Nehemiah 13:1-3

Listen to Nehemiah 13:1-3

Nehemiah’s Final Reforms

1 On that day 1they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written 2that 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, 3they separated from Israel all 4those of foreign descent.

Nehemiah 13:1-3 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NEHEMIAH 13

This chapter relates the reformation of various abuses crept in among the Jews by Nehemiah, who removed the Moabites and Ammonites, mixed with them, Ne 13:1-3, threw the household goods of Tobiah out of a chamber of the temple, and restored it to its former use, Ne 13:4-9, took care that the Levites had their portion given them which had been kept from them, Ne 13:10-14 prevented the profanation of the sabbath by selling goods on that day, Ne 13:15-22, and put a stop to the marrying of strange wives, which had prevailed again among them, Ne 13:23-31.

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Cross References 4

  • 1. 13:1 ch. 8:3, 8, 9, 18; 9:3; [Deut. 31:11, 12; 2 Kgs. 23:2]
  • 2. 13:1 See Deut. 23:3-5
  • 3. 13:3 See ch. 9:2
  • 4. 13:3 [Ex. 12:38; Num. 11:4]
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025