Deuteronomy 23:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:9-14

Israel was now encamped, and this vast army was just entering upon action, which was likely to keep them together for a long time, and therefore it was fit to give them particular directions for the good ordering of their camp. And the charge is in one word to be clean. They must take care to keep their camp pure from moral, ceremonial, and natural pollution. I. From moral pollution (Deut. 23:9): When the host goes forth against thy enemy then look upon thyself as in a special manner engaged... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:13

And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon ,.... A nail or spike, some kind of instrument to make a hole in the ground with, which was fastened to the sword upon their loins; which was to be instead of a spade or mattock to dig with: and it shall be, when thou shall ease thyself abroad ; without the camp, in the place appointed for that use, whenever nature required such an action to be performed: thou shall dig therewith ; with, the paddle, an hole in the earth: the Essenes used,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:9-14

Cleanliness a religious duty. The Law of Moses may be regarded as fourfold—moral, ritual, civil, and sanitary. The precepts in this paragraph are an example of the last-named part thereof. They refer to the inculcation of cleanliness, both in camp and in person. And not only so, but to the observance thereof in time of war. While, perhaps, at such times special evils would result from the neglect of such regulations, yet, on the other hand, it would be precisely when movements were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:9-14

Purity in the camp. The camp was to be free from: 1. Moral pollution ( Deuteronomy 23:9 ). 2. Ceremonial pollution (verses10, 11). 3. Natural pollution ( Deuteronomy 23:12 , Deuteronomy 23:13 )—M. Henry. This, because God was in its midst. He was there to work for their deliverance and for the confusion of their enemies. We are taught— I. THAT MILITARY LIFE IS NO EXCUSE FOR LAXITY IN MORALS , OR FOR A LOWERED STANDARD OF PROPRIETY IN... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:9-14

A pure camp for a pure King. After insisting on purity giving power in war ( Deuteronomy 23:9 ), and giving direction to men about putting away uncleanness which may be due to natural causes, Moses urges the precaution, because the All-seeing One walketh through the camp, Inspector of all their ways ( Deuteronomy 23:14 ). The directions here given might have been urged on sanitary grounds, but Moses puts them deliberately upon religious . For the experience among Orientals and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:13

A paddle upon thy weapon ; rather, a small spade (the word properly means a pin or nail ) among thy furniture , or, according to another reading among thy implements or accoutrements ; they were to carry with them along with their implements of war a tool for digging in the earth. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 23:9-14

The whole passage refers not to the encampments of the nation while passing from Egypt through the wilderness, but to future warlike expeditions seat out from Canaan. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 23:13

Deuteronomy 23:13. Cover To prevent the annoyance of ourselves or others; to preserve and exercise modesty; and principally that by such outward rites they might be inured to the greater reverence of the Divine Majesty, and the greater caution to avoid all real and moral uncleanness. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:1-25

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Deuteronomy 23:13

paddle = blade. weapon = staff. wilt ease. Hebrew sit down. Beautiful Euphemy ( App-6 ), when dealing with physical uncleanness, but plain speaking when dealing with moral uncleanness. read more

Group of Brands