Nehemiah 13:23-24
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Nehemiah's careful observation, "saw I the Jews," highlights that he's not speaking of a general failing, but of specific people he’s personally witnessed transgressing a solemn vow. This wasn't a blind spot for him; he was actively looking and noting those who had failed to uphold the covenant they'd made.
In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nehemiah has just finished dealing with the desecration of the Sabbath and the misuse of temple provisions, and now he turns his attention to another serious violation. He discovers that some Jewish men have married women from foreign nations like Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, despite a recent covenant to avoid such unions. This discovery leads Nehemiah to confront these men and take decisive action to address the issue and its potential impact on their religious and national identity.
Nehemiah, upon returning to Jerusalem, finds a troubling pattern re-emerging. It wasn't just a few stray individuals; it was a noticeable group. What made these marriages so problematic?
Nehemiah, shortly after a national renewal of their covenant vows, discovers that some Jewish men have married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. These nations were not part of the original covenant people and, in fact, were often adversaries. The Law explicitly forbade intermarriage with certain surrounding nations to protect Israel's spiritual purity and distinct identity, preventing them from being led into idolatry and corrupt practices. This wasn't about ethnicity for its own sake, but about preserving a people set apart for God.
These marriages were particularly egregious because they happened after the people had just reaffirmed their commitment to follow God's Law. It shows how quickly and easily old, harmful patterns can resurface, especially when they seem convenient or personally desirable.
It might seem like just a personal choice, but these marriages carried deep spiritual consequences for the community. What was the core issue Nehemiah saw?
The primary concern wasn't simply the nationality of the wives, but the spiritual influence they represented. The people of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab were idolaters. Allowing these marriages meant inviting foreign religious practices and worldviews into the very heart of the families of God's chosen people. This posed a significant risk of leading the next generation away from worshipping the one true God.
Nehemiah recognized that these unions could lead to the adoption of foreign languages, customs, and ultimately, a dilution of their distinct identity as a people called to be holy. This spiritual 'drift' threatened the covenant community's ability to remain faithful and fulfill its unique purpose.
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This verse highlights Nehemiah's return to a Jerusalem already struggling with intermarriage, showing how quickly reforms can be challenged and how vigilance is required to uphold God's ways.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
Ezra, a scribe and priest, leads a group of exiles back to Jerusalem and institutes religious reforms, including addressing the issue of mixed marriages.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah Oversees Jerusalem's Walls Rebuilt
Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem and, despite significant opposition, successfully leads the people in rebuilding the city walls in just 52 days.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah Reforms and Covenant Renewal
Following the wall's completion, Nehemiah and the people re-commit themselves to God's Law, addressing various social and religious issues.
c. 444 BC— this verse
Nehemiah Addresses Mixed Marriages
Nehemiah confronts the widespread issue of Jews marrying women from surrounding nations like Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, seeing it as a violation of God's commands.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah Enforces Purity Laws
Nehemiah takes decisive action against those who married foreign women, including removing offenders and restoring proper worship practices.
This passage explicitly forbids intermarriage with surrounding nations, highlighting the deep-seated concern in the Law about maintaining Israel's distinct identity and covenant relationship with God.
Ezra 9:1-2This chapter recounts a very similar situation shortly before Nehemiah's time, showing that the problem of mixed marriages was a persistent issue that threatened the spiritual purity of the returned exiles.
1 Corinthians 7:39The New Testament echo of this concern is the admonition for believers to marry only 'in the Lord,' underscoring the enduring principle of seeking godly partnerships to preserve spiritual integrity.
Malachi 2:11-12This prophecy condemns the betrayal of the covenant through such marriages, associating it with profaning the Lord's holiness and predicting severe divine judgment, mirroring Nehemiah's own strong reaction.
ellicottNehemiah 13:23: "In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:"
(23-29) The mixed marriages again. (23) Saw I Jews.—The punishment shows that these were exceptional cases; but the transgression was of the most flagrant kind (see Nehemiah 13:1).
pulpitNehemiah 13:23: "In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:"
Verse 23. - In those days. i.e. "About this same time." Compare ver. 15. Saw I Jews. Rather, "looked I after the Jews." There is a reference to the first three verses of the present chapter, which had introduced the subject of the mixed marriages. Nehemiah wishes to put on record the part which he had taken in the matter, and begins by observing that it had not escaped him - he had had his e…
Nehemiah's careful observation, "saw I the Jews," highlights that he's not speaking of a general failing, but of specific people he’s personally witnessed transgressing a solemn vow. This wasn't a blind spot for him; he was actively looking and noting those who had failed to uphold the covenant they'd made.
Nehemiah has just finished dealing with the desecration of the Sabbath and the misuse of temple provisions, and now he turns his attention to another serious violation. He discovers that some Jewish men have married women from foreign nations like Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, despite a recent covenant to avoid such unions. This discovery leads Nehemiah to confront these men and take decisive action to address the issue and its potential impact on their religious and national identity.
Nehemiah has just finished dealing with the desecration of the Sabbath and the misuse of temple provisions, and now he turns his attention to another serious violation. He discovers that some Jewish men have married women from foreign nations like Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, despite a recent covenant to avoid such unions. This discovery leads Nehemiah to confront these men and take decisive action to address the issue and its potential impact on their religious and national identity.
"In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people." — Nehemiah's careful observation, "saw I the Jews," highlights that he's not speaking of a general failing, but of specific people he’s personally witnessed transgressing a solemn vow. This wasn't a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
