Nehemiah 9:38

38 “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”^[a]

Nehemiah 9:38 in Other Translations

38 And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.

38 "Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests.

38 The people responded, “In view of all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing. On this sealed document are the names of our leaders and Levites and priests.”

38 "Because of all this we are drawing up a binding pledge, a sealed document signed by our princes, our Levites, and our priests."

38 And yet for all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, our Levites, [and] our priests, seal unto it.

38 "We are making a binding agreement [and putting it] in writing because of all this. Our leaders, Levites, and priests are putting their seals on the document."

38 In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement in writing on a sealed document [containing the names of] our leaders, Levites, and priests.

38 "So we are making a firm agreement. We're writing it down. Our leaders are stamping it with their seals. And so are our Levites and priests."

Nehemiah 9:38 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 9:38

And because of all this
Of all this distress, and that it might be removed, and be clear of it; or "in all this distress and evil", as Jarchi and Aben Ezra, in the midst of it all:

we make a sure covenant;
or faithfully promise to observe the law of God, and particularly put away strange wives, and not intermarry with the people of the land:

and write it;
that it may remain and be a testimony against them should they break it, being their own handwriting:

and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it;
as witnesses of it, and thereby binding themselves to observe the same things; their names that sealed are given in the next chapter.

Nehemiah 9:38 In-Context

36 “But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our ancestors so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces.

37 Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.

38 “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”

Cross References

• 1. S 2 Chronicles 23:16
• 2. Isaiah 44:5

Footnotes

• [a]. In Hebrew texts this verse (9:38) is numbered 10:1.