Nehemiah 13:25

Nehemiah 13:25 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!

King James Version KJV

And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

American Standard Version ASV

Bible in Basic English BBE

And I took up the cause against them, cursing them and giving blows to some of them and pulling out their hair; and I made them take an oath by God, saying, You are not to give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.

Free Bible Version FBV

So I confronted them and told them they were cursed. I beat some of them and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God, saying, “You must not allow your daughters to marry their sons, or allow your sons—or yourselves— to marry their daughters.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then I reprooued them, and cursed them, and smote certaine of them, and pulled off their heare, and tooke an othe of them by God, Yee shall not giue your daughters vnto their sonnes, neither shall ye take of their daughters vnto your sonnes, nor for your selues.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And I strive with them, and declare them vile, and smite certain of them, and pluck off their hair, and cause them to swear by God, 'Ye do not give your daughters to their sons, nor do ye take of their daughters to your sons, and to yourselves.

World English Bible WEB

I contended with them, cursed them, struck certain of them, plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying , Ye shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons, or for yourselves.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And I chid them, and laid my curse upon them. And I beat some of them, and shaved off their hair, and made them swear by God that they would not give their daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for their sons, nor for themselves, saying:

Translation for Translators T4T

So I rebuked those men, and I asked God to curse them, and I beat them and pulled out some of their hair. Then I forced them to solemnly promise, knowing that God [MTY] was listening, that they would never again marry foreigners, and never allow their children to marry foreigners.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 13:25

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Nehemiah 13:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וָ/אָרִ֤יב עִמָּ/ם֙ וָ/אֲקַֽלְלֵ֔/ם וָ/אַכֶּ֥ה מֵ/הֶ֛ם אֲנָשִׁ֖ים וָֽ/אֶמְרְטֵ֑/ם וָ/אַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣/ם בֵּֽ/אלֹהִ֗ים אִם תִּתְּנ֤וּ בְנֹֽתֵי/כֶם֙ לִ/בְנֵי/הֶ֔ם וְ/אִם תִּשְׂאוּ֙ מִ/בְּנֹ֣תֵי/הֶ֔ם לִ/בְנֵי/כֶ֖ם וְ/לָ/כֶֽם

וָ/אָרִ֤יב rîyb H7378 to contend Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

עִמָּ/ם֙ ʻim H5973 with Prep | Suff

וָ/אֲקַֽלְלֵ֔/ם qâlal H7043 to lighten Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff

וָ/אַכֶּ֥ה nâkâh H5221 to smite Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cs

מֵ/הֶ֛ם Prep | Suff

אֲנָשִׁ֖ים ʼîysh H376 man N-mp

וָֽ/אֶמְרְטֵ֑/ם mâraṭ H4803 to smooth Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff

וָ/אַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣/ם shâbaʻ H7650 to swear Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff

בֵּֽ/אלֹהִ֗ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 God Prep | N-mp

אִם ʼim H518 if Conj

תִּתְּנ֤וּ nâthan H5414 to give V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

בְנֹֽתֵי/כֶם֙ bath H1323 Bath (Shua) N-fp | Suff

לִ/בְנֵי/הֶ֔ם bên H1121 son Prep | N-mp | Suff

וְ/אִם ʼim H518 if Conj | Conj

תִּשְׂאוּ֙ nâsâʼ H5375 to lift V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

מִ/בְּנֹ֣תֵי/הֶ֔ם bath H1323 Bath (Shua) Prep | N-fp | Suff

לִ/בְנֵי/כֶ֖ם bên H1121 son Prep | N-mp | Suff

וְ/לָ/כֶֽם Conj | Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 13:25

וָ/אָרִ֤יב rîyb H7378 "to contend" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to argue or contend with someone, like in a lawsuit or a heated debate. It is used in various forms, such as physically fighting or verbally complaining. This concept appears in books like Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: 1) to strive, contend 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to strive 1a1a) physically 1a1b) with words 1a2) to conduct a case or suit (legal), sue 1a3) to make complaint 1a4) to quarrel 1b) (Hiphil) to contend against

Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: adversary, chide, complain, contend, debate, [idiom] ever, [idiom] lay wait, plead, rebuke, strive, [idiom] thoroughly. See also: Genesis 26:20; Job 40:2; Psalms 35:1.

