Deuteronomy 23:7

7 Thou shalt not abhorre an Edomite, for he is thy brother: nether shalt thou abhorre an Egiptian, because thou wast a straunger in hys londe.

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 Neuerthelesse the Lorde thy God wolde not herken vnto Balaam, but turned the curse to a blessinge vnto the, because the Lorde thy God loued the.

6 Thou shalt neuer therfore seke that which is prosperouse or good for them all thy dayes for euer.

7 Thou shalt not abhorre an Edomite, for he is thy brother: nether shalt thou abhorre an Egiptian, because thou wast a straunger in hys londe.

8 The childern that are begotten of them shall come in to the congregacyon of the Lorde in the .iij. generacion.

9 When thou goest out with the host agenst thine enemies, kepe the fro all wekednesse for the Lorde is amonge you.