Deuteronomy 23:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because {H1697} they met {H6923} you not with bread {H3899} and with water {H4325} in the way {H1870}, when ye came forth {H3318} out of Egypt {H4714}; and because they hired {H7936} against thee Balaam {H1109} the son {H1121} of Beor {H1160} of Pethor {H6604} of Mesopotamia {H763}, to curse {H7043} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

because they did not supply you with food and water when you were on the road after leaving Egypt, and because they hired Bil'am the son of B'or from P'tor in Aram-Naharayim to put a curse on you

Berean Standard Bible

For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you.

American Standard Version

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 from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 23:4 meticulously details the specific historical offenses of the Ammonites and Moabites that necessitated their perpetual exclusion from the assembly of the Lord, as previously decreed. This divine judgment stems from two primary acts of hostility: their egregious failure to provide essential provisions, "bread and water," to the Israelites during their arduous journey through the wilderness after the Exodus, and their malicious attempt to subvert God's redemptive purposes by hiring Balaam, a Mesopotamian diviner, to curse the nascent nation. The verse powerfully underscores God's unwavering justice, His meticulous remembrance of both acts of benevolence and malevolence, and His steadfast commitment to His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the crucial explanatory rationale for the prohibition articulated in [Deuteronomy 23:3](/deuteronomy/23-3 "Deuteronomy 23:3 - Exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites"), which forbids Ammonites and Moabites from entering "the assembly of the Lord." The broader literary context of [Deuteronomy 23](/deuteronomy/23 "Deuteronomy 23 - Regulations for the Assembly") delineates various regulations concerning who may or may not participate in Israel's religious and covenantal community. These laws are foundational to maintaining the purity, distinctiveness, and holiness of God's chosen people. The specific and perpetual exclusion of the Ammonites and Moabites is not arbitrary but directly rooted in their historical conduct towards Israel during a period of extreme vulnerability. This stands in stark contrast to the more nuanced and ultimately less restrictive conditions for Edomites and Egyptians, whose descendants are permitted entry after the third generation, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 23:7-8](/deuteronomy/23-7-8 "Deuteronomy 23:7-8 - Inclusion of Edomites and Egyptians"). This section of Deuteronomy, therefore, profoundly emphasizes the critical importance of Israel's relationships with surrounding nations, particularly as these interactions reflect upon their identity as God's redeemed and consecrated people following their miraculous [Exodus](/exodus/1 "Exodus 1 - The Israelite Oppression in Egypt") experience.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events referenced in [Deuteronomy 23:4](/deuteronomy/23-4 "Deuteronomy 23:4 - Ammonite and Moabite Transgressions") transpired during Israel's forty-year wilderness wanderings, specifically as they neared the culmination of their journey and approached the borders of the Promised Land. The journey itself was fraught with peril and immense hardship, making acts of hospitality not merely a courtesy but often a matter of survival. In the ancient Near East, providing "bread and water" to weary travelers, especially a large multitude, was a deeply ingrained cultural expectation and a fundamental expression of human decency. The Ammonites' and Moabites' refusal to offer these basic provisions was thus not a passive oversight but an active, hostile denial of essential sustenance to a vulnerable people. The second offense, the hiring of Balaam, is extensively narrated in [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22-24 "Numbers 22-24 - Balaam and Balak"). Balak, the king of Moab, consumed by fear of the vast Israelite encampment, deliberately enlisted Balaam, a renowned diviner from Pethor in Mesopotamia, to pronounce a curse upon Israel. This act represented a direct spiritual and political assault, revealing the deep-seated animosity of these nations and their willingness to employ supernatural, pagan means to thwart God's divine purposes for His covenant people.

* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 23:4 significantly contributes to several overarching themes pervasive throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, demonstrating that God meticulously remembers and responds to the actions of both individuals and nations, and that historical conduct carries lasting consequences within the divine economy. The egregious lack of hospitality highlights the **Profound Importance of Compassion and Hospitality**, a recurring biblical value that mirrors God's own character and His providential care for the vulnerable and marginalized. Furthermore, the hiring of Balaam introduces the critical theme of **Spiritual Warfare and Opposition to God's People**. This episode vividly illustrates that opposition to God's covenant purposes can manifest through various insidious means, including divination, sorcery, and pagan rituals. Yet, ultimately, God's unwavering sovereignty prevails, turning intended curses into divine blessings, as powerfully evidenced in [Numbers 23:8](/numbers/23-8 "Numbers 23:8 - Balaam's Inability to Curse Israel") and [Numbers 24:10](/numbers/24-10 "Numbers 24:10 - Balak's Anger at Balaam's Blessings"). This verse, therefore, stands as a foundational historical precedent for God's vigilant protection of His people against external malevolence and His expectation of ethical, compassionate conduct from all nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Balaam (Hebrew, _Bilʻâm'_):** This refers to the non-Israelite prophet or diviner from Pethor in Mesopotamia. His name, possibly meaning "not (of the) people" or "foreigner," aptly describes his identity outside the covenant community. The fact that the Ammonites and Moabites specifically hired Balaam signifies a deliberate and malicious attempt to use spiritual means—pagan divination and curses—to bring ruin upon Israel. This act reveals a deep-seated antagonism that transcended mere lack of hospitality, escalating to active malevolence and an attempt to subvert God's divine plan for His people.
* **Bread (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** This term denotes basic food, typically grain or baked loaves, which constituted a staple of the ancient Near Eastern diet. In the phrase "bread and water," it signifies the most fundamental provisions necessary for survival and sustenance, particularly during an arduous journey through a desolate wilderness. The deliberate withholding of this basic necessity by the Ammonites and Moabites was a profound act of inhospitality and hostility, demonstrating a calculated refusal to aid or even acknowledge the fundamental human needs of the passing Israelite multitude.
* **Water (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** This refers to the essential liquid for life, especially critical in arid regions like the wilderness traversed by the Israelites. Coupled with "bread," "water" underscores the complete denial of even minimal, life-sustaining aid. Refusing water to a vast multitude traversing a desert environment was not merely an act of discourtesy; it was tantamount to an act of war, designed to weaken, sicken, or even destroy them through thirst and starvation, revealing a profound lack of compassion and an active desire for Israel's demise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt":** This initial clause articulates the first significant transgression of the Ammonites and Moabites. As the Israelites, a vast and vulnerable multitude, journeyed through the wilderness following their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage, these nations failed to offer even the most basic provisions of sustenance. This was a severe breach of the deeply ingrained ancient Near Eastern customs of hospitality, which mandated aid to travelers. It represented a hostile act against a people under divine protection, revealing a profound lack of compassion and a callous disregard for their desperate plight and basic human needs.
* **"and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee":** This second clause details an even more egregious and malicious offense. Not content with mere neglect and a lack of hospitality, the Ammonites and Moabites actively sought to undermine Israel's destiny and thwart God's covenant purposes by employing Balaam, a pagan diviner from a distant land, to pronounce curses upon them. This act constituted a direct spiritual assault, an attempt to use supernatural, idolatrous power to bring divine disfavor upon Israel. The specific mention of Balaam's origin ("Pethor of Mesopotamia") further emphasizes his foreign, non-Israelite status and the pagan, anti-God nature of this malevolent attempt.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 23:4 effectively employs several literary devices to amplify its message and underscore the gravity of the Ammonite and Moabite transgressions. The verse utilizes **Parallelism** by presenting two distinct yet equally damning reasons for the exclusion: the physical neglect (withholding bread and water) and the spiritual malevolence (hiring Balaam to curse). This dual indictment creates a cumulative effect, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of their hostility. An element of **Antithesis** is implicitly present, as the expected and culturally mandated act of hospitality (providing essential provisions) is starkly contrasted with their actual hostile and malicious actions. The mention of "Balaam" functions as a powerful **Historical Allusion**, drawing upon the detailed and well-known narrative found in [Numbers 22-24](/numbers/22-24 "Numbers 22-24 - Balaam and Balak"). This allusion serves as a concise yet potent shorthand, immediately recalling a profound act of spiritual warfare and the divine intervention that turned a curse into a blessing. Finally, the verse exemplifies **Divine Retribution**, where the specific historical actions of these nations directly result in a lasting covenant consequence, vividly illustrating God's meticulous remembrance and just response to both passive neglect and active malevolence against His chosen people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 23:4 profoundly illustrates God's active and meticulous involvement in the history of nations and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, Israel. The divine decree of exclusion is not arbitrary but a direct and just consequence of the Ammonites' and Moabites' historical actions, which were characterized by a profound lack of human kindness and a direct, malicious attempt to undermine God's redemptive plan for Israel. This highlights God's perfect justice, demonstrating that He remembers both the good and evil deeds of humanity and nations, and that such actions carry significant weight in His divine economy. The verse also underscores the deep theological significance of hospitality, presenting its absence as a serious moral and spiritual failing, and conversely, its presence as a reflection of righteousness and alignment with God's character. Furthermore, the hiring of Balaam vividly reveals the pervasive reality of spiritual opposition against God's people, yet simultaneously affirms God's absolute sovereignty and power in turning intended curses into blessings. This historical account, therefore, serves as a timeless reminder that God vigilantly defends His own and that His ultimate purposes cannot be thwarted by human machinations or demonic malevolence.

