Deuteronomy 23:4-6
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It's easy to see this as just a list of offenses, but the verse highlights a crucial contrast: the Israelites' desperate journey out of Egypt, where basic hospitality was withheld. This wasn't just about missed snacks; it was a refusal to show basic human kindness to a struggling people, a harshness compounded by their later attempt to magically destroy Israel.
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. You shall not seek their peace or their prosperity all your days forever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land after escaping Egypt, and God is establishing rules for who can join the community. This verse explains why the Ammonites and Moabites are excluded, detailing their harsh treatment and malicious actions against Israel during their travels. Specifically, it highlights their failure to offer basic hospitality and their attempt to enlist a sorcerer to curse God's people.
Imagine traveling for days with no food or water, utterly exhausted. How would you feel if the people you encountered offered no help, not even for a price?
More Than Just a Meal
This verse highlights a profound failure of hospitality. The Israelites weren't asking for a handout; they were prepared to pay for bread and water (as noted in Deuteronomy 2:28-29). Their expectation was basic human decency, a kindness extended to travelers in ancient times, especially when public inns were non-existent.
What happens when nations not only refuse basic kindness but actively seek spiritual harm against you?
Against God's People, Against God Himself
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The second offense mentioned is even more sinister: hiring Balaam to curse the Israelites. This wasn't just political maneuvering; it was an attempt to invoke supernatural power against God's chosen people.
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.
shalom · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew term implies completeness, wholeness, safety, and general well-being. In a national context, it denotes a state of political, military, and social harmony and success.
tobah · Hebrew Noun
This term refers to the state of being well, success, or profit. It encompasses physical, material, and social prosperity, often understood as the blessing of God.
This passage directly shows Balaam being hired by the elders of Moab (acting with Midianites) to curse Israel, directly illustrating one of the key offenses mentioned in Deuteronomy.
Jeremiah 48:46This verse echoes the sentiment of judgment against Moab, likely stemming from historical grievances like the one described in Deuteronomy 23:4, showing a consistent divine perspective on their actions.
Judges 11:15-17This passage details Israel's plea to the king of Moab for passage, highlighting their offer to pay for necessities, and Moab's subsequent refusal, which directly relates to the 'not meeting with bread and water' charge in Deuteronomy.
Romans 11:22This New Testament passage speaks about God's severity and kindness towards different people, offering a theological lens to understand why nations like the Ammonites and Moabites faced judgment for specific actions, while others might experience different outcomes.
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…
It's easy to see this as just a list of offenses, but the verse highlights a crucial contrast: the Israelites' desperate journey out of Egypt, where basic hospitality was withheld. This wasn't just about missed snacks; it was a refusal to show basic human kindness to a struggling people, a harshness compounded by their later attempt to magically destroy Israel.
The Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land after escaping Egypt, and God is establishing rules for who can join the community. This verse explains why the Ammonites and Moabites are excluded, detailing their harsh treatment and malicious actions against Israel during their travels. Specifically, it highlights their failure to offer basic hospitality and their attempt to enlist a sorcerer to curse God's people.
The Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land after escaping Egypt, and God is establishing rules for who can join the community. This verse explains why the Ammonites and Moabites are excluded, detailing their harsh treatment and malicious actions against Israel during their travels. Specifically, it highlights their failure to offer basic hospitality and their attempt to enlist a sorcerer to curse God's people.
"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…" — It's easy to see this as just a list of offenses, but the verse highlights a crucial contrast: the Israelites' desperate journey out of Egypt, where basic hospitality was withheld. This wasn't just a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
