A bastard - Probably, a child born of incest or adultery.Even to his tenth generation - i. e. (see the next verse and Nehemiah 13:1), forever. Ten is the number of perfection and completeness. read more
This law forbids only the naturalization of those against whom it is directed. It does not forbid their dwelling in the land; and seems to refer rather to the nations than to individuals. It was not understood at any rate to interdict marriage with a Moabitess; compare Ruth 1:4; Ruth 4:13. Ruth however, and her sister were doubtless proselytes.Deuteronomy 23:4Compare the marginal reference. The Moabites and the Ammonites are to be regarded as clans of the same stock rather than as two... read more
Deuteronomy 23:1-2. He that is wounded It is generally agreed that Moses is here speaking of eunuchs. Shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord The meaning is, not that they should be debarred from the public worship of the true God, as the phrase sometimes signifies, for that privilege was granted to all nations indiscriminately, provided they renounced idolatry, Exodus 12:48; Leviticus 22:18; Numbers 9:14. But the sense seems to be, that such a one should not be deemed an... read more
Deuteronomy 23:3. An Ammonite or a Moabite The Jews will have it, that the women of these two nations were not concerned in this law. And that though an Israelitish woman might not marry an Ammonite or Moabite, yet a man of Israel might marry one of their women, after she professed the Jewish religion. For ever This seems to denote the perpetuity of this law, that it should be inviolably observed in all succeeding ages. read more
Deuteronomy 23:4. They met you not with bread and water That is, meat and drink; as the manner of those times and countries was, with respect to strangers and travellers, which was the more necessary because there were no public-houses of entertainment. Their fault, then, was unmercifulness to strangers and afflicted persons, which was aggravated both by their relation to the Israelites, as being the children of Lot, and by the special kindness of God and of the Israelites to them, in not... read more
A holy nation (23:1-25)Various laws prohibited foreigners, eunuchs and people born through immorality from joining fully in Israel’s public worship. This discouraged Israelites from copying heathen practices or marrying heathen people. At the same time it impressed upon them the holiness God required (23:1-8). Holiness also demanded high standards of cleanliness in the camp, particularly in matters concerning discharges from sexual organs and treatment of human excrement (9-14).Other features... read more
congregation = assembly. read more
Moabite. Hebrew, masculine. Therefore not excluding Ruth the Moabitess. Matthew 1:5 . Compare Ruth 1:14-16 . read more
they hired. Compare Numbers 22:5 .Jude 1:11 . Mesopotamia. Hebrew = Aram-Naharaim, i.e. "Syria of the two rivers". read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 23:1
Compare Leviticus 21:17-24. Such persons, exhibiting a mutilation of that human nature which was made in God’s image, were rejected from the covenant entirely. However, they could be proselytes (compare Acts 8:27). The Old Testament itself foretells Isaiah 56:3-5 the removal of this ban when under the kingdom of Messiah the outward and emblematic perfection and sanctity of Israel should be fulfilled in their inner meaning by the covenanted presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the Church. read more