Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.
Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors have not obeyed your law or listened to your commands and warnings that you gave them.
The writer is confessing that Israel's leaders and ancestors consistently failed to follow God's laws and ignored His warnings throughout their history.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of a lengthy prayer of confession during Nehemiah's time, after the Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem. The Israelites were reflecting on their nation's long history of disobedience that led to their exile. They acknowledged that from kings down to common people, their ancestors had repeatedly broken God's covenant despite receiving clear laws and prophetic warnings.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.