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<!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>Nehemiah 13:2 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).</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/13-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/16_Neh_13_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 13:2 - Foreigners Excluded" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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)." /><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/nehemiah/13-2.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/nehemiah/13-2.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="/nehemiah/">Nehemiah</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 2</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="/ad2.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="/nehemiah/13-1.htm" title="Nehemiah 13:1">◄</a> Nehemiah 13:2 <a href="/nehemiah/13-3.htm" title="Nehemiah 13:3">►</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"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/13.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For they had not provided the Israelites with food and water in the wilderness. Instead, they hired Balaam to curse them, though our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />because they did not meet the Israelites with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. Yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />because they did not meet the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam against them to curse them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />because they did not meet the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam against them to curse them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />This was because they had refused to give food and water to Israel and had hired Balaam to call down a curse on them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />(After all, they didn't welcome the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam to curse the Israelites. But our God turned the curse into a blessing.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />This was because the people of Ammon and Moab did not give food and water to the Israelites on their way out of Egypt. Instead, they paid money to Balaam to curse Israel, but our God turned the curse into a blessing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />because they did not greet the Israelis with food and water, but instead hired Balaam to oppose them by cursing them, even though our God turned the curse into a blessing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />for they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but instead had hired Balaam to curse them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into blessing.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />because they did not meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: however our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Baalam against them, that he should curse them: but our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them; however, our God turned the curse into a blessing. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />because they have not come before the sons of Israel with bread and with water, and hire against them Balaam to revile them, and our God turns the reviling into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> because they have not come before the sons of Israel with bread and with water, and hire against them Balaam to revile them, and our God turneth the reviling into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For they anticipated not the sons of Israel with bread and with water, and he will hire Balaam against him to curse him: and God will turn the curse to blessing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water: and they hired against them Balaam, to curse them, and our God turned the curse into blessing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, and they hired Balaam against them, to curse them. But our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />for they did not meet the Israelites with food and water, but they hired Balaam to curse them, though our God turned the curse into a blessing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />because they did not meet the Israelites with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Because they did not meet the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Baalam to curse them; but our God turned his curses into blessings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because they did not meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, and they hired Balaam for themselves to curse them, and our God turned his curses into blessings.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them; howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them: but our God turned the curse into a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=3854" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/13.htm">Foreigners Excluded</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>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, <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</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 had 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.">met</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/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></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.">with food</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ū·ḇam·mā·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/7936.htm" title="7936: way·yiś·kōr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Or cakar; a primitive root (by prosthesis) to karah through the idea of temporary purchase; compare shakar); to hire.">but had hired</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/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: lə·qal·lōw (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf:: 3ms) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">to call down a curse</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against them</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·nū (N-mpc:: 1cp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">(although our God</a> <a href="/hebrew/2015.htm" title="2015: way·ya·hă·p̄ōḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To turn, overturn. A primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert.">had turned</a> <a href="/hebrew/7045.htm" title="7045: haq·qə·lā·lāh (Art:: N-fs) -- A curse. From qalal; vilification.">the curse</a> <a href="/hebrew/1293.htm" title="1293: liḇ·rā·ḵāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- A blessing. From barak; benediction; by implication prosperity.">into a blessing).</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>As soon as the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all of foreign descent.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3-5</a></span><br />No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. / 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. / Yet 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/22-5.htm">Numbers 22:5-6</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/23-7.htm">Numbers 23:7-8</a></span><br />And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’ / How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9-10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/24-9.htm">Joshua 24:9-10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-5.htm">Micah 6:5</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-6.htm">Deuteronomy 23:6</a></span><br />You are not to seek peace or prosperity from them as long as you live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/22-12.htm">Numbers 22:12</a></span><br />But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/24-1.htm">Numbers 24:1</a></span><br />And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/24-5.htm">Numbers 24:5-9</a></span><br />How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! / They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. / Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Numbers 24:17</a></span><br />I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">2 Peter 2:15</a></span><br />They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jude/1-11.htm">Jude 1:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Revelation 2:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></span><br />But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: however, our God turned the curse into a blessing.</p><p class="hdg">Because.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40</a></b></br> And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done <i>it</i> unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done <i>it</i> unto me.</p><p class="hdg">hired Balaam.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/22-3.htm">Numbers 22:3-6</a></b></br> And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they <i>were</i> many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/24-9.htm">Joshua 24:9,10</a></b></br> Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you: … </p><p class="hdg">our God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/23-8.htm">Numbers 23:8-11,18</a></b></br> How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, <i>whom</i> the LORD hath not defied? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/24-5.htm">Numbers 24:5-10</a></b></br> How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, <i>and</i> thy tabernacles, O Israel! … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/23-5.htm">Deuteronomy 23:5</a></b></br> Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/24-10.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-46.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-33.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-47.htm">Children</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-29.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-1.htm">Food</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/19-6.htm">Hire</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-13.htm">Hired</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-33.