עִמָּ/ם֙ ʻim H5973 "with" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.

Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as

Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.

וָ/אֲקַֽלְלֵ֔/ם qâlal H7043 "to lighten" Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff

The Hebrew word qalal means to make something light or easy, but it can also mean to curse or bring into contempt. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including in the books of Exodus and Psalms.

Definition: 1) to be slight, be swift, be trifling, be of little account, be light 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be slight, be abated (of water) 1a2) to be swift 1a3) to be trifling, be of little account 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be swift, show oneself swift 1b2) to appear trifling, be too trifling, be insignificant 1b3) to be lightly esteemed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to make despicable 1c2) to curse 1d) (Pual) to be cursed 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to make light, lighten 1e2) to treat with contempt, bring contempt or dishonour 1f) (Pilpel) 1f1) to shake 1f2) to whet 1g) (Hithpalpel) to shake oneself, be moved to and fro

Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: abate, make bright, bring into contempt, (ac-) curse, despise, (be) ease(-y, -ier), (be a, make, make somewhat, move, seem a, set) light(-en, -er, -ly, -ly afflict, -ly esteem, thing), [idiom] slight(-ly), be swift(-er), (be, be more, make, re-) vile, whet. See also: Genesis 8:8; 2 Kings 3:18; Psalms 37:22.

וָ/אַכֶּ֥ה nâkâh H5221 "to smite" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cs

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.

Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)

Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.

מֵ/הֶ֛ם "" Prep | Suff

אֲנָשִׁ֖ים ʼîysh H376 "man" N-mp

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

וָֽ/אֶמְרְטֵ֑/ם mâraṭ H4803 "to smooth" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff

To smooth or polish something, like making a surface shiny or bald. It can also mean to sharpen or gall something. In the Bible, it's used to describe someone's head being bald or their shoulder being rough.

Definition: 1) to bare, polish, make smooth or bald or bare 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to make bare 1a2) to scour, polish 1b) (Niphal) to be made bald

Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: bright, furbish, (have his) hair (be) fallen off, peeled, pluck off (hair). See also: Leviticus 13:40; Isaiah 50:6; Ezekiel 29:18.

וָ/אַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣/ם shâbaʻ H7650 "to swear" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff

This Hebrew word means to swear an oath, like making a promise or vow. In the Bible, it is used when someone is making a serious promise, often with God as a witness. The KJV translates it as adjure or take an oath.

Definition: 1) to swear, adjure 1a) (Qal) sworn (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to swear, take an oath 1b2) to swear (of Jehovah by Himself) 1b3) to curse 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to take an oath 1c2) to adjure

Usage: Occurs in 175 OT verses. KJV: adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for H7646 (שָׂבַע)), take an oath, [idiom] straitly, (cause to, make to) swear. See also: Genesis 21:23; Judges 21:18; Psalms 15:4.

בֵּֽ/אלֹהִ֗ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" Prep | N-mp

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj

This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.

Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather

Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.

תִּתְּנ֤וּ nâthan H5414 "to give" V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.

Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon

Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.

בְנֹֽתֵי/כֶם֙ bath H1323 "Bath (Shua)" N-fp | Suff

The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.

Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')

Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.

לִ/בְנֵי/הֶ֔ם bên H1121 "son" Prep | N-mp | Suff

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

וְ/אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj | Conj

תִּשְׂאוּ֙ nâsâʼ H5375 "to lift" V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.

Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought

Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.

מִ/בְּנֹ֣תֵי/הֶ֔ם bath H1323 "Bath (Shua)" Prep | N-fp | Suff

Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.

לִ/בְנֵי/כֶ֖ם bên H1121 "son" Prep | N-mp | Suff

Definition: : child/son

וְ/לָ/כֶֽם "" Conj | Prep | Suff

Study Notes — Nehemiah 13:25

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Nehemiah 13:25 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 13:25
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 13:25
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:25
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:25
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:25
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:25
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 13:25
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:25
Sermons on Nehemiah 13:25

Context — Intermarriage Forbidden

23In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah.

