CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 23:4 For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/23-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/05_Deu_23_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 23:4 - Exclusion from the Congregation" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/23-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/23-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm" title="Deuteronomy 23:3">◄</a> Deuteronomy 23:4 <a href="/deuteronomy/23-5.htm" title="Deuteronomy 23:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/23.htm">New International Version</a> For they did not come to meet you with bread and water on your way when you came out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram Naharaim to pronounce a curse on you. <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> These nations did not welcome you with food and water when you came out of Egypt. Instead, they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in distant Aram-naharaim to curse you. <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the way, when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/23.htm">King James Bible</a> Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. <a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/23.htm">New King James Version</a> because they did not meet you with bread and water on the road when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. <a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. <a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. <a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. <a href="/amp/deuteronomy/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> because they did not meet you with bread (food) and water on the road as you came out of Egypt, and because they hired [to act] against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. <a href="/csb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> This is because they did not meet you with food and water on the journey after you came out of Egypt, and because Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim was hired to curse you. <a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> This is because they did not meet you with food and water on the journey after you came out of Egypt, and because Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim was hired to curse you. <a href="/asv/deuteronomy/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt, and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. <a href="/cev/deuteronomy/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> This is because when you came out of Egypt, they refused to provide you with food and water. And besides, they hired Balaam to put a curse on you. <a href="/erv/deuteronomy/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. <a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They cannot join because they didn't greet you with food and water on your trip from Egypt. They even hired Balaam, son of Beor, from Pethor in Aram Naharaim, to curse you. <a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> They refused to provide you with food and water when you were on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor, from the city of Pethor in Mesopotamia, to curse you. <a href="/isv/deuteronomy/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> because they didn't come to meet you with food and water along the way as you were coming out of Egypt. Instead, they hired Beor's son Balaam from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. <a href="/msb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. <a href="/net/deuteronomy/23.htm">NET Bible</a> for they did not meet you with food and water on the way as you came from Egypt, and furthermore, they hired Balaam son of Beor of Pethor in Aram Naharaim to curse you. <a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> because they did not meet you with bread and with water in the way, when you came forth out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Aram Naharaim, to curse you. <a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth from Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. <a href="/web/deuteronomy/23.htm">World English Bible</a> because they didn’t meet you with bread and with water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> because that they have not come before you with bread and with water in the way, in your coming out from Egypt, and because he has hired against you Balaam son of Beor, of Pethor of Aram-Naharaim, to revile you; <a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> because that they have not come before you with bread and with water in the way, in your coming out from Egypt, and because he hath hired against thee Balaam son of Beor, of Pethor of Aram-Naharaim, to revile thee; <a href="/slt/deuteronomy/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For the word that they met you not with bread and with water in the way in your coming out of Egypt, and who hired against thee Balaam, son of Beor of Pethor, of Arum of the two rivers, to curse thee.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Because they would not meet you with bread and water in the way, when you came out of Egypt: and because they hired against thee Balaam, the son of Beer, from Mesopotamia in Syria, to curse thee. <a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> because they were not willing to meet you with bread and water along the way, when you had departed from Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam, the son of Beor, from Mesopotamia in Syria, in order to curse you. <a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/23.htm">New American Bible</a> because they would not come to meet you with food and water on your journey after you left Egypt, and because they hired Balaam, son of Beor, from Pethor in Aram Naharaim, to curse you. <a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> because they did not meet you with food and water on your journey out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam son of Beor, from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the way, when you came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Aram-nahrin (Mesopotamia) to curse you. <a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Because they did not bring to you bread and water in the way when you went out from Egypt, and because they hired Balaam, son of Beor, from Pithor of Aram Nahrayn, against you to curse you.