In a physical sense the term denotes a complete turnaround. As the people had been unfaithful to their covenant obligations (with its resulting exile), the word return
denotes repentance, a turning away from their disobedience and a turning back to the Lord and trusting him anew. The language Nehemiah uses in this verse recalls Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 30:1–10, words which Solomon also prayed back to God in 2 Chronicles 6:14–42.
9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’