Deuteronomy 23:7

7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite, because he is thy brother; thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian, because thou wast a stranger 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 thy God would not hearken to Balaam; and the Lord thy God changed the curses into blessings, because the Lord thy God loved thee.

6 Thou shalt not speak peaceably or profitably to them all thy days for ever.

7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite, because he is thy brother; thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian, because thou wast a stranger in his land.

8 If sons be born to them, in the third generation they shall enter into the assembly of the Lord.

9 And if thou shouldest go forth to engage with thine enemies, then thou shalt keep thee from every wicked thing.