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Aram-naharaim, to curse thee. <a href="/sep/deuteronomy/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> because they met you not with bread and water by the way, when ye went out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Mesopotamia to curse thee. <a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=6251" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Exclusion from the Congregation</a> …3No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. 4<a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇar (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">they did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6923.htm" title="6923: qid·də·mū (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To come or be in front, meet. A primitive root; to project, i.e. Precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet.">meet</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: bal·le·ḥem (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">you with food</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ū·ḇam·ma·yim (Conj-w, Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">and water</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: bad·de·reḵ (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">on your way</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: bə·ṣê·ṯə·ḵem (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 2mp) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">out of</a> <a href="/hebrew/4714.htm" title="4714: mim·miṣ·rā·yim (Prep-m:: N-proper-fs) -- A son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa. Dual of matsowr; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt.">Egypt,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: wa·’ă·šer (Conj-w:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/7936.htm" title="7936: śā·ḵar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- Or cakar; a primitive root (by prosthesis) to karah through the idea of temporary purchase; compare shakar); to hire.">they hired</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1109.htm" title="1109: bil·‘ām (N-proper-ms) -- Probably from bal and am; not people, i.e. Foreigner; Bilam, a Mesopotamian prophet; also a place in Palestine.">Balaam</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/1160.htm" title="1160: bə·‘ō·wr (N-proper-ms) -- From ba'ar; a lamp; Beor, the name of the father of an Edomitish king; also of that of Balaam.">of Beor</a> <a href="/hebrew/6604.htm" title="6604: mip·pə·ṯō·wr (Prep-m:: N-proper-fs) -- Pethor -- home of Balaam. Of foreign origin; Pethor, a place in Mesopotamia.">from Pethor</a> <a href="/hebrew/763.htm" title="763: ’ă·ram Aram of (the) two rivers, a district of Aram (Syria). From 'Aram and the dual of nahar; Aram of two rivers or Mesopotamia."></a> <a href="/hebrew/763.htm" title="763: na·hă·ra·yim (N-proper-fs) -- Aram of (the) two rivers, a district of Aram (Syria). From 'Aram and the dual of nahar; Aram of two rivers or Mesopotamia.">in Aram-naharaim</a> <a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: lə·qal·le·kā (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf:: 2mse) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">to curse you.</a> 5Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/numbers/22-5.htm">Numbers 22:5-6</a> he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. / So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.” <a href="/nehemiah/13-1.htm">Nehemiah 13:1-2</a> At that time the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people, and in it they found the passage stating that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, / because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing). <a href="/judges/11-17.htm">Judges 11:17-18</a> Then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let us pass through your land,’ but the king of Edom would not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel stayed in Kadesh. / Then Israel traveled through the wilderness and bypassed the lands of Edom and Moab. They came to the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the territory of Moab, since the Arnon was its border. <a href="/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9-10</a> He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.” / Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. <a href="/joshua/24-9.htm">Joshua 24:9-10</a> Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand. <a href="/micah/6-5.htm">Micah 6:5</a> My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’” <a href="/numbers/25-1.htm">Numbers 25:1-3</a> While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab, / who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. / So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them. <a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">2 Peter 2:15</a> They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. <a href="/jude/1-11.htm">Jude 1:11</a> Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. <a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Revelation 2:14</a> But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. <a href="/numbers/31-16.htm">Numbers 31:16</a> “Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD. <a href="/2_samuel/10-1.htm">2 Samuel 10:1-2</a> Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son Hanun. / And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites, <a href="/psalms/83-4.htm">Psalm 83:4-8</a> saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.” / For with one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against You— / the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, ... <a href="/isaiah/15-1.htm">Isaiah 15:1-5</a> This is the burden against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is devastated, destroyed in a night! / Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. / In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping. ... <a href="/jeremiah/48-1.htm">Jeremiah 48:1-2</a> Concerning Moab, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Woe to Nebo, for it will be devastated. Kiriathaim will be captured and disgraced; the fortress will be shattered and dismantled. / There is no longer praise for Moab; in Heshbon they devise evil against her: ‘Come, let us cut her off from nationhood.’ You too, O people of Madmen, will be silenced; the sword will pursue you.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when you came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.Because they met<a href="/deuteronomy/2-28.htm">Deuteronomy 2:28,29</a> Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink: only I will pass through on my feet; … <a href="/genesis/14-17.htm">Genesis 14:17,18</a> And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale… <a href="/1_samuel/25-11.htm">1 Samuel 25:11</a> Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?because they hired<a href="/numbers/22-5.htm">Numbers 22:5,7,17</a> He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: … <a href="/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2</a> Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/23-7.htm">Aram</a> <a href="/genesis/24-10.htm">Aram-Naharaim</a> <a href="/numbers/31-16.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/numbers/31-8.htm">Beor</a> <a href="/numbers/31-8.htm">Be'or</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-16.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-1.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-18.htm">Hired</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-28.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/genesis/24-10.htm">Mesopotamia</a> <a href="/genesis/24-10.htm">Mesopota'mia</a> <a href="/numbers/27-3.htm">Met</a> <a href="/genesis/24-10.htm">Naharaim</a> <a href="/numbers/22-5.htm">Pethor</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-14.htm">Revile</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-4.htm">Water</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-6.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Aram</a> <a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Aram-Naharaim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-5.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/joshua/13-22.htm">Beor</a> <a href="/joshua/13-22.htm">Be'or</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-6.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-5.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-9.htm">Egypt</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-14.htm">Hired</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-7.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Mesopotamia</a> <a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Mesopota'mia</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-18.htm">Met</a> <a href="/judges/3-8.htm">Naharaim</a> <a href="/numbers/22-5.htm">Pethor</a> <a href="/joshua/24-9.htm">Revile</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-11.htm">Water</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-9.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 23</div>1. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-1.htm">Who may or may not enter into the congregation</a> 9. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-9.htm">Uncleanness is to be avoided in the host</a> 15. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Of the fugitive servant</a> 17. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-17.htm">Of filthiness</a> 18. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-18.htm">Of abominable sacrifices</a> 19. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-19.htm">Of usury</a> 20. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-20.htm">Of vows</a> 24. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-24.htm">Of trespass</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt This phrase refers to the lack of hospitality shown by the Ammonites and Moabites to the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, providing food and water to travelers was a basic expectation of hospitality. The failure to do so was seen as a significant breach of social norms. This act of neglect is highlighted in contrast to the kindness shown by others, such as Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, who provided support and guidance (Exodus 18). The Israelites' journey from Egypt was a pivotal moment in their history, marking their transition from slavery to becoming a nation under God's covenant. The refusal of the Ammonites and Moabites to assist them is seen as an act of hostility against God's chosen people.and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you This part of the verse references the story found in <a href="/numbers/22.htm">Numbers 22-24</a>, where Balak, the king of Moab, hires Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balaam, a prophet from Pethor in Aram-naharaim (likely in the region of Mesopotamia), is a complex figure who is known for his ability to bless and curse. Despite being hired to curse Israel, God intervenes, and Balaam ends up blessing them instead. This incident underscores the theme of divine protection over Israel, as God turns intended curses into blessings. The geographical reference to Aram-naharaim, which means "Aram of the Two Rivers," situates Balaam in a region known for its ancient wisdom and divination practices. This story also foreshadows the ultimate blessing and protection found in Jesus Christ, who transforms curses into blessings for those who follow Him (<a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Galatians 3:13-14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were journeying to the Promised Land. 2. <a href="/topical/m/moabites.htm">Moabites</a> A nation descended from Lot, who refused to provide hospitality to the Israelites during their exodus. 