Nehemiah 13:25

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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!

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 13:25 vividly portrays Governor Nehemiah's forceful and uncompromising actions to enforce God's law against intermarriage during his second term in Jerusalem. Upon discovering the widespread spiritual compromise of Jewish men marrying women from surrounding pagan nations, Nehemiah directly confronted the offenders, administering severe verbal rebukes, physical chastisement, and public humiliation by plucking their hair. He then compelled them to swear a solemn oath before God, vowing to cease the practice of intermarriage, thereby demonstrating his unwavering zeal for the purity of the covenant community and the sanctity of God's commands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 13:25 is situated within the final chapter of the book of Nehemiah, which details the governor's return to Jerusalem after a period in Persia and his subsequent discovery of widespread covenant violations. Having previously led the people in rebuilding the wall and renewing their commitment to the Law in [Nehemiah 8-10](/nehemiah/8 "Nehemiah 8-10 - Renewal of the Covenant"), Nehemiah finds that the reforms have been neglected. The chapter opens with the expulsion of Tobiah from the temple courts ([Nehemiah 13:4-9](/nehemiah/13-4 "Nehemiah 13:4-9 - Tobiah Expelled")), addresses the neglect of tithes for the Levites ([Nehemiah 13:10-14](/nehemiah/13-10 "Nehemiah 13:10-14 - Neglect of Tithes")), and the desecration of the Sabbath ([Nehemiah 13:15-22](/nehemiah/13-15 "Nehemiah 13:15-22 - Sabbath Desecration")). The issue of intermarriage, specifically with women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, is introduced in [Nehemiah 13:23](/nehemiah/13-23 "Nehemiah 13:23 - Intermarriage with Foreigners"), leading directly to Nehemiah's drastic response in verse 25, which serves as a climactic demonstration of his commitment to purifying the community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This event occurs in the post-exilic period, likely around 430-420 BC, decades after the initial return from Babylonian captivity. The community in Jerusalem was still fragile, striving to re-establish its identity as God's chosen people. Intermarriage with surrounding pagan nations (Ammonites, Moabites, Ashdodites) was a recurring threat to Israel's spiritual purity, explicitly forbidden by the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")). The fear was that these unions would lead to idolatry and the erosion of their distinct covenant relationship with Yahweh. Nehemiah's actions, while shocking to modern sensibilities, were not uncommon in the ancient Near East for public shaming and enforcing community standards. "Plucking off hair" was a severe act of public disgrace, often associated with humiliation or punishment, signifying a person's utter contempt or loss of honor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes. First, it highlights **Nehemiah's Uncompromising Leadership** and unwavering zeal for God's law. His decisive, even violent, actions underscore the gravity of the spiritual compromise he confronted and his absolute commitment to covenant faithfulness, reflecting a leader who would not tolerate sin within the community. Second, the passage emphasizes the **Sanctity of Marriage and Covenant Purity**. The primary issue Nehemiah addresses is the spiritual danger posed by intermarriage, which directly violated God's commands designed to preserve Israel's spiritual distinctiveness and prevent apostasy, as seen in earlier warnings in [Exodus 34:15-16](/exodus/34-15 "Exodus 34:15-16 - Warning Against Covenants with Inhabitants of the Land"). Third, it demonstrates the **Consequences of Disobedience**. Nehemiah's severe actions—cursing, smiting, and plucking hair—were public acts of shaming and physical discipline, intended to convey the severe displeasure of God and the community, and to compel repentance and adherence to the divine covenant. This echoes the earlier struggles faced by Ezra concerning the same issue in [Ezra 9-10](/ezra/9 "Ezra 9-10 - Ezra's Prayer and Action Regarding Intermarriage").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Contended (Hebrew, _rîḇ_):** This verb signifies a strong disputation, a legal or judicial argument, or a vehement accusation. Nehemiah was not merely debating; he was engaging in a forceful confrontation, presenting a case against them based on the divine law, acting as a prosecutor or judge enforcing covenant stipulations.
* **Cursed (Hebrew, _qālal_):** In this context, "cursed" does not imply a magical incantation but rather a powerful verbal denunciation or pronouncement of judgment. It conveys Nehemiah's severe displeasure and the divine condemnation associated with their actions, publicly shaming them and invoking God's disfavor upon their disobedience.
* **Plucked off their hair (Hebrew, _māraṭ_):** This was a highly symbolic and deeply humiliating act in ancient Near Eastern cultures. It signified public disgrace, stripping away a person's honor and dignity. For Nehemiah to physically pull out their hair underscored the extreme contempt and shame he felt for their blatant disregard of God's covenant, serving as a visceral demonstration of the severity of their sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I contended with them,"**: Nehemiah initiated a direct and forceful confrontation with those who had engaged in forbidden intermarriages. This was not a gentle persuasion but a vigorous dispute, indicating his resolve to address the sin head-on.
* **"and cursed them,"**: Following his contention, Nehemiah pronounced a strong verbal rebuke or condemnation upon them. This "cursing" was an expression of divine displeasure and a public shaming for their covenant infidelity, signifying the gravity of their offense in God's eyes.
* **"and smote certain of them,"**: Nehemiah resorted to physical chastisement, striking some of the offenders. This was a form of corporal punishment, a severe disciplinary action intended to convey the seriousness of their transgression and to compel immediate compliance and repentance.
* **"and plucked off their hair,"**: This was a public act of extreme humiliation and disgrace. By physically pulling out their hair, Nehemiah stripped them of their dignity and honor in front of the community, emphasizing the profound shame associated with their disobedience and the severity of the spiritual compromise.
* **"and made them swear by God, [saying],"**: After the physical and verbal confrontations, Nehemiah compelled them to take a solemn oath, invoking God as a witness and guarantor of their promise. This act elevated the commitment to a sacred level, binding them under divine judgment if they should break their word.
* **"Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves."**: This final clause states the explicit content of the oath. It directly reiterates the Mosaic prohibition against intermarriage, forbidding both the giving of Israelite daughters to foreign sons and the taking of foreign daughters for Israelite sons, or for themselves (implying polygamy or concubinage). This was the core issue Nehemiah sought to rectify and prevent from recurring.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 13:25 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the intensity of the situation and Nehemiah's actions. The accumulation of strong verbs—"contended," "cursed," "smote," "plucked"—creates a sense of escalating intensity and urgency, emphasizing Nehemiah's forceful and comprehensive response. This sequence of actions can be seen as a form of **hyperbole**, where the extreme nature of Nehemiah's physical discipline underscores the gravity of the spiritual offense in the eyes of God and the community. The act of "plucking off their hair" is rich in **symbolism**, representing public disgrace, humiliation, and the stripping away of honor, a vivid visual metaphor for the spiritual defilement caused by intermarriage. Furthermore, the final clause, "Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves," exhibits clear **parallelism**, reiterating the prohibition in a balanced and emphatic manner, reinforcing the absolute nature of the command. The entire passage also serves as a testament to Nehemiah's **zeal**, portraying him as a fierce guardian of the covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 13:25 underscores the profound theological truth that God's people are called to be distinct and holy, set apart for His purposes. The prohibition against intermarriage was not merely a social or ethnic boundary but a spiritual one, designed to safeguard Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh and prevent the insidious infiltration of idolatry and pagan practices. Nehemiah's extreme actions reflect the seriousness with which God views spiritual compromise and the purity of His worship. The integrity of the family unit, and by extension the nation, was seen as foundational to their spiritual health. This passage serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God's clear commands, especially those concerning spiritual separation and worship, carries severe consequences and demands decisive action to restore righteousness within the community.

* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")
* [Ezra 9:1-2](/ezra/9-1 "Ezra 9:1-2 - Ezra's Grief Over Intermarriage")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Nehemiah's physical methods of discipline are not to be directly emulated by believers today, the underlying principles of zeal for God's truth, uncompromising stand against sin, and the protection of spiritual purity remain profoundly relevant. This passage challenges us to examine the areas in our own lives and communities where compromise with worldly values might be subtly eroding our devotion to God. It calls for a fervent commitment to God's Word, ensuring that our relationships, decisions, and lifestyle choices align with biblical principles, particularly concerning marriage and family. We are reminded that spiritual health often depends on maintaining clear boundaries against influences that could draw us away from Christ. The solemn oath Nehemiah extracted also emphasizes the gravity of our commitments before God, urging us to take our vows—whether in marriage, baptism, or church membership—with utmost seriousness and integrity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life or community might spiritual compromise be subtly taking root, similar to the intermarriage issue Nehemiah faced?**
* **How can I cultivate a zeal for God's truth and purity without resorting to unbiblical methods of confrontation?**
* **In what ways does this passage inform my understanding of the importance of spiritual alignment in relationships, especially marriage?**
* **What commitments have I made before God, and how seriously am I upholding them in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Was Nehemiah's violence justified?**

