The Church Fathers on this verse

Nehemiah 9:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And the seed of the children of Israel separated themselves from every stranger: and they stood, and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

Douay-Rheims

וַיִּבָּֽדְלוּ֙ זֶ֣רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִכֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֣י נֵכָ֑ר וַיַּעַמְד֗וּ וַיִּתְוַדּוּ֙ עַל־חַטֹּ֣אתֵיהֶ֔ם וַעֲוֺנ֖וֹת אֲבֹתֵיהֶֽם׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Beda Venerabilis

7th centuryChurch Father

The devotion exhibited by the people who underwent spiritual renewal after their exile is truly inspiring. After observing the feast mandated by God's law for just one day, those who had engaged in fasting and repentance gathered once more, motivated by their own desire. They eagerly adhered to all that they had learned, celebrating the days of sacred readings and committing themselves to actions that would mentally and physically distance them from those who were estranged from the Lord and failed to honor Him. They recognized that association with wicked individuals and their negative influences could once again subject them to the hardships of captivity and distress, which they understood they had successfully evaded for many centuries.

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How, then, should we interpret this on a spiritual level? Emulating the example set by these individuals, we should take the lessons learned during communal gatherings or readings regarding our responsibilities and reflect and discuss them among ourselves. In doing so, we will gain a clear understanding of how to fulfill any obligation to cleanse either our hearts or our bodies.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.