Deuteronomy 23:1-7

1 "No man who has been castrated or whose penis has been cut off may be included among the Lord's people.

2 "No one born out of wedlock or any descendant of such a person, even in the tenth generation, may be included among the Lord's people.

3 "No Ammonite or Moabite - or any of their descendants, even in the tenth generation - may be included among the Lord's people. ¹

4 They refused to provide you with food and water when you were on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor, from the city of Pethor in Mesopotamia, to curse you.

5 But the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam; instead he turned the curse into a blessing, because he loved you. ²

6 As long as you are a nation, never do anything to help these nations or to make them prosperous.

7 "Do not despise the Edomites; they are your relatives. And do not despise the Egyptians; you once lived in their land.

Deuteronomy 23:1-7 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.

Cross References

• 1. 23.3-5Nehemiah 13.1, 2.
• 2. 23.4Numbers 22.1-6.
• 3. 23.5Numbers 23.7--24.9.