Answer: Nehemiah's actions, including physical violence and public shaming, must be understood within their specific historical and cultural context. In ancient Near Eastern societies, such methods were sometimes employed by authorities to enforce laws and maintain social order, especially when dealing with severe breaches of covenant. The sin of intermarriage was not merely a social transgression but a direct violation of God's law, threatening the spiritual identity and very existence of the covenant community by leading to idolatry and apostasy. Nehemiah, acting as governor and a zealous guardian of God's covenant, saw these drastic measures as necessary to shock the people into repentance and prevent the complete spiritual corruption of Israel, a lesson learned from the nation's past failures (e.g., [Numbers 25:1-9](/numbers/25-1 "Numbers 25:1-9 - Israel's Sin with Moab")). While the New Testament calls believers to a different ethic of love and patient instruction (e.g., [2 Timothy 2:24-25](/2_timothy/2-24 "2 Timothy 2:24-25 - The Lord's Servant Must Not Be Quarrelsome")), Nehemiah's actions highlight the extreme seriousness of sin and God's demand for holiness within His people.

**Why was intermarriage such a significant issue for Nehemiah and the post-exilic community?**

Answer: Intermarriage was a critical issue because it posed an existential threat to the spiritual purity and distinct identity of the Israelite community, which had just returned from exile and was striving to re-establish its covenant relationship with God. The Mosaic Law explicitly forbade marriage with people from pagan nations (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")) because these unions inevitably led to the adoption of foreign gods and customs, drawing God's people into idolatry. History had shown this to be a consistent pattern of spiritual decline (e.g., [Judges 3:5-7](/judges/3-5 "Judges 3:5-7 - Israel's Disobedience and Intermarriage")). For Nehemiah, allowing intermarriage was tantamount to undoing the very purpose of their return from exile—to be a holy people devoted solely to Yahweh. It was not about racial purity but about spiritual fidelity and the preservation of the covenant lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's zealous and uncompromising actions in Nehemiah 13:25, though severe, foreshadow the ultimate zeal of Christ for the purity of His people and the integrity of God's covenant. Just as Nehemiah contended against those who defiled the physical community of Israel, Jesus, with divine authority, cleansed the temple, driving out those who desecrated His Father's house, declaring, "My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers" ([Matthew 21:13](/matthew/21-13 "Matthew 21:13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). While Nehemiah used physical force and public shaming, Christ's cleansing is ultimately spiritual, purifying His bride, the Church, not by physical violence but by His atoning sacrifice and the sanctifying power of His Word. He is the true guardian of the new covenant, establishing a spiritual union where believers are called to be "equally yoked" with Him and with one another, separated from the defilements of the world ([2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")). Through His shed blood, Jesus provides the ultimate purification, making us holy and blameless before God ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). He fulfills Nehemiah's zeal by perfectly upholding God's holiness and securing a people truly set apart for God's glory, not by external coercion, but by internal transformation through the Spirit.

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

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.