Nehemiah 9:23

23 You gave them as many children as there are stars in the sky, ¹ and let them conquer and live in the land that you had promised their ancestors to give them.

Nehemiah 9:23 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 9:23

Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven,
&c.] Fulfilling the promise made to Abraham, ( Genesis 15:5 ) ( 22:17 ) ( Deuteronomy 1:10 ) their number when they came out of Egypt, and just before they entered into the land of Canaan, being upwards of 600,000 men, besides women and children, ( Exodus 12:37 ) ( Numbers 11:21 ) ( 26:51 )

and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst
promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it;
the land of Canaan, promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their seed, into which the Lord brought them by Joshua; he was the instrument, but the thing was of God.

Nehemiah 9:23 In-Context

21 Through forty years in the desert you provided all that they needed; their clothing never wore out, and their feet were not swollen with pain.

22 "You let them conquer nations and kingdoms, lands that bordered their own. They conquered the land of Heshbon, where Sihon ruled, and the land of Bashan, where Og was king.

23 You gave them as many children as there are stars in the sky, and let them conquer and live in the land that you had promised their ancestors to give them.

24 They conquered the land of Canaan; you overcame the people living there. You gave your people the power to do as they pleased with the people and kings of Canaan.

25 Your people captured fortified cities, fertile land, houses full of wealth, cisterns already dug, olive trees, fruit trees, and vineyards. They ate all they wanted and grew fat; they enjoyed all the good things you gave them.

Cross References

• 1. 9.23 aGenesis 15.5; 22.17; bJoshua 3.14-17.