Nehemiah 13:3

3. They separated from Israel all the mixed multitude Literally, separated all mixture from Israel. The word ערב , mixed multitude, is used of the people of foreign blood who accompanied the Hebrews out of Egypt, (Exodus 12:38,) and afterwards lusted after flesh. Numbers 11:4. It may, therefore, refer to any non-Israelitish people. So according to the true spirit of the law they separated themselves from all foreigners, not from Ammonites and Moabites only. Marriage with unbelievers is fraught with so much danger that it is discountenanced in the New Testament also. 2 Corinthians 6:14. Intermarriage and association with foreigners was an evil against which both Ezra and Nehemiah had to fight repeatedly. Compare Nehemiah 13:23-30, and Nehemiah 9:2; also Ezra 9-10, notes.