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-33.htm">However</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-47.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/nehemiah/11-20.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-38.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/22-8.htm">Met</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-10.htm">Revile</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-3.htm">Reviling</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-35.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-4.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-37.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/micah/6-5.htm">Balaam</a> <a href="/job/1-10.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/esther/8-10.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-16.htm">Children</a> <a href="/job/1-11.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/esther/2-9.htm">Food</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-10.htm">Hire</a> <a href="/job/7-1.htm">Hired</a> <a href="/job/30-24.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-6.htm">However</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-3.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-3.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/esther/2-9.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/esther/4-7.htm">Met</a> <a href="/psalms/10-13.htm">Revile</a> <a href="/psalms/109-17.htm">Reviling</a> <a href="/esther/9-1.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/esther/3-10.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/job/3-24.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/13-1.htm">Upon the reading of the law, separation is made from the mixed multitude.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/13-4.htm">Nehemiah, at his return, causes the chambers to be cleansed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/13-10.htm">He reforms the offices in the house of God;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/13-15.htm">the violation of the Sabbath;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/13-23.htm">and the marriages with the strange wives.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/nehemiah/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/nehemiah/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>because they had not met the Israelites with food and water</b><br>This phrase refers to the actions of the Moabites and Ammonites during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. In <a href="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3-4</a>, it is recorded that these nations did not provide assistance to the Israelites, which was a customary act of hospitality in the ancient Near East. This lack of hospitality was significant because it demonstrated hostility and a refusal to support God's chosen people. The cultural expectation of providing for travelers was deeply ingrained, and failing to do so was seen as an act of enmity.<p><b>but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them</b><br>The Moabites and Ammonites went further by hiring Balaam, a prophet, to curse the Israelites, as detailed in <a href="/numbers/22.htm">Numbers 22-24</a>. This act of hiring Balaam shows the extent of their opposition to Israel. Balaam's story is a complex one, as he was a prophet who had knowledge of the true God but was swayed by the promise of wealth. This incident highlights the spiritual warfare against Israel and the attempts to thwart God's plans through supernatural means. Balaam's involvement is also a reminder of the spiritual battle that believers face, as seen in <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>.<p><b>(although our God had turned the curse into a blessing)</b><br>Despite the intentions of the Moabites and Balaam, God intervened and transformed the intended curse into a blessing. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and His ability to protect and bless His people despite opposition. In <a href="/numbers/24-10.htm">Numbers 24:10</a>, Balaam ends up blessing Israel instead of cursing them, which underscores the theme of God's providence and faithfulness. This transformation is a type of Christ, who turns curses into blessings for believers, as seen in <a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Galatians 3:13-14</a>, where Christ redeems us from the curse of the law. This phrase reassures believers of God's ultimate control and His power to bring good out of evil intentions.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah</a></b><br>A Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and reforming the community according to God's laws.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who were returning from exile and re-establishing their identity and practices in Jerusalem.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/balaam.htm">Balaam</a></b><br>A prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites, but God intervened and turned the curse into a blessing.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moabites.htm">Moabites</a></b><br>A neighboring nation to Israel, often in conflict with them, who did not support the Israelites during their journey.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign deity of Israel who protects and blesses His people, even turning intended curses into blessings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>God is in control and can turn any situation, even those meant for harm, into a blessing for His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a></b><br>The Israelites faced opposition, but God's faithfulness ensured their protection and blessing. We can trust God in our own adversities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_blessing_and_curse.htm">The Power of Blessing and Curse</a></b><br>Words have power, but God's power is greater. He can nullify curses and transform them into blessings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>Nehemiah's reforms remind us of the importance of adhering to God's laws and commands, which bring order and blessing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a></b><br>The Moabites' refusal to support Israel highlights the importance of community and support among God's people.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nehemiah_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_galilee's_role_in_the_bible.htm">Why did God command killing Midianites, including children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_god_allow_curses,_not_forgiveness.htm">Nehemiah 4:4-5: Why would a just and merciful God sanction curses against enemies, conflicting with later teachings of forgiveness?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> follows closely <a href="/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Deuteronomy 23:4, 5</a>, merely substituting the third for the second person, and abbreviating a little. On the turning of Balaam's proposed curse into a blessing see <a href="/numbers/24-10.htm">Numbers 24:10</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they had not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֧א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">met</span><br /><span class="heb">קִדְּמ֛וּ</span> <span class="translit">(qid·də·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6923.htm">Strong's 6923: </a> </span><span class="str2">To project, precede, to anticipate, hasten, meet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with food</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּלֶּ֣חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(bal·le·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and water,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבַמָּ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇam·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but had hired</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiś·kōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7936.htm">Strong's 7936: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Balaam</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְעָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(bil·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1109.htm">Strong's 1109: </a> </span><span class="str2">Balaam -- a prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to call down a curse</span><br /><span class="heb">לְקַֽלְל֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·qal·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7043.htm">Strong's 7043: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be slight, swift or trifling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against them</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָ֤יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">(although our God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had turned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּהֲפֹ֧ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·hă·p̄ōḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2015.htm">Strong's 2015: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the curse</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקְּלָלָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qə·lā·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7045.htm">Strong's 7045: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vilification</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into a blessing).</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבְרָכָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(liḇ·rā·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1293.htm">Strong's 1293: </a> </span><span class="str2">Benediction, prosperity</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/13-2.htm">Nehemiah 13:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/13-2.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 13:2 Because they didn't meet the children (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/13-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 13:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 13:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/13-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 13:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 13:3" /></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>