King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"A mamzer may not enter the assembly of ADONAI, nor may his descendants down to the tenth generation enter the assembly of ADONAI.
Berean Standard Bible:
No one of illegitimate birth may enter the assembly of the LORD, nor may any of his descendants, even to the tenth generation.
American Standard Version:
A bastard shall not enter into the assembly of Jehovah; even to the tenth generation shall none of his enter into the assembly of Jehovah.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
A bastard{H4464} shall not enter{H935} into the congregation{H6951} of the LORD{H3068}; even to his tenth{H6224} generation{H1755} shall he not enter{H935} into the congregation{H6951} of the LORD{H3068}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Zechariah 9:6
- And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
Isaiah 57:3
- ¶ But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.
Hebrews 12:8
- But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
John 8:41
- Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, [even] God.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 23:2
Deuteronomy 23:2 is part of a larger collection of laws found in the book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Pentateuch in the Hebrew Bible. The verse reflects the ancient Israelite legal and social codes concerning communal membership and religious purity. In its historical context, the term "bastard" (often interpreted as a child born out of wedlock or to a non-Israelite) is likely referring to someone whose lineage cannot be clearly traced or verified according to the social norms of the time.
The exclusion of such individuals from the "congregation of the LORD" (Hebrew: קהל יהוה, "qahal YHWH") for ten generations suggests a deep concern for maintaining the integrity and distinctiveness of the Israelite community. This exclusion was not merely about religious worship but also about the social and legal privileges that came with being part of the assembly of Israel. The number ten may symbolize a complete or indefinite period, indicating a long-lasting prohibition.
The themes present in this verse include the importance of lineage, the boundaries of communal identity, and the connection between religious and social life in ancient Israel. It reflects a broader biblical concern for holiness and the belief that certain moral and ritual standards were required to participate fully in the life of the community. However, it is important to note that this law, like many others in the Pentateuch, must be understood within its historical and cultural context. The verse does not necessarily reflect the ethical norms or practices of contemporary Judaism or Christianity, both of which have developed various interpretations and applications of such ancient laws.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4464
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַמְזֵר
Transliteration: mamzêr
Pronunciation: mam-zare'
Description: from an unused root meaning to alienate; a mongrel, i.e. born of aJewish father and aheathen mother; bastard. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H6951
There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָהָל
Transliteration: qâhâl
Pronunciation: kaw-hawl'
Description: from קָהַל; assemblage (usually concretely); assembly, company, congregation, multitude. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H6224
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲשִׂירִי
Transliteration: ʻăsîyrîy
Pronunciation: as-ee-ree'
Description: from עֶשֶׂר; tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part; tenth (part). - Strong's Number: H1755
There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דּוֹר
Transliteration: dôwr
Pronunciation: dore
Description: or (shortened) דֹּר; from דּוּר; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling; age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity.