Orders are here given to restrain certain persons from entering into the congregation of the Lord, De 23:1, and to take care that there be no unclean person in the camp, or any indecent thing done in it, De 23:9, to protect fugitive servants, and not deliver them up to their masters, De 23:15 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, then follow some laws against usury, and for the payment of vows, De 23:19, and the chapter is concluded with some directions how to behave in a neighbour's vineyard, or standing corn, De 23:24.
Ver. 1. He that is wounded in the stones,.... In any of them, not accidentally, but purposely; which are crushed and bruised by the hands of men, with a design to make him unfit for generation, or to make an eunuch of him:or that hath his privy member cut by himself or another, and is a thorough eunuch by the hands of men; for of such eunuchs that are made by men, and not born so, the law speaks; so Maimonides interprets it ; See Gill on "Mt 19:12"shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; which is to be understood not of the sanctuary of the Lord, or of being refused admittance into the church of God, and to join in religious rites, and partake of sacred ordinances, which all Israelites, and strangers that were proselytes, had a right unto; such might bring their offerings, keep the passover, &c.
Ex 12:48 nor of the commonwealth of Israel, as if unfit to be members of civil society; it cannot be thought that such defects should abridge them of their civil rights and privileges: but by the congregation is to be understood the elders, judges, and representatives of the people, that met together in some one place to execute judgment; see Nu 35:12, into which such persons were not to be admitted; either because disgraceful and dishonourable, or because of the influence such defects have on their minds, they thereby becoming effeminate, irresolute, and wanting courage, as well as in opposition to the customs and usages of the Heathens, with whom it was common to admit such persons to civil offices; hence the word eunuch is sometimes used for an officer, Ge 37:36 and elsewhere; the Jews restrain this law to marriage, but unnecessarily.
Hilchot lssure Biah, c. 16. sect. 8. Targum Jon. in loc. Misn. Yebamot, c. 8. sect. 2, 4, 5, 6. Maimon. Moreh Nevochim, par. 3. c.