Nehemiah 9:34

34 Our kings, our leaders, our cohanim and ancestors did not keep your Torah, pay attention to your mitzvot or heed the warnings you gave them.

Nehemiah 9:34 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 9:34

Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our
fathers, kept thy law
All ranks of men, from the highest to the lowest, had shown no regard, nor yielded obedience to the holy law of God:

nor hearkened unto thy commandments, and thy testimonies, wherewith
thou didst testify against them;
moral and ceremonial, which were a testification of the will of God to them, and a testimony against them if they observed them not.

Nehemiah 9:34 In-Context

32 "'Now therefore, our God, great, mighty, fearsome God, who keeps both covenant and grace: let not all this suffering seem little to you that has come on us, our kings, our leaders, our cohanim, our prophets, our ancestors, and on all your people, from the times of the kings of Ashur until this very day.

33 There is no question that you are just in all that has come upon us; for you have treated us fairly. It is we who have acted wickedly.

34 Our kings, our leaders, our cohanim and ancestors did not keep your Torah, pay attention to your mitzvot or heed the warnings you gave them.

35 Even when they ruled their own kingdom, even when you prospered them greatly, in the great, rich land you gave them, they did not serve you; nor did they turn from their wicked deeds.

36 "'So here we are today, slaves. Yes, in the land you gave our ancestors, so that they could eat what it produces and enjoy its good 1144 here we are in it, slaves!