3. <a href="/topical/b/balaam_son_of_beor.htm">Balaam son of Beor</a> A prophet hired by the Moabites to curse the Israelites, but God intervened. 4. <a href="/topical/p/pethor.htm">Pethor</a> The city in Aram-naharaim where Balaam resided. 5. <a href="/topical/a/aram-naharaim.htm">Aram-naharaim</a> A region in Mesopotamia, often associated with the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_hospitality.htm">The Importance of Hospitality</a> The Moabites' refusal to offer bread and water to the Israelites is a lesson on the significance of hospitality. As Christians, we are called to show kindness and generosity, even to strangers and those in need. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_curses.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Curses</a> Despite the Moabites' attempt to curse Israel through Balaam, God turned the curse into a blessing. This demonstrates God's ultimate control over situations and His protection over His people. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_hostility.htm">The Consequences of Hostility</a> The Moabites' actions had long-term consequences, as seen in their exclusion from the assembly of the Lord. This serves as a warning about the repercussions of hostility and opposition to God's people. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_protection.htm">Trust in God's Protection</a> The Israelites' experience with Balaam and the Moabites encourages believers to trust in God's protection and provision, even when faced with opposition or curses.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 23</a> <a href="/q/how_does_ruth_fit_deut._23_3's_exclusion.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3 – How can the permanent exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites align with the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman in David’s lineage? </a> <a href="/q/how_is_ruth_accepted_despite_nehemiah_13.htm">How can we reconcile Nehemiah 13:1–3 banning Ammonites and Moabites from the assembly with earlier passages showing Ruth, a Moabite, fully accepted among God’s people? </a> <a href="/q/does_micah_6_5_align_with_other_balaam_accounts.htm">How does Micah 6:5 align with or contradict other biblical accounts concerning Balak, Balaam, and their historical credibility?</a> <a href="/q/does_ruth_1_4_conflict_with_deut._23_3.htm">Does the marriage of Naomi's sons to Moabite women (Ruth 1:4) conflict with restrictions found in Deuteronomy 23:3?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Because they met you not with bread and with water.--We learn incidentally from this passage how the Moabites and the Ammonites requited the forbearance shown them by the Israelites (<a href="/deuteronomy/2-9.htm" title="And the LORD said to me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give you of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar to the children of Lot for a possession.">Deuteronomy 2:9</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/2-19.htm" title="And when you come near over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give you of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it to the children of Lot for a possession.">Deuteronomy 2:19</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/2-29.htm" title="(As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did to me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God gives us.">Deuteronomy 2:29</a>). No one not acquainted with the details of Israel's intercourse with these people on their journey could have written thus.Because they hired against thee Balaam.--See Numbers 22 and <a href="/numbers/31-16.htm" title="Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.">Numbers 31:16</a>, and Numbers 25. <a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>For עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against they did not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no meet קִדְּמ֤וּ (qid·də·mū) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6923.htm">Strong's 6923: </a> To project, precede, to anticipate, hasten, meet you with food בַּלֶּ֣חֶם (bal·le·ḥem) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> Food, bread, grain and water וּבַמַּ֔יִם (ū·ḇam·ma·yim) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen on your way בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ (bad·de·reḵ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action out of בְּצֵאתְכֶ֣ם (bə·ṣê·ṯə·ḵem) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim Egypt, מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם (mim·miṣ·rā·yim) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4714.htm">Strong's 4714: </a> Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa [and] וַאֲשֶׁר֩ (wa·’ă·šer) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that they hired שָׂכַ֨ר (śā·ḵar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7936.htm">Strong's 7936: </a> To hire Balaam בִּלְעָ֣ם (bil·‘ām) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1109.htm">Strong's 1109: </a> Balaam -- a prophet son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Beor בְּע֗וֹר (bə·‘ō·wr) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1160.htm">Strong's 1160: </a> Beor -- 'a burning', father of an Edomite king, also the father of Balaam from Pethor מִפְּת֛וֹר (mip·pə·ṯō·wr) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6604.htm">Strong's 6604: </a> Pethor -- home of Balaam in Aram-naharaim נַהֲרַ֖יִם (na·hă·ra·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_763.htm">Strong's 763: </a> Mesopotamia -- 'Aram of (the) two rivers', a district of Aram (Syria) to curse you. לְקַֽלְלֶֽךָּ׃ (lə·qal·le·kā) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7043.htm">Strong's 7043: </a> To be slight, swift or trifling <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 23:4 Because they didn't meet you with bread (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 23:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 23:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 23:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 23:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>