Deuteronomy 23:7

7 “You shall not abhor an Edomite, for ¹he is your brother. You shall not abhor an Egyptian, because ²you were a sojourner in his land.

Deuteronomy 23:7 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 23:7

Thou shall not abhor an Edomite
Or an Idumean, the descendants of Esau, whose name was Edom, ( Genesis 25:30 ) the Targum of Jonathan adds, "that comes to be made a proselyte"; he was not to be rejected with abhorrence, because of the old grudge between Jacob and Esau, and which was become national in their posterity:

for he is thy brother;
the Israelites and the Edomites were nearest akin to each other of all the nations; for Jacob and Esau were own brothers by father's and mother's side, yea, were twin brothers; the relation was very near:

thou shall not abhor an Egyptian;
that comes to be made a proselyte also, as the same Targum; though the Israelites were so ill used by them, their lives made bitter with hard bondage, and their male infants slain by them, and they for a long time refused their liberty to depart:

because thou wast a stranger in his land:
and at first received many favours and kindnesses from them, being supported and supplied with provisions during a long famine; and had one of the richest and most fruitful parts of the country assigned them to dwell in; and old favours were not to be forgotten, though they had been followed with great unkindness and cruelty.

Deuteronomy 23:7 In-Context

5 But the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam; instead the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loved you.

6 You shall not seek their peace or their prosperity all your days forever.

7 “You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother. You shall not abhor an Egyptian, because you were a sojourner in his land.

8 Children born to them in the third generation may enter the assembly of the Lord.

9 “When you are encamped against your enemies, then you shall keep yourself from every evil thing.

Cross References

• 1. 23:7 Gen. 25:24-26; Num. 20:14; Obad. 10, 12
• 2. 23:7 ch. 10:19; Ex. 22:21; 23:9; Lev. 19:34