.htm" title="2617: wā·ḥe·seḏ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty. From chacad; kindness; by implication piety: rarely reproof, or Beauty.">of loving devotion</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: lə·’ō·hă·ḇāw (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 3ms) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">with those who love Him</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: ū·lə·šō·mə·rê (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">and keep</a> <a href="/hebrew/4687.htm" title="4687: miṣ·wō·ṯāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Commandment. From tsavah; a command, whether human or divine.">His commandments,</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Daniel 9:4</a></span><br />And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">Deuteronomy 7:9</a></span><br />Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6</a></span><br />but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/145-13.htm">Psalm 145:13</a></span><br />Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful in all His words and kind in all His actions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-23.htm">1 Kings 8:23</a></span><br />and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-10.htm">Deuteronomy 5:10</a></span><br />but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-17.htm">Psalm 103:17-18</a></span><br />But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children— / to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a></span><br />Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/6-14.htm">2 Chronicles 6:14</a></span><br />and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven or on earth, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-1.htm">Psalm 89:1-2</a></span><br />A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the loving devotion of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations. / For I have said, “Loving devotion is built up forever; in the heavens You establish Your faithfulness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/136-1.htm">Psalm 136:1-2</a></span><br />Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever. / Give thanks to the God of gods. His loving devotion endures forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-3.htm">Isaiah 55:3</a></span><br />Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-18.htm">Jeremiah 32:18</a></span><br />You show loving devotion to thousands but lay the iniquity of the fathers into the laps of their children after them, O great and mighty God whose name is the LORD of Hosts,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-22.htm">Lamentations 3:22-23</a></span><br />Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. / They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a></span><br />If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And said, I beseech you, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keeps covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:</p><p class="hdg">the great</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/4-14.htm">Nehemiah 4:14</a></b></br> And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, <i>which is</i> great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-21.htm">Deuteronomy 7:21</a></b></br> Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God <i>is</i> among you, a mighty God and terrible.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/17-21.htm">1 Chronicles 17:21</a></b></br> And what one nation in the earth <i>is</i> like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem <i>to be</i> his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?</p><p class="hdg">keepeth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-6.htm">Exodus 20:6</a></b></br> And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">Deuteronomy 7:9</a></b></br> Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he <i>is</i> God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/8-23.htm">1 Kings 8:23</a></b></br> And he said, LORD God of Israel, <i>there is</i> no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_chronicles/17-21.htm">Awesome</a> <a href="/judges/20-12.htm">Awful</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-40.htm">Beg</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-40.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/ezra/9-14.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/ezra/9-14.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/ezra/10-3.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/20-3.htm">Feared</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-25.htm">Fearful</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-3.htm">Great</a> <a href="/ezra/10-13.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-6.htm">Keepeth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-26.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/ezra/9-6.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/ezra/9-9.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/ezra/9-10.htm">Laws</a> <a href="/ezra/9-9.htm">Loving</a> <a href="/ezra/9-9.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/ezra/7-26.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/ezra/7-26.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-13.htm">Preserves</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/20-21.htm">Steadfast</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-25.htm">Terrible</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-21.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/4-14.htm">Awesome</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-14.htm">Awful</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-8.htm">Beg</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-8.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-7.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-7.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-8.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-14.htm">Feared</a> <a href="/job/15-21.htm">Fearful</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-7.htm">Great</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-2.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-9.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-9.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/job/12-15.htm">Keepeth</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-21.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/job/5-15.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-7.htm">Laws</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Loving</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-11.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-9.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-29.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/job/24-22.htm">Preserves</a> <a href="/job/10-12.htm">Steadfast</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-14.htm">Terrible</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-6.htm">True.</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/1-1.htm">Nehemiah, understanding by Hanani the misery of Jerusalem, mourns, fasts, and prays</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/1-5.htm">His prayer</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' 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prayer, highlighting the importance of prayer in the life of a believer. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king, begins his mission with prayer, setting an example of seeking divine guidance before taking action. This reflects the biblical principle of acknowledging God in all endeavors (<a href="/proverbs/3-6.htm">Proverbs 3:6</a>).<p><b>O LORD, God of heaven:</b><br>The title "God of heaven" emphasizes God's sovereignty and supreme authority over all creation. This title is significant in the post-exilic context, as it acknowledges God's rule beyond the earthly realm, contrasting with the limited power of earthly kings. It aligns with Daniel's recognition of God's dominion (<a href="/daniel/2-19.htm">Daniel 2:19-23</a>).