Nehemiah 13:3

3 As soon as the people heard the law, ¹they separated from Israel all ²those of foreign descent.

Nehemiah 13:3 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 13:3

Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law
Or the law concerning the Ammonite and the Moabite, and which included other nations also, and forbad marriage with them:

that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude;
all of these, and other nations, they had contracted affinity with.

Nehemiah 13:3 In-Context

1 On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,

2 for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them--yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.

3 As soon as the people heard the law, they separated from Israel all those of foreign descent.

4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah,

5 prepared for Tobiah a large chamber where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests.

Cross References

• 1. See Nehemiah 9:2
• 2. [Exodus 12:38; Numbers 11:4]