Deuteronomy23
English Standard Version
1No whose testicles are or whose is shall the of the Lord.
2No born of a may the of the Lord. Even to the , none of his descendants may the of the Lord.
3 or may the of the Lord. Even to the , of them may the of the Lord ,
4 they did not you with and with on the , when you of , and because they you the of from of , to you.
5But the Lord your not to ; instead the Lord your the into a for you, because the Lord your you.
6You shall not their or their your .
7You shall an , for he is your . You shall an , because you were a in his .
8 to them in the may the of the Lord.
9When you are against your , then you shall yourself from every .
10 any among you of a , then he shall the . He shall the ,
11but when , he shall himself in , and as the , he may the .
12You shall have a the , and you shall to it.
13And you shall have a with your , and when you sit , you shall a hole with it and turn and up your .
14Because the Lord your in the of your , to you and to your you, therefore your must be , so that he may not anything among you and turn from .
15You shall not give up his a who has from his to you.
16He shall with you, in your , in the that he shall within of your , wherever it him. You shall not him.
17 of the of shall be a , and of the of shall be a .
18You shall not the of a or the of a into the of the Lord your in payment for any , for of these are an to the Lord your .
19You shall not charge interest on to your , on , on , on that is lent for .
20You may a , but you may not your , that the Lord your may you in all that you in the that you are to take of it.
21If you a to the Lord your , you shall not it, for the Lord your will it of you, and you will be guilty of .
22But you from , you will be guilty of .
23You shall be to what has your , for you have to the Lord your what you have with your .
24If you into your , you may your of , as many as you , but you shall not any in your .
25If you into your , you may the with your , but you shall not a to your .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Deuteronomy 23.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Who are shut out from the congregation. (1–8). Cleanliness enjoined. (15–25). Of fugitive servants, Usury, and other precepts. (9–14).
vv1-8
We ought to value the privileges of God's people, both for ourselves and for our children, above all other advantages. No personal blemishes, no crimes of our forefathers, no difference of nation, shuts us out under the Christian dispensation. But an unsound heart will deprive us of blessings; and a bad example, or an unsuitable marriage, may shut our children from them.
vv9-14
The camp of the Lord must have nothing offensive in it. If there must be this care taken to preserve the body clean, much more should we be careful to keep the mind pure.
vv15-25
It is honourable to shelter and protect the weak, provided they are not wicked. Proselytes and converts to the truth, should be treated with particular tenderness, that they may have no temptation to return to the world. We cannot honour God with our substance, unless it be honestly and honourably come by. It must not only be considered what we give, but how we got it. Where the borrower gets, or hopes to get, it is just that the lender should share the gain; but to him that borrows for necessary food, pity must be showed. That which is gone out of thy lips, as a solemn and deliberate vow, must not be recalled, but thou shalt keep and perform it punctually and fully. They were allowed to pluck and eat of the corn or grapes that grew by the road side; only they must not carry any away. This law intimated what great plenty of corn and wine they should have in Canaan. It provided for the support of poor travellers, and teaches us to be kind to such, teaches us to be ready to distribute, and not to think every thing lost that is given away. Yet it forbids us to abuse the kindness of friends, or to take advantage of what is allowed. Faithfulness to their engagements should mark the people of God; and they should never encroach upon others.
Key Words
לֹא: not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שׇׁפְכָה: a pipe (for pouring forth, e.g. wine), i.e. the penis
כָּרַת: to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces)
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
קָהָל: assemblage (usually concretely)
מַמְזֵר: a mongrel, i.e. born of aJewish father and aheathen mother
עֲשִׂירִי: tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part
דּוֹר: properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
עַמּוֹנִי: an Ammonite or (the adjective) Ammonitish
מוֹאָבִי: a Moabite or Moabitess, i.e. a descendant from Moab
Cross References
Deuteronomy 23Nehemiah reads this law and explicitly separates the mixed multitude (Ammonites and Moabites) from Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Details Balak sending for Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor to curse Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophesies a future day when the eunuch and stranger will not say, 'I am a dry tree.'
Supported by Matthew Poole
Defines the ceremonial law and purification ritual for uncleanness that chanceth a man by night.
Supported by John Calvin
Parallels the prohibition against lending to a poor brother upon usury or taking increase.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The foundational law regarding the binding nature of vows made to the Lord.
Supported by JFB
Exhorts: 'When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus' disciples pluck ears of corn to eat, exercising the very privilege permitted in this law.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jephthah, born of a harlot, is cast out of his father's house, illustrating the social stigma.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God appeals to Israel to remember Balaam's consultation and how God answered him.
Supported by JFB
Reminds Israel that the Edomites are their brethren, the children of Esau.
Supported by JFB
Paul returns the runaway slave Onesimus to Philemon, showing a contrast under Christian love.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Commandment not to vex or oppress a stranger, reflecting the gentle treatment of escaped servants.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Strictly forbids turning daughters into whores, keeping the land from falling to wickedness.
Supported by Matthew Poole