1. Nehemiah 1:8 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does Nehemiah mean with the word “remember”?

Nehemiah 1:8 (ESV)

8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples,

With the word remember, Nehemiah moves from confession to petition. In the Bible the word remember means more than simply call to mind (as if omniscient God forgets). Instead, it refers to God acting upon that which he is to remember (Genesis 8:1). The content of the acting Nehemiah seeks from God is implied in Nehemiah 1:10 (that is, since they are your servants and your people, do as you promised: restore).