Definition: Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 9:26. It’s a really important and somewhat harsh passage about how people who were supposed to follow God’s laws behaved badly. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Situation: Nehemiah was in Jerusalem: The verse is taken out of the context of Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of the city. The Rebels: A group of people, led by someone named “the one who was rebellious,” were actively trying to hide God’s laws away from everyone else. They weren’t following them; they were deliberately trying to avoid them. What They Did: Hide the Law: They purposefully kept the rules and instructions of God's law hidden, preventing others from understanding and obeying them. Kill the Prophets: Crucially, they actively killed people who were speaking out about the laws – prophets! These were individuals who were trying to share the message of God’s will. Why This Matters (The Core Message): This verse is a serious warning against disobedience and rebellion against authority. It highlights that: Disobedience is Wrong: Simply not following God's laws isn't okay. It's a direct violation of His instructions. Rebellion is Dangerous: Trying to hide or suppress the truth is a dangerous thing. It can lead to opposition and ultimately, harm. The Prophets Were Important: The verse emphasizes that prophets were crucial because they carried God’s word and were meant to guide people towards righteousness. Their efforts were vital for maintaining order and bringing people back to God. In short, this verse is a reminder that disobedience and rebellion against authority – especially those who are trying to share the truth of God – can have serious consequences. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Give you a more detailed explanation of a specific aspect (like the context of the time)?