<p><b>the great and awesome God:</b><br>This description of God underscores His majesty and power, inspiring reverence and awe. It reflects the biblical theme of God's greatness, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/10-17.htm">Deuteronomy 10:17</a>, where God is described as "God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God." This acknowledgment sets the tone for a prayer of humility and dependence.<p><b>who keeps His covenant of loving devotion:</b><br>The reference to God's covenant highlights His faithfulness and steadfast love (Hebrew: "hesed"). This covenantal relationship is central to the Old Testament, beginning with Abraham and continuing through Moses and David. It assures believers of God's unwavering commitment to His promises, as seen in <a href="/psalms/89-34.htm">Psalm 89:34</a>.<p><b>with those who love Him and keep His commandments:</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the conditional aspect of the covenant, requiring love and obedience from God's people. It echoes the Shema in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-5</a>, which calls for wholehearted love and adherence to God's laws. This relationship between love and obedience is further affirmed by Jesus in <a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a>, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah</a></b><br>A Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah is the central figure in the book. He is known for his leadership in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and his dedication to God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city of Jerusalem is central to the account. It is the holy city for the Jewish people, and its walls were in ruins at the time of Nehemiah's prayer.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god_of_heaven.htm">God of Heaven</a></b><br>This title emphasizes God's sovereignty and supreme authority over all creation, a common theme in the post-exilic period.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a></b><br>Refers to the solemn agreement between God and His people, highlighting God's faithfulness and the expected response of obedience from His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/commandments.htm">Commandments</a></b><br>The laws given by God to the Israelites, which are central to their covenant relationship with Him.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_god's_sovereignty.htm">Recognizing God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Nehemiah begins his prayer by acknowledging God as "the great and awesome God." This teaches us to start our prayers with a recognition of God's majesty and authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_faithfulness.htm">Covenant Faithfulness</a></b><br>Nehemiah emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant. We are reminded that God is always faithful, and we are called to respond with love and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_a_first_response.htm">Prayer as a First Response</a></b><br>Nehemiah's immediate turn to prayer in a time of distress teaches us the importance of seeking God first in our challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/loving_devotion_and_obedience.htm">Loving Devotion and Obedience</a></b><br>The connection between loving God and keeping His commandments is crucial. Our love for God should manifest in our obedience to His Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intercessory_prayer.htm">Intercessory Prayer</a></b><br>Nehemiah's prayer is intercessory, standing in the gap for his people. We are encouraged to pray not only for ourselves but also for others, especially in times of need.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nehemiah_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_neh._1_5-7_and_ot_agree_on_sin,_covenant.htm">In Nehemiah 1:5–7, are the concepts of collective sin and covenant consistent with other Old Testament texts or do they create contradictions? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_nehemiah_rebuild_and_restore.htm">How did Nehemiah rebuild Jerusalem's walls and restore faith?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_can_solomon_build_the_temple,_not_david.htm">Why does God prohibit David from building the temple in 2 Samuel 7 yet allow Solomon to do so, raising questions of consistency in divine commands?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_nehemiah_in_the_bible.htm">Who is Nehemiah in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And said, I beseech thee</span>. The opening of Nehemiah's prayer follows so closely the thoughts and words of Daniel's (<a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Daniel 9:4</a>), that it is almost impossible to suppose that one of the two writers had not the words of the other before him. As there are no sufficient grounds for questioning the generally received date of Daniel's prophecy ( <span class="date">B.C. 536</span>), we must suppose Nehemiah familiar with his writings, and an admirer of their tone and spirit. In this verse he differs from Daniel only in substituting "Jehovah" for "Lord" (<span class="accented">Adonai</span>), and introducing his own favourite phrase "God of heaven." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then I said:</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֹמַ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I pray,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָֽנָּ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(’ān·nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_577.htm">Strong's 577: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ah, now! I (we) beseech you!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> </span><span class="str2">YHWH</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of heaven,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the great</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגָּד֖וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gā·ḏō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and awesome</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַנּוֹרָ֑א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·han·nō·w·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֵ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who keeps</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁמֵ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(šō·mêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">His covenant</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּרִית֙</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·rîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of loving devotion</span><br /><span class="heb">וָחֶ֔סֶד</span> <span class="translit">(wā·ḥe·seḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2617.htm">Strong's 2617: </a> </span><span class="str2">Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with those who love Him</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאֹהֲבָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ō·hă·ḇāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and keep</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·šō·mə·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">His commandments,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְוֺתָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·wō·ṯāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4687.htm">Strong's 4687: </a> </span><span class="str2">Commandment</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Nehemiah 1:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/1-5.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 1:5 And said I beg you Yahweh (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 1:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 1:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/1-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 1:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 1:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>