Nehemiah 13:27
Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights how quickly people can flip from accepting serious sin to questioning the very authority that calls them out. The speaker's indignant question, "Shall we then hearken unto you?" reveals a defensive posture, suggesting they're being asked to abandon their "great evil" rather than merely permit it. It points to a disturbing willingness to "transgress against our God" for the sake of personal preference, even in the face of clear warnings.
Nehemiah has just returned to Jerusalem and discovered widespread disregard for God's laws, including the Sabbath being used for commerce and, more critically, many Israelites marrying people from foreign nations. He’s confronting the leaders about these marriages, highlighting the disastrous example of Solomon and demanding they stop this practice and uphold God's covenant.
We often think of treason as a political act, betraying a nation. But this verse calls marrying foreign women an act of treason against God Himself. What does that even mean?
Nehemiah confronts the people, not just about a social or cultural issue, but about a profound spiritual betrayal.
The Heart of the Matter
When the people of Israel were commanded to separate themselves from surrounding nations, it wasn't about ethnic purity for its own sake. It was about spiritual protection. These foreign women, and their religious practices, were seen as direct gateways to idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant.
A 'Great Evil'
Marrying foreign women was considered 'great evil' and 'treachery' because it meant:
Nehemiah frames this not as a personal preference, but as a direct offense against the King of Kings.
This verse alludes to a well-known biblical figure. Why would Nehemiah bring up Solomon's downfall in this argument?
Nehemiah uses the tragic example of King Solomon to underscore the severity of the people's actions. Solomon, a man renowned for his wisdom and devotion (at least initially), fell into grievous sin precisely through marrying foreign women.
A Wisdom Lost
Understand the original words
ma'al · Hebrew Verb
Faithlessness or betrayal, often used in the context of covenant breaking. It implies acting with deceit or disloyalty against God or one's neighbor.
The verse captures Nehemiah's passionate response to priests and nobles who had resumed marrying foreign women, a practice previously condemned by Ezra and a direct violation of the covenant. This highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain religious and national identity in post-exilic Judah.
c. 538 BC
First Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's decree, a large contingent of Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem, beginning the process of rebuilding the Temple and their community.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return and Reforms
Ezra the scribe returned to Jerusalem with a significant group, leading a spiritual revival and enforcing strict adherence to the Mosaic Law, including the controversial command to divorce foreign wives.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah's First Mission
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, secured permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls, facing significant opposition from surrounding peoples.
c. 433 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Second Mission
Returning to Jerusalem after a period in Persia, Nehemiah found that the people, including priests, had reverted to corrupt practices, including intermarriage with foreigners and Sabbath-breaking.
This passage directly forbids intermarriage with foreign nations, establishing the foundational principle Nehemiah is upholding and explaining why it's a serious transgression against God.
Ezra 10:10-11This shows a similar crisis where Ezra confronted the people for marrying foreign women, leading to a public confession and commitment to separate from them, mirroring Nehemiah's actions and the people's potential response.
1 Kings 11:1-3This highlights the tragic fall of Solomon, God's wisest king, due to his foreign wives, serving as a potent warning against the very danger Nehemiah is confronting and illustrating the 'great evil' involved.
Malachi 2:11This prophetic passage condemns the 'treacherous' act of marrying the daughter of a foreign god, directly linking such marriages to acting faithlessly against God and profaning His covenant.
clarkeNehemiah 13:27: "Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?"
Shall we then hearken unto you - If God spared not Solomon, who was so much beloved of Him, shall we spare you, who by your conduct are bringing down God's judgments upon Israel?
pooleNehemiah 13:27: "Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?"
Shall we then hearken unto you? shall we justify our action by permitting or not punishing it? God forbid.
This verse highlights how quickly people can flip from accepting serious sin to questioning the very authority that calls them out. The speaker's indignant question, "Shall we then hearken unto you?" reveals a defensive posture, suggesting they're being asked to abandon their "great evil" rather than merely permit it. It points to a disturbing willingness to "transgress against our God" for the sake of personal preference, even in the face of clear warnings.
Nehemiah has just returned to Jerusalem and discovered widespread disregard for God's laws, including the Sabbath being used for commerce and, more critically, many Israelites marrying people from foreign nations. He’s confronting the leaders about these marriages, highlighting the disastrous example of Solomon and demanding they stop this practice and uphold God's covenant.
Nehemiah has just returned to Jerusalem and discovered widespread disregard for God's laws, including the Sabbath being used for commerce and, more critically, many Israelites marrying people from foreign nations. He’s confronting the leaders about these marriages, highlighting the disastrous example of Solomon and demanding they stop this practice and uphold God's covenant.
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The People's Choice
By referencing Solomon, Nehemiah is saying: 'Look at the wisest, most blessed king Israel ever had. Even he couldn't withstand the corrupting influence of these relationships. Are you so foolish to think you can? Are you willing to repeat his mistakes and bring disaster upon yourselves?'
It’s a stark reminder that even those close to God can be led astray by compromise.
This wasn't just a random person making a bad choice; it involved the spiritual leadership of Israel. What does that tell us?
The passage reveals that one of the individuals encouraging this disobedience was the grandson of the High Priest, Eliashib. This man had even married the daughter of Sanballat, a bitter enemy of God's people and Nehemiah's chief adversary.
Leadership Corrupted
This shows that spiritual authority carries immense responsibility, and its failure has far-reaching consequences.
"Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?”" — This verse highlights how quickly people can flip from accepting serious sin to questioning the very authority that calls them out. The speaker's indignant question, "Shall we then hearken unto you?"…
