Nehemiah 13:2

The reason for that was that the people of Ammon and the people of Moab did not give/sell any food or water to the Israelis while the Israelis were going through their areas after they left Egypt. Instead, the people of Ammon and Moab paid money to Balaam in order that he would curse the Israelis. But God commanded Balaam to bless the people, not to curse them.

Translation for Translators

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, when someone read to the people parts of the laws that God gave to Moses, they read where it was written that no one from the Ammon people-group or the Moab people-group was ever to be allowed to be with God’s people while they were gathered together to worship.

3So when the people heard these laws being read to them, they sent away all the people whose ancestors had come from other countries.

Read all of Nehemiah 13

Cross References

Numbers 22:3When he saw that the Israelis were very numerous, he and his people became terrified.

Numbers 23:8But ◄how can I curse people whom God has not cursed?/I certainly cannot curse people whom God has not cursed!► [RHQ] ◄How can I condemn people whom Yahweh has not condemned?/I cannot condemn people whom Yahweh has not condemned!► [RHQ]

Numbers 24:5You descendants of Jacob, your tents are very beautiful; they are truly lovely!

Deuteronomy 23:5But Yahweh our God did not pay attention to Balaam; instead, he caused Balaam to bless your ancestors, because Yahweh loved them.

Psalms 109:28They may curse me, but I ask that you bless me. Cause those who ◄persecute/cause problems for► me to be defeated and as a result to be disgraced/ashamed, and cause me to be glad/happy!

Matthew 25:40I will reply, ‘The truth is that whatever you did for any one of your fellow believers, even an unimportant one, it was as though you did it for me.’

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

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