Nehemiah 13:27

Context of Nehemiah 13:27

Nehemiah 13:27 falls within the final chapter of the book of Nehemiah, detailing the reforms enacted by Nehemiah during his second term as governor of Judah. After returning to Persia, Nehemiah revisited Jerusalem and found that many of the spiritual and social reforms he had previously instituted had been neglected. The people had fallen back into old patterns of disobedience, including profaning the Sabbath, neglecting temple support, and most significantly, intermarrying with foreign women. This verse captures Nehemiah's impassioned and stern rebuke to those who had engaged in such practices, particularly regarding the issue of "strange wives," which he viewed as a direct transgression against God's covenant and law. His prior reforms are detailed earlier in the chapter, such as re-establishing Sabbath observance and restoring support for the Levites.

Key Themes and Messages

• Covenant Fidelity and Obedience: The verse powerfully underscores the absolute necessity of loyalty to God's covenant. Nehemiah frames marrying foreign wives not merely as a social misstep but as a "great evil" and a direct "transgression against our God." This highlights the spiritual dimension of the command to remain separate from pagan influences, which was crucial for Israel's identity as God's chosen people.
• Spiritual Purity and Separation: The prohibition against intermarriage with "strange wives" (foreign women) was fundamentally about preserving the spiritual purity of the Israelite community and preventing the infiltration of idolatry. God's law explicitly warned against such unions, fearing that they would lead the Israelites to worship other gods (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Nehemiah's question reflects his deep concern for the spiritual health of the returned exiles.
• Leadership and Accountability: Nehemiah's confrontational tone demonstrates his unwavering commitment to God's law and his role as a righteous leader. He holds the people accountable, reminding them of the severe consequences of disobedience, exemplified by past failures like that of King Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-8), whose foreign wives led him into idolatry.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "strange wives" translates from the Hebrew *nashim nokhriyoth* (נָשִׁים נָכְרִיּוֹת), which literally means "foreign women" or "alien women." The term *nokhriyoth* carries a strong connotation of being outside the covenant community, implying not just ethnic difference but also religious and cultural alienation from the worship of Yahweh. The word "transgress" (למעול - *li'm'ol*) signifies an act of unfaithfulness or trespass, often specifically against God or sacred things, emphasizing the severe spiritual offense involved in breaking this command.

Practical Application

For believers today, Nehemiah's strong stance on intermarriage serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual compatibility in relationships. While not a prohibition against marrying outside one's ethnicity, it emphasizes the need for believers to seek partners who share their faith and commitment to God. The principle is to avoid spiritual compromise that could lead one away from God or dilute one's devotion. This verse encourages us to consider the long-term spiritual impact of our choices and to prioritize obedience to God's will in all aspects of life, recognizing that straying from His commands can have profound and detrimental consequences for our faith and community, echoing the warnings found in 2 Corinthians 6:14 about being unequally yoked.