Deuteronomy 23:4-5
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While it mentions "bread and water," the core offense wasn't just a lack of hospitality, but a deliberate refusal to offer basic human kindness to people passing through their land, especially when God’s provision meant Israel didn't need it, yet the act itself would have been a sign of goodwill. This, combined with hiring Balaam to curse them, reveals a deep-seated animosity that went far beyond simple political disagreement.
because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the way, when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. But the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam; instead the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loved you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage explains why Ammonites and Moabites are excluded from Israel's community, detailing their hostile actions during the Exodus journey. After refusing basic hospitality of bread and water, they even hired the sorcerer Balaam to curse Israel. These offenses, stemming from a shared lineage but demonstrating distinct malice, set them apart from other nations like Edom and Egypt who, despite their own transgressions, are treated with more leniency.
When you're on a journey, feeling tired and far from home, what's the first thing you hope for from strangers? This verse highlights a specific failure that brought lasting consequences.
Imagine trekking through a desert, dusty and weary. The Israelites, fresh from their exodus from Egypt, were in desperate need of basic human kindness.
A Universal Need
In ancient times, hospitality wasn't just nice; it was crucial. There were no hotels or rest stops. Offering food and water to travelers was a fundamental act of decency, a way to show respect for human life and vulnerability.
A Deeper Offense
The Moabites and Ammonites, descendants of Lot (Abraham's nephew), had a shared heritage with Israel. Yet, when the Israelites passed by their borders, they not only refused them basic provisions like bread and water but seemingly did so intentionally. This wasn't just a lack of generosity; it was a hostile act, turning their backs on kin in their time of need.
What happens when basic human decency is replaced by outright malice? This verse points to a chilling escalation of hostility, involving hired betrayal.
The offense didn't stop at withholding simple necessities. The Moabites (and allied Midianites) went a step further, actively seeking to harm Israel through supernatural means.
The Hire of Malice
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They hired Balaam, a foreign diviner, to curse the Israelites. This wasn't just a political maneuver; it was an attempt to invoke divine disfavor and destruction upon God's chosen people. It was a direct assault on God's covenant promises and His faithfulness.
A Spiritual Battle
This act reveals a deep-seated opposition to God's work in the world. By seeking to curse those whom God had blessed and set apart, they were essentially fighting against God Himself. This hostility, rooted in a refusal of basic humanity and escalating to spiritual warfare, marked them for severe judgment.
Understand the original words
arar · Hebrew Verb
To speak evil against or invoke divine judgment upon someone or something. In the Old Testament, it implies an authoritative declaration intended to bring harm or failure upon others.
berakah · Hebrew Noun
The bestowal of divine favor, prosperity, and spiritual well-being. It is the opposite of a curse and represents God’s active commitment to the welfare and success of His people.
ahav · Hebrew Verb
The steadfast, unconditional, and covenant-rooted affection of God toward His people. It is the motivation behind God’s redeeming actions, providence, and preservation of Israel.
This passage directly describes Balak, the king of Moab, hiring Balaam to curse Israel, directly connecting to the reason given in Deuteronomy for their exclusion.
Numbers 24:10This verse shows God turning Balaam's intended curse into a blessing, highlighting God's protective love for Israel even when enemies conspired against them.
Jeremiah 48:1-46This prophecy against Moab echoes the judgment of God for their past actions, including their refusal of hospitality and their involvement with Balaam.
Romans 11:28-29This New Testament passage speaks to God's irrevocable gifts and calling, providing a theological framework for understanding why God might enact lasting judgments on nations yet still preserve His ultimate purposes.
gillDeuteronomy 23:4: "Because 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."
Because they met you not with bread and with water,.... To supply them therewith, either as a gift, which was a piece of humanity to strangers and travellers, or rather to sell unto them, for on no other terms did the Israelites desire their bread and their water: in the way when ye…
calvinDeuteronomy 23:3-8: "An 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:"
Eo quod non exceperint vos cum pane et aqua in via, posteaquam egressi estis ex Aegypto, et quod mercede conduxerit adversum te Bileam filium Beor de Pethor e Mesopotamia Syriae, ut malediceret tibi.
Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse i…
While it mentions "bread and water," the core offense wasn't just a lack of hospitality, but a deliberate refusal to offer basic human kindness to people passing through their land, especially when God’s provision meant Israel didn't need it, yet the act itself would have been a sign of goodwill. This, combined with hiring Balaam to curse them, reveals a deep-seated animosity that went far beyond simple political disagreement.
This passage explains why Ammonites and Moabites are excluded from Israel's community, detailing their hostile actions during the Exodus journey. After refusing basic hospitality of bread and water, they even hired the sorcerer Balaam to curse Israel. These offenses, stemming from a shared lineage but demonstrating distinct malice, set them apart from other nations like Edom and Egypt who, despite their own transgressions, are treated with more leniency.
This passage explains why Ammonites and Moabites are excluded from Israel's community, detailing their hostile actions during the Exodus journey. After refusing basic hospitality of bread and water, they even hired the sorcerer Balaam to curse Israel. These offenses, stemming from a shared lineage but demonstrating distinct malice, set them apart from other nations like Edom and Egypt who, despite their own transgressions, are treated with more leniency.
"because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the way, when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. But the LORD your God would not listen to B…" — While it mentions "bread and water," the core offense wasn't just a lack of hospitality, but a deliberate refusal to offer basic human kindness to people passing through their land, especially when G…
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Last reviewed October 2026