25I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!

26Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. 27Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Deuteronomy 7:3	Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons,
2	Nehemiah 13:17	Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day?
3	Nehemiah 10:29–30	hereby join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the Law of God given through His servant Moses and to carefully obey all the commandments, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord. We will not give our daughters in marriage to the people of the land, and we will not take their daughters for our sons.
4	Ezra 10:5	So Ezra got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said. And they took the oath.
5	Nehemiah 13:11	So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts,
6	Nehemiah 5:13	I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake out of His house and possession every man who does not keep this promise. May such a man be shaken out and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
7	Deuteronomy 27:14–26	Then the Levites shall proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite: ‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
8	Proverbs 28:4	Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
9	Ezra 7:26	If anyone does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let a strict judgment be executed against him, whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.
10	2 Chronicles 15:12–15	Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul. And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. They took an oath to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, trumpets, and rams’ horns. And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn it with all their heart. They had sought Him earnestly, and He was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.

Nehemiah 13:25 Summary

[Nehemiah 13:25 teaches us that God is serious about our relationships and who we marry, and that we should prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. As seen in 2 Corinthians 6:14, we should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, and should instead seek to honor God in all our relationships. By obeying God's commands and prioritizing our relationship with Him, we can avoid the consequences of disobedience and experience the blessings of a close relationship with God. This verse also reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that we should strive to honor God in all we do, as seen in Proverbs 3:1-2.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Nehemiah rebuke the Jews for marrying foreign women?

Nehemiah rebuked the Jews for marrying foreign women because it led to idolatry and disobedience to God's commands, as seen in Ezra 9:1-2 and Deuteronomy 7:3-4.

What is the significance of Nehemiah pulling out the hair of some men?

The act of pulling out hair was a symbol of shame and humiliation, as seen in Isaiah 50:6, and it emphasized the seriousness of their sin and the need for repentance.

Is Nehemiah's reaction to the Jews' intermarriage with foreigners still relevant today?

Yes, Nehemiah's reaction is still relevant today, as the Bible teaches that believers should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, and should prioritize their relationship with God above all else.

How does this verse relate to the concept of separation from the world?

This verse relates to the concept of separation from the world, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 and Revelation 18:4, where believers are called to be separate from the world and its influences, and to prioritize their relationship with God.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which I may be compromising my faith by being 'yoked' with the world, and how can I separate myself from these influences?
How can I prioritize my relationship with God and ensure that it is not compromised by my relationships with others?
What are some potential consequences of disobeying God's commands, as seen in this verse, and how can I avoid these consequences in my own life?
In what ways can I demonstrate my commitment to God and my desire to obey His commands, as Nehemiah did in this verse?

Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 13:25

And I contended with them,.... Argued with them, faithfully admonished them, and sharply reproved them: and cursed them; assuring them that the curse of God would come upon them, unless they repented.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 13:25

And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:25

Cursed them, i.e. caused them to be excommunicated and cast out of the society and privileges of God’ s people. This and the following punishments were justly inflicted upon them, because this transgression was contrary both to a very plain and express law of God, and also to their own late solemn covenants and promises, of which see Ezra 10 Ne 10:30. Smote certain of them, i.e. I caused to be beaten with stripes, according to the law, , those whose faults were most aggravated by their quality or other circumstances; to whom he added this punishment over and besides the former. Plucked off their hair, or, shaved them. The hair was an ornament and ensign of liberty among the eastern nations; and baldness was a disgrace and token of slavery and sorrow. See .

Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:25

Nehemiah 13:25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.Ver. 25. And cursed them] i.e. I denounced God’ s heavy curse and vengeance upon them (according to that themselves had wished and entered into, Nehemiah 10:30), in case they repented not. This is nothing, then, in favour of our cursing men who are cursed men, &c. And smote certain of them] So far was his heart enraged with a holy hatred of their sin, that he could not forbear them. So when Charles V had heard that Farnesius (General of the pope’ s forces) had ravished certain ladies, he brake out into this speech (and was never in all his life observed to be more angry at anything), Si adesset impurus ille Farnesius, manu mea confoderem: Oh, if I had here that filthy fellow, I would slay him with mine own hand. And made them swear by God] So they had done before, Nehemiah 10:29-30. But now, alas, they were all gone aside, they were altogether become filthy, they stank above ground, Psalms 14:3. He takes therefore another oath of them, &c.

Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:25

(25) Cursed them.—Nehemiah simply echoed the covenant sanction on this very point (Nehemiah 10:29-30). Certain of them.—Some were selected for special punishment and humiliation. Ezra, on a like occasion, humbled himself by plucking off the hair of his own head (Ezra 9:3). Then they were obliged to repeat the oath of the covenant.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:25

Verse 25. I contended with them] Proved the fact against these iniquitous fathers, in a legal assembly. And cursed them] Denounced the judgments of God and the sentence of the law upon them. Smote certain of them] Had them punished by whipping. And plucked off their hair] Had them shaven, as a mark of the greatest ignominy. And made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give] Caused them to bind themselves by an oath, that they would make no intermarriages with those who were not of the seed of Israel.

Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 13:25

25. I contended] Cf. Nehemiah 13:11; Nehemiah 13:17. cursed] R.V. marg. ‘Or, reviled’. For the word ‘to curse’ (qalal) cf. Nehemiah 13:2; Malachi 3:9; Malachi 4:6. smote … pluckt off their hair] Nehemiah’s frantic excitement against these countrymen was accompanied with gestures and blows such as may be witnessed in Syria but are almost incredible to our western ideas. pluckt off their hair] LXX. ἐμαδάρωσααὐτούς. Vulg. ‘decalvavi eos.’ Commentators suggest that this was done at Nehemiah’s command, and not by his own hand; further that it was a judicial sentence of ‘depilatio.’ But the context quite supports the idea that he personally ill-treated them; so frantic was his indignation. He did not intend, as some suggest, by pulling out their hair to compel them to assume the appearance of penitents. For the action of pulling out the hair cf. Ezra 9:3. made them swear by God, saying] i.e. he made them swear an oath in God’s name, the words of the oath being given in the clause following. This is better than the alternative rendering, ‘I adjured them by God’ (cf. 1 Kings 18:10; Son 2:7). Ye shall not] The oath which Nehemiah administered in the 2nd plur. was repeated by the Jews in the first pers. unto your sons] R.V. for your sons.

Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:25

25. I contended with them — By rebuke and expostulation, as he had done with the rulers and nobles. Vers. 11, 17. Cursed them — Comp. Malachi 3:9.

Sermons on Nehemiah 13:25

	Sermon	Description
	Commentary Notes - Joshua by Walter Beuttler	Walter Beuttler preaches on the book of Joshua, highlighting the historical account of Israel's conquest of Canaan, where God led them into victory. The key phrase 'the Lord fought
	The Fourth Commandment by A.W. Pink	A.W. Pink emphasizes the significance of the Fourth Commandment, which calls for the observance of the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship. He explains that this commandment is no
	From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Nehemiah) ch.9 & 10 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the example of the people in the book of Nehemiah who dedicated six hours to reading the Word of God and praying. He emphasizes that they wer
	Worship in the Midst of War by Jono Sims	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of faithful preaching and declares that the faithful man of God is called to declare the whole counsel of God, regardless of
	I Once Longed for New Things to Obey by Carter Conlon	This sermon emphasizes the importance of renewing the altar of the Lord in our lives, shunning evil, embracing good, and maintaining a servant's heart. It highlights the dangers of
	Seeking Gods Face by Richard Owen Roberts	This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's face in times of trouble and spiritual decline. It recounts stories of individuals and communities who experienced revival an
	They Entered Into a Covenant to Seek The by F.B. Meyer	F.B. Meyer emphasizes the significance of entering into a covenant with God, contrasting it with the fleeting covenants made by humans. He highlights that God's covenant is permane