Deuteronomy 23:1-8

Who Can Worship With the LORD's People?

1 No man whose sex organs have been crushed or cut can join in worship with the LORD's people.

2 No one who was born to a woman who wasn't married can join in worship with the LORD's people. That also applies to the person's children for all time to come.

3 The people of Ammon and Moab can't join in worship with the LORD's people. That also applies to their children after them for all time to come.

4 The Ammonites and Moabites didn't come to meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt. They even hired Balaam from Pethor in Aram Naharaim to call down a curse on you. Balaam was the son of Beor

5 The LORD your God wouldn't listen to Balaam. Instead, he turned the curse into a blessing for you. He did it because he loves you.

6 So don't make a peace treaty with the Ammonites and Moabites as long as you live.

7 Don't hate the people of Edom. They are your relatives. Don't hate the people of Egypt. After all, you lived as outsiders in their country.

8 The great-grandchildren of the Edomites and Egyptians can join in worship with the LORD's people.

Deuteronomy 23:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 23

Orders are here given to restrain certain persons from entering into the congregation of the Lord, De 23:1-8, and to take care that there be no unclean person in the camp, or any indecent thing done in it, De 23:9-14, to protect fugitive servants, and not deliver them up to their masters, De 23:15,16 not to suffer a filthy person to be among them, or any filthy thing to be brought into the house of God for a vow, De 23:17,18, then follow some laws against usury, and for the payment of vows, De 23:19-23, and the chapter is concluded with some directions how to behave in a neighbour's vineyard, or standing corn, De 23:24,25.