Nehemiah 13:24

24 and their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.

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 commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember unto me, O my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy lovingkindness.

23 In those days also saw I the Jews that had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, [and] of Moab:

24 and their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.

25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.

26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin.