Nehemiah 9:8

8 You found his heart to be steady and true to you and signed a covenant with him, A covenant to give him the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, and the Amorites, The Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites, - to give it to his descendants. And you kept your word because you are righteous.

Nehemiah 9:8 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 9:8

And foundest his heart faithful before thee
A true believer in his word and promises, ( Genesis 15:6 ) and closely attached to the fear of him, and observance of his commands, as abundantly appeared in the trial of him, in offering up his son, ( Genesis 22:1 Genesis 22:2 Genesis 22:12 ) ,

and madest a covenant with him, to give the land of the Canaanites,
the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites,
and the Girgashites, to give it, [I say], to his seed;
not to him personally, but to his posterity, at least including and chiefly designing them; of which covenant see ( Genesis 15:18-21 ) ,

and hast performed thy words,
for thou art righteous; in all his ways and works, faithful to his promise, a covenant keeping God, and who kept and fulfilled this covenant, assisting Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan, and put Israel into the possession of it.

Nehemiah 9:8 In-Context

6 You're the one, God, you alone; You made the heavens, the heavens of heavens, and all angels; The earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them; You keep them all alive; heaven's angels worship you!
7 You're the one, God, the God who chose Abram And brought him from Ur of the Chaldees and changed his name to Abraham.
8 You found his heart to be steady and true to you and signed a covenant with him, A covenant to give him the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, and the Amorites, The Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites, - to give it to his descendants. And you kept your word because you are righteous.
9 You saw the anguish of our parents in Egypt. You heard their cries at the Red Sea;
10 You amazed Pharaoh, his servants, and the people of his land with wonders and miracle-signs. You knew their bullying arrogance against your people; you made a name for yourself that lasts to this day.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.