Nehemiah 13:2

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.

JPS TaNaKH 1917

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

1On that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God for ever;

3And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the alien mixture.

Read all of Nehemiah 13

Cross References

Numbers 22:3And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many; and Moab was overcome with dread because of the children of Israel.

Numbers 23:8How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? And how shall I execrate, whom the LORD hath not execrated?

Numbers 24:5How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings, O Israel!

Deuteronomy 23:5(23-6) 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.

Psalms 109:28Let them curse, but bless Thou; when they arise, they shall be put to shame, but Thy servant shall rejoice.

Matthew Henry on Nehemiah 13:2-10

The People's Attention to Their Duty. ( b. c. 444.) 1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; 2 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. 3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all… Read the whole commentary →

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