Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.) New Living Translation For they had not provided the Israelites with food and water in the wilderness. Instead, they hired Balaam to curse them, though our God turned the curse into a blessing. English Standard Version for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing. Berean Standard Bible because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing). King James Bible Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. New King James Version because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. New American Standard Bible because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. NASB 1995 because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. NASB 1977 because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. Legacy Standard Bible because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. Amplified Bible because they did not meet the Israelites with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. Yet our God turned the curse into a blessing. Christian Standard Bible because they did not meet the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam against them to curse them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing. Holman Christian Standard Bible because they did not meet the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam against them to curse them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing. American Standard Version because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Contemporary English Version This was because they had refused to give food and water to Israel and had hired Balaam to call down a curse on them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. English Revised Version because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. GOD'S WORD® Translation (After all, they didn't welcome the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam to curse the Israelites. But our God turned the curse into a blessing.) Good News Translation This was because the people of Ammon and Moab did not give food and water to the Israelites on their way out of Egypt. Instead, they paid money to Balaam to curse Israel, but our God turned the curse into a blessing. International Standard Version because they did not greet the Israelis with food and water, but instead hired Balaam to oppose them by cursing them, even though our God turned the curse into a blessing. Majority Standard Bible because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing). NET Bible for they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but instead had hired Balaam to curse them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into blessing.) New Heart English Bible because they did not meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: however our God turned the curse into a blessing. Webster's Bible Translation Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Baalam against them, that he should curse them: but our God turned the curse into a blessing. World English Bible because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them; however, our God turned the curse into a blessing. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbecause they have not come before the sons of Israel with bread and with water, and hire against them Balaam to revile them, and our God turns the reviling into a blessing. Young's Literal Translation because they have not come before the sons of Israel with bread and with water, and hire against them Balaam to revile them, and our God turneth the reviling into a blessing. Smith's Literal Translation For they anticipated not the sons of Israel with bread and with water, and he will hire Balaam against him to curse him: and God will turn the curse to blessing. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBecause they met not the children of Israel with bread and water: and they hired against them Balaam, to curse them, and our God turned the curse into blessing. Catholic Public Domain Version because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, and they hired Balaam against them, to curse them. But our God turned the curse into a blessing. New American Bible for they did not meet the Israelites with food and water, but they hired Balaam to curse them, though our God turned the curse into a blessing.” New Revised Standard Version because they did not meet the Israelites with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBecause they did not meet the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Baalam to curse them; but our God turned his curses into blessings. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because they did not meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, and they hired Balaam for themselves to curse them, and our God turned his curses into blessings.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them; howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Brenton Septuagint Translation because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them: but our God turned the curse into a blessing. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Foreigners Excluded1At that time the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people, and in it they found the passage stating that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, 2because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing). 3As soon as the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all of foreign descent.… Cross References Deuteronomy 23:3-5 No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. / For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. Numbers 22:5-6 he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. / So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.” Numbers 23:7-8 And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’ / How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced? Numbers 24:9-10 He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.” / Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. Joshua 24:9-10 Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, / but I would not listen to Balaam. So he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand. Micah 6:5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab counseled and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may acknowledge the righteousness of the LORD.’” Deuteronomy 23:6 You are not to seek peace or prosperity from them as long as you live. Numbers 22:12 But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.” Numbers 24:1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. Numbers 24:5-9 How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel! / They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters. / Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. ... Numbers 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. 2 Peter 2:15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. Jude 1:11 Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion. Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Treasury of Scripture Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: however, our God turned the curse into a blessing. Because. Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. hired Balaam. Numbers 22:3-6 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel… Joshua 24:9,10 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you: … our God. Numbers 23:8-11,18 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? … Numbers 24:5-10 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! … Deuteronomy 23:5 Nevertheless 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. Jump to Previous Balaam Blessing Bread Children Curse Food Hire Hired Howbeit However Israel Israelites Meet Met Revile Reviling Turned Turneth WaterJump to Next Balaam Blessing Bread Children Curse Food Hire Hired Howbeit However Israel Israelites Meet Met Revile Reviling Turned Turneth WaterNehemiah 13 1. Upon the reading of the law, separation is made from the mixed multitude.4. Nehemiah, at his return, causes the chambers to be cleansed. 10. He reforms the offices in the house of God; 15. the violation of the Sabbath; 23. and the marriages with the strange wives. because they had not met the Israelites with food and water This phrase refers to the actions of the Moabites and Ammonites during the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 23:3-4, it is recorded that these nations did not provide assistance to the Israelites, which was a customary act of hospitality in the ancient Near East. This lack of hospitality was significant because it demonstrated hostility and a refusal to support God's chosen people. The cultural expectation of providing for travelers was deeply ingrained, and failing to do so was seen as an act of enmity. but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing) Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahA Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and reforming the community according to God's laws. 2. Israelites The people of God who were returning from exile and re-establishing their identity and practices in Jerusalem. 3. Balaam A prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites, but God intervened and turned the curse into a blessing. 4. Moabites A neighboring nation to Israel, often in conflict with them, who did not support the Israelites during their journey. 5. God The sovereign deity of Israel who protects and blesses His people, even turning intended curses into blessings. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyGod is in control and can turn any situation, even those meant for harm, into a blessing for His people. Faithfulness in Adversity The Israelites faced opposition, but God's faithfulness ensured their protection and blessing. We can trust God in our own adversities. The Power of Blessing and Curse Words have power, but God's power is greater. He can nullify curses and transform them into blessings. Obedience to God's Commands Nehemiah's reforms remind us of the importance of adhering to God's laws and commands, which bring order and blessing. Community and Support The Moabites' refusal to support Israel highlights the importance of community and support among God's people.Verse 2. follows closely Deuteronomy 23:4, 5, merely substituting the third for the second person, and abbreviating a little. On the turning of Balaam's proposed curse into a blessing see Numbers 24:10. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew becauseכִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction they had not לֹ֧א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no met קִדְּמ֛וּ (qid·də·mū) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6923: To project, precede, to anticipate, hasten, meet the Israelites בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son with food בַּלֶּ֣חֶם (bal·le·ḥem) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain and water, וּבַמָּ֑יִם (ū·ḇam·mā·yim) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen but had hired וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר (way·yiś·kōr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7936: To hire Balaam בִּלְעָם֙ (bil·‘ām) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1109: Balaam -- a prophet to call down a curse לְקַֽלְל֔וֹ (lə·qal·lōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7043: To be slight, swift or trifling against them עָלָ֤יו (‘ā·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against (although our God אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative had turned וַיַּהֲפֹ֧ךְ (way·ya·hă·p̄ōḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert the curse הַקְּלָלָ֖ה (haq·qə·lā·lāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7045: Vilification into a blessing). לִבְרָכָֽה׃ (liḇ·rā·ḵāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1293: Benediction, prosperity Links Nehemiah 13:2 NIVNehemiah 13:2 NLT Nehemiah 13:2 ESV Nehemiah 13:2 NASB Nehemiah 13:2 KJV Nehemiah 13:2 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 13:2 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 13:2 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 13:2 French Bible Nehemiah 13:2 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 13:2 Because they didn't meet the children (Neh Ne) |
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