Nehemiah 9:16

9:16 “But they – our ancestors ¹  – behaved presumptuously; they rebelled ²  and did not obey your commandments.

Nehemiah 9:32-34

9:32 “So now, our God – the great, powerful, and awesome God, who keeps covenant fidelity ³  – do not regard as inconsequential ⁴  all the hardship that has befallen us – our kings, our leaders, our priests, our prophets, our ancestors, and all your people – from the days of the kings of Assyria until this very day! 9:33 You are righteous with regard to all that has happened to us, for you have acted faithfully. ⁵  It is we who have been in the wrong! 9:34 Our kings, our leaders, our priests, and our ancestors have not kept your law. They have not paid attention to your commandments or your testimonies by which you have solemnly admonished them.

[9:16]  ¹ tn Heb “and our fathers.” The vav is explicative.

[9:16]  ² tn Heb “they stiffened their neck” (so also in the following verse).

[9:32]  ³ tn Heb “the covenant and loyal love.” The expression is a hendiadys. The second noun retains its full nominal sense, while the first functions adjectivally: “the covenant and loyalty” = covenant fidelity.

[9:32]  ⁴ tn Heb “do not let it seem small in your sight.”

[9:33]  ⁵ tn Heb “you have done truth.”