* [Numbers 23:11-12](/numbers/23-11-12 "Numbers 23:11-12 - Balaam's Inability to Curse Israel")
* [Hebrews 13:2](/hebrews/13-2 "Hebrews 13:2 - Hospitality to Strangers")
* [Proverbs 25:21-22](/proverbs/25-21-22 "Proverbs 21:21-22 - Feeding Your Enemy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 23:4, though rooted in the ancient history of Israel, offers profound and enduring principles for contemporary believers. It serves as a stark reminder that our actions, whether individual or corporate, are observed by God and carry eternal consequences, never forgotten in His divine memory. The egregious lack of hospitality demonstrated by the Ammonites and Moabites stands as a powerful warning against indifference, self-interest, and a callous disregard for the needs of others, particularly those who are vulnerable, struggling, or perceived as outsiders. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody a radical and counter-cultural hospitality that authentically reflects God's own boundless grace, compassion, and generosity. This means actively seeking to meet the needs of others, whether they are strangers, neighbors, or even those who may seem to be against us, remembering that true love extends even to enemies. Moreover, the episode with Balaam highlights the persistent reality of spiritual opposition and the myriad forms it can assume. We must cultivate spiritual discernment, recognizing that not all opposition is purely physical or political; some attempts seek to undermine our faith, our calling, and God's purposes for His church through spiritual means. Yet, we are also powerfully reminded of God's unwavering sovereign power to protect His people and to miraculously turn intended harm into ultimate good. This truth should instill in us a deep and abiding trust in His faithfulness, empowering us to stand firm in our faith, persevere through adversity, and continue to walk in love, generosity, and courageous obedience, knowing that His purposes will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways might I be withholding "bread and water" (basic kindness, support, or compassion) from those around me, whether through intentional neglect or unconscious oversight?**
* **How does the historical account of Balaam encourage me to deepen my trust in God's sovereignty and protective power, especially when faced with spiritual opposition or attempts to undermine what God has blessed in my life or community?**
* **What concrete steps can I take today to cultivate a more profound spirit of radical hospitality and selfless generosity in my daily interactions, thereby more fully reflecting God's character to a watching world?**
* **How does God's meticulous remembrance of the Ammonites' and Moabites' actions challenge or comfort me regarding His perfect justice, unwavering faithfulness, and the ultimate accountability for all human deeds?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Ammonites and Moabites singled out for such a severe and lasting exclusion from the assembly of the Lord?**

Answer: The Ammonites and Moabites were singled out for two specific, egregious offenses that occurred during Israel's vulnerable journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, offenses that demonstrated profound hostility against God's chosen people. First, they exhibited a profound lack of basic human kindness and hospitality by refusing to provide "bread and water" to the weary Israelite multitude. This was not merely an oversight but a severe breach of ancient Near Eastern custom and an active act of hostility against a people in dire need. Second, and even more maliciously, they actively sought to undermine God's divine plan for Israel by hiring Balaam, a pagan diviner from Mesopotamia, to pronounce curses upon the nation. This constituted a direct spiritual assault against God's covenant people, an attempt to use supernatural means to thwart His purposes. While other nations might have shown animosity, these particular acts of neglect and active malevolence, especially the attempt to curse a people under divine protection, warranted a unique and perpetual exclusion from the covenant community. This judgment underscores God's justice, His meticulous remembrance of historical actions, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 23:3-6](/deuteronomy/23-3-6 "Deuteronomy 23:3-6 - Exclusion and Inclusion Rules for the Assembly").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 23:4, while detailing a historical judgment and exclusion, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Ammonites' and Moabites' refusal to offer "bread and water" to the vulnerable Israelites powerfully foreshadows humanity's inherent spiritual poverty and its utter inability to provide for its deepest spiritual needs. This profound need is ultimately and perfectly met in Christ, who declares Himself the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), offering eternal sustenance, and the [Living Water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus, the Living Water"), quenching the soul's deepest thirst. Their malicious attempt to curse Israel through Balaam points to the pervasive and relentless spiritual opposition against God's people throughout salvation history, culminating in the ultimate curse of sin and death that humanity faced. However, just as God sovereignly turned Balaam's intended curses into divine blessings for Israel ([Numbers 23:11-12](/numbers/23-11-12 "Numbers 23:11-12 - Balaam's Blessing")), Christ, by willingly becoming a curse for us on the cross ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), transformed the ultimate curse of sin into the ultimate blessing of redemption, justification, and eternal life. Through His sacrificial blood, the exclusion from God's holy presence, which the Ammonites and Moabites experienced, is gloriously overcome for all who believe. Believers, once alienated, are now welcomed into God's assembly, the church, through Christ's reconciling sacrifice ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")). He is the true and perfect Host who offers Himself as the ultimate provision, extending boundless grace and inviting all, even former enemies, into His eternal kingdom, thereby fulfilling the call to hospitality in its most profound and redemptive sense ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Sinners")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 13:2

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.

2 Peter 2:15

Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Deuteronomy 2:28

Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink: only I will pass through on my feet;

Deuteronomy 2:29

(As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us.

1 Kings 18:4

For it was [so], when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Numbers 22:5

He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which [is] by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

Numbers 22:7

And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.