Bible Commentary

Deuteronomy 23:3

Deuteronomy 23:3

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord,.... Or marry an Israelitish woman, as Jarchi, and so the Targum of Jonathan,"the male Ammonites and Moabites are not fit to take a wife of the congregation of the Lord;''for the Jews restrain this to men, because it is, as Aben Ezra observes, an Ammonite, not an Ammonitess, a Moabite, not a Moabitess; they allow that females of those nations might be married to Israelites, that is, provided they were proselytesses, as Ruth was :even to their tenth generation, shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever; that is, not only to the tenth generation, but for ever; and this law was understood as in force in Nehemiah's time, which was more than ten generations from the making of it; though now, as these nations are no more a distinct people, they suppose it is no longer binding .

Misn. Yebamot, c. 8. sect. 3. Misn. Yadaim, c. 4. sect.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for Deuteronomy 23:3

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Deuteronomy 23 — OverviewDeuteronomy 23 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThe laws of this chapter provide, I. For the preserving of the purity and honour of the families of Israel, by excluding such as would be a disgrace to them, ver. 1-8. II. For the preserving of the purity and…Deuteronomy 23 — OverviewDeuteronomy 23 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeDeuteronomy 23:1, Who may or may not enter into the congregation; Deuteronomy 23:9, Uncleanness is to be avoided in the host; Deuteronomy 23:15, Of the fugitive servant; Deuteronomy 23:17, Of filthiness; Deuteronomy…Deuteronomy 23 — OverviewDeuteronomy 23 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleOrders 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…Deuteronomy 23:1-8Deuteronomy 23:1-8 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleInterpreters are not agreed what is here meant by entering into the congregation of the Lord, which is here forbidden to eunuchs and to bastards, Ammonites and Moabites, for ever, but to Edomites and Egyptians…Deuteronomy 23:1-6Deuteronomy 23:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryLoss of sacred privilege a grievous penalty. In such passages as this, very much more is intended than is expressed. We have to read between the lines, for only they who lived in those days of Jewish life could…Deuteronomy 23:1-8Deuteronomy 23:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryFive classes of persons are here excluded from the congregation of the Lord.