Nehemiah 13:25

And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

And I contended {H7378} with them, and cursed {H7043} them, and smote {H5221} certain {H582} of them, and plucked off their hair {H4803}, and made them swear {H7650} by God {H430}, saying, Ye shall not give {H5414} your daughters {H1323} unto their sons {H1121}, nor take {H5375} their daughters {H1323} unto your sons {H1121}, or for yourselves.

I disputed with them and cursed them, and I beat some of them up and pulled out their hair. Then I made them swear by God, "You will not give your daughters as wives for their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves.

I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!

And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.

Context

Nehemiah 13:25 is set during Nehemiah’s second term as governor of Jerusalem, after he had returned to Persia and then came back to find the reforms he had instituted earlier had been neglected. Upon his return, Nehemiah discovered various covenant violations, including the desecration of the Sabbath, neglect of the temple tithes, and critically, widespread intermarriage between Jewish men and women from surrounding pagan nations. This practice was a direct violation of God's law, designed to preserve the spiritual purity of Israel and prevent them from falling into idolatry.

Key Themes

  • Nehemiah's Uncompromising Leadership: This verse showcases Nehemiah's fierce zeal and decisive, even violent, actions to enforce God's law. His methods, while shocking to modern sensibilities, underscore the gravity of the spiritual compromise he was addressing and his unwavering commitment to covenant faithfulness. He was not afraid to confront sin directly.
  • The Sanctity of Marriage and Covenant Purity: The primary issue Nehemiah confronts is the spiritual danger of intermarriage. The Law explicitly forbade unions with non-Israelites (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:3-4) because they inevitably led to the adoption of foreign gods and customs, corrupting the people's devotion to the Lord. Nehemiah understood that the spiritual health of the community depended on upholding God's standards for marriage.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Nehemiah's strong actions illustrate the serious consequences of breaking God's commands. The "cursing," "smiting," and "plucking off hair" were public acts of shaming and physical discipline, meant to convey the severe displeasure of God and the community, and to compel repentance.

Linguistic Insights

Nehemiah's actions described here are forceful and intentional. The Hebrew word for "contended" (rib) often implies a legal dispute or strong argument, indicating a confrontation based on divine law. "Cursed them" (qalal) in this context likely means a strong verbal rebuke or pronouncement of judgment, rather than a magical curse. "Smote" (nakah) means to strike or beat, suggesting physical chastisement. "Plucked off their hair" (marat) was a severe act of public humiliation and disgrace in ancient Near Eastern cultures, signifying utter contempt and shame.

Practical Application

While Nehemiah's physical methods are not to be emulated today, the underlying principles remain highly relevant:

  • Zeal for God's Truth: Believers are called to have a fervent commitment to God's Word and to stand against spiritual compromise within their communities and personal lives.
  • Protecting Spiritual Boundaries: The principle of guarding against influences that could draw one away from God's truth is crucial. This applies to relationships, entertainment, and ideologies that contradict biblical principles.
  • Seriousness of Vows and Covenants: The act of making them "swear by God" emphasizes the solemnity of promises made before the Lord. Believers should take their commitments, especially those related to their faith and family, very seriously.
  • Upholding Godly Standards in Marriage: For Christians, this verse underscores the importance of being "equally yoked" in marriage, marrying fellow believers to foster a home environment centered on Christ and to raise godly offspring.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezra 10:5

    Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.

  • Deuteronomy 7:3

    Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.

  • Nehemiah 10:29

    They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

  • Nehemiah 10:30

    And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:

  • Nehemiah 13:17

    Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing [is] this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?

  • Nehemiah 13:11

    Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

  • Deuteronomy 6:13

    Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

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