Deuteronomy 23

King James Version

Full text for Deuteronomy Chapter 23

1¶ He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

2A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

3An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:

4Because 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.

5Nevertheless 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.

6Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.

7Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he [is] thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.

8The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation.

9¶ When the host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing.

10If there be among you any man, that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth him by night, then shall he go abroad out of the camp, he shall not come within the camp:

11But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash [himself] with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp [again].

12Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:

13And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:

14For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

15¶ Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:

16He shall dwell with thee, [even] among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him.

17There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

18Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.

19Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:

20Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

21When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

22But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

23That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; [even] a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

24When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put [any] in thy vessel.

25When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Deuteronomy 23 outlines various laws concerning inclusion in the LORD's congregation, camp purity, and ethical conduct. It prohibits certain individuals and nations from entering the assembly, while also mandating strict hygiene in military camps to preserve holiness. Furthermore, the chapter addresses regulations regarding escaped servants, sexual purity, usury, vows, and gleaning from neighbors' fields.

Medium Summary

Deuteronomy 23 establishes specific criteria for who may enter the congregation of the LORD, excluding those with certain physical defects, bastards, and perpetually, Ammonites and Moabites due to their past hostility towards Israel. Conversely, Edomites and Egyptians are permitted entry after the third generation. The chapter then details regulations for maintaining holiness within the military camp, requiring those with nocturnal emissions to purify themselves outside the camp and mandating proper disposal of human waste to ensure God's presence. Further social laws include the protection of escaped servants, prohibiting their return to their masters, and condemning prostitution and sodomy within Israel. It also forbids bringing ill-gotten gains as offerings and differentiates between lending with usury to a brother versus a stranger. Finally, the chapter emphasizes the importance of fulfilling vows and permits individuals to eat from a neighbor's vineyard or cornfield, but not to carry away or harvest extensively.

Long Summary

Deuteronomy 23 commences with strict regulations concerning who may enter the congregation of the LORD, excluding individuals with certain physical mutilations and those born of illegitimate unions, even to their tenth generation. It also permanently bars Ammonites and Moabites from the assembly, citing their lack of hospitality towards Israel during their exodus from Egypt and their hiring of Balaam to curse them, though the LORD turned the curse into a blessing. In contrast, Edomites and Egyptians are permitted to enter the congregation in their third generation, acknowledging their familial ties or historical context. The chapter then transitions to laws governing the holiness of the camp, particularly during military campaigns. It mandates that any man rendered unclean by a nocturnal emission must go outside the camp until evening, wash himself, and then may return after sunset. Crucially, the Israelites are commanded to have a designated place outside the camp for defecation, requiring them to dig and cover their waste, emphasizing that the LORD God walks in the midst of their camp, demanding a holy environment free from uncleanliness. Subsequent verses address social and ethical matters, including a unique provision for escaped servants, who are not to be returned to their masters but allowed to dwell freely in any chosen city. The chapter strictly prohibits prostitution among Israelite daughters and sodomy among sons, and forbids bringing the earnings of a harlot or the price of a dog as offerings to the LORD, deeming them abominations. Laws concerning usury are also laid out, forbidding lending money, food, or anything else with interest to a fellow Israelite, but permitting it to a stranger, so that the LORD may bless their endeavors. The importance of fulfilling vows made to the LORD is stressed, noting that while it is not a sin to refrain from vowing, any vow made must be promptly paid. Lastly, the chapter includes provisions for gleaning, allowing individuals to eat their fill of grapes from a neighbor's vineyard or pluck ears of corn from a standing field, but strictly prohibiting them from carrying away produce in a vessel or using a sickle to harvest.

Core Concepts

  • Exclusion from CongregationCertain individuals, such as those with physical mutilations, illegitimate children, and specific foreign nations like Ammonites and Moabites, were barred from entering the assembly of the LORD, often for multiple generations or perpetually. This established boundaries for the holy community.
  • Camp Holiness and SanitationDuring military campaigns, strict rules were enforced to maintain the camp's purity, including temporary exclusion for ritual uncleanness and the proper disposal of human waste. This was commanded because the LORD God walked in the midst of the camp, requiring it to be holy.
  • Treatment of Escaped ServantsUniquely, the law commanded that an escaped servant should not be returned to their master but allowed to dwell freely among the Israelites in a place of their choosing. This provision offered refuge and protection to those seeking freedom.
  • Prohibition of UsuryIsraelites were forbidden from lending money, food, or other items with interest to fellow Israelites, promoting mutual support within the community. However, lending with usury to a stranger was permitted.
  • Sanctity of VowsThe chapter emphasizes the solemn obligation to fulfill any vow made to the LORD, stating that failure to pay would be considered sin. While vowing was not mandatory, once a promise was uttered, it had to be performed.
  • Sexual PurityStrict prohibitions were placed against prostitution among Israelite women and sodomy among Israelite men, underscoring the importance of moral and sexual integrity within the covenant community. Offerings derived from such practices were also deemed abominable.
  • Gleaning RightsIndividuals were permitted to eat grapes or pluck ears of corn from a neighbor's vineyard or standing cornfield for immediate consumption. However, they were forbidden from carrying away produce or using tools for harvesting, ensuring sustenance without theft.