Deuteronomy 23:3

An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:

An Ammonite {H5984} or Moabite {H4125} shall not enter {H935} into the congregation {H6951} of the LORD {H3068}; even to their tenth {H6224} generation {H1755} shall they not enter {H935} into the congregation {H6951} of the LORD {H3068} for {H5704} ever {H5769}:

"No 'Amoni or Mo'avi may enter the assembly of ADONAI, nor may any of his descendants down to the tenth generation ever enter the assembly of ADONAI,

No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation.

An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of Jehovah; even to the tenth generation shall none belonging to them enter into the assembly of Jehovah for ever:

Commentary

Historical and Cultural Context

Deuteronomy 23:3 lays down a specific law regarding the exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites from "the congregation of the LORD." To understand this, it's crucial to recall their historical relationship with Israel. The Ammonites and Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew (Genesis 19:37-38), making them distant relatives of the Israelites. However, despite this familial tie, they displayed consistent hostility towards Israel during their Exodus from Egypt. Deuteronomy 23:4 explicitly states the reason: "Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee." This lack of hospitality and active opposition, including attempts to spiritually undermine Israel through Balaam, formed the basis for this strict and lasting prohibition.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Purity of the Congregation: The phrase "congregation of the LORD" (Hebrew: qahal Yahweh) refers to the assembly of Israel, particularly in its religious and judicial capacities. It represented the sacred community of God's covenant people. This law underscored the importance of maintaining the spiritual and social purity of Israel, protecting it from those who had demonstrated persistent enmity towards God and His people.
  • Consequences of Hostility: The exclusion served as a divine judgment against the Ammonites and Moabites for their historical actions. It demonstrates that actions against God's chosen people had serious and long-term consequences within the divine covenant.
  • Divine Protection: God's law here highlights His protective nature over Israel, ensuring that those who had actively sought to harm or curse His people would not easily integrate into the core of their sacred community.

Linguistic Insights

The term "congregation of the LORD" (Hebrew: qahal Yahweh) signifies a divinely established and holy assembly, distinct from a general populace. This was the body through which God's presence and covenant were most directly experienced. The phrase "for ever" (Hebrew: ad olam) typically denotes an indefinite period, often a very long time, rather than absolute eternity in all contexts. The specification "even to their tenth generation" gives a concrete, extended duration to this prohibition, emphasizing its severity and permanence within the Old Covenant framework.

Related Scriptures

While this law appears absolute, its application in later Israelite history, particularly in the Book of Ruth, reveals God's sovereign grace. Ruth, a Moabitess, not only entered the congregation but became an ancestor of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:13-22, Matthew 1:5). Her acceptance was based on her genuine faith and allegiance to the God of Israel, demonstrated by her famous declaration, "thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." This illustrates that while the law provided a general rule for the protection of Israel's purity, God's mercy could extend to individuals who truly turned to Him.

For believers today, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual discernment and the sacred nature of God's people, the Church. While no longer an ethnic exclusion, it emphasizes the need for genuine repentance and faith to be part of the true "congregation" of God. The New Testament teaches that through Christ, Gentiles are no longer outsiders but are "fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). The ultimate call of God is for all nations to come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19).

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 13:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;

  • Nehemiah 13:2 (8 votes)

    Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

  • Nehemiah 4:3 (2 votes)

    Now Tobiah the Ammonite [was] by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.

  • Nehemiah 4:7 (2 votes)

    ¶ But it came to pass, [that] when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, [and] that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,

  • Ruth 4:6 (2 votes)

    And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem [it] for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem [it].

  • Nehemiah 13:23 (2 votes)

    ¶ In those days also saw I Jews [that] had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, [and] of Moab:

  • Ruth 4:10 (1 votes)

    Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye [are] witnesses this day.