Definition: Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest [them] from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 9:27. It’s a really beautiful and moving passage about God's care for His people. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God actively listened to the cries of the Israelites during a difficult time – when they were being harassed by their enemies. He wasn’t just passively noticing; He heard them, and then He responded with great kindness and help. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies…” This means God allowed the Israelites to be captured or taken over by their enemies. It was a really painful situation for them. “…who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest [them] from heaven.” This is the key part. “Thou” means "you," and “heardest” means “listened to.” The Israelites were crying out for help – pleading with God. And God, in response, listened to their cries, even when they were struggling. “…and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.” This means God showed great generosity and kindness by providing them with help – specifically, saving them from being captured. “Manifold mercies” is a fancy way of saying “great kindness and generosity.” He gave them relief and protection. So, what’s the big takeaway? This verse highlights God's love and concern for His people. It shows that even when they are facing terrible hardship, God always listens to their cries, offers comfort, and provides help. It emphasizes that God is always there for those who need him. In short: God heard the Israelites’ desperate pleas and responded with great compassion, saving them from harm. --- Do you want me to explain any of this in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the concept of "manifold mercies" further? Connect it to a specific story or event in the Bible?