Nehemiah 13:24

24 and their children spoke half in the language of Ashdod, and did not know how to speak in the Jewish language.

Nehemiah 13:24 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 13:24

And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod
Which they learned of their mothers, so that it was a mixed language they spoke, partly Jewish and partly Philistine; but some refer this not to their speech, but to the number of their children; that half of them, which Jarchi interprets many of them, spoke in the language of Ashdod, even as many as were most with their mothers, and chiefly brought up by them:

and could not speak in the Jews' language;
not at all, or so much as to be understood well, which inclines to the last sense:

but according to the language of each people;
their mothers were of, whether of Ashdod, or of Ammon, or of Moab.

Nehemiah 13:24 In-Context

22 and I told the Levites who were purifying themselves, and came and kept the gates, that they should sanctify the sabbath-day. Remember me, O God, for these things, and spare me according to the abundance of thy mercy.

23 And in those days I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, of Moab:

24 and their children spoke half in the language of Ashdod, and did not know how to speak in the Jewish language.

25 And I strove with them and cursed them; and I smote some of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, Ye shall not give your daughters to their sons, and ye shall not take of their daughters to your sons.

26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin thus? though there was no king like him among many nations, and he was beloved of God, and God made him king over all Israel; yet strange women turned him aside.