Deuteronômio 23
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Deuteronômio 23:1-6
23:1 "emasculated" This English word translated two Hebrew terms: "by crushing" ‒ BDB 194 "to wound or bruise" ‒ BDB 822, KB 954, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE This refers to (1) a male's testicles being removed or (2) the severing of the spermatic cord (possibly by crushing). ▣ "or has his male organ cut off" This refers to a severed penis (BDB 1050, "a place of pouring fluid"). This would be another way of describing a eunuch (cf. Matt. 19:12). These two damaged males are the first in a series of those who are excluded from attendance at the assemblies of Israel (i.e. events at the tabernacle). Their exclusion is symbolic of the purity and wholeness of God's people seen as a kingdom of priests (cf. Exod. 19:6 and Lev. 21:17-23; 22:17-25). Later in the OT many of these excluded ones are included (e.g. Ruth the Moabitess and the eunuch of Isa. 56:3-5 and Acts 8:26-40). It is also possible that this practice of damaging a male's sexual potential was part of Canaanite practices. Many of the seemingly unusual prohibitions in the Mosaic legislation were directed at a total break with Canaanite society and worship practices. ▣ "shall enter" This VERB (BDB 97, KB 112) is used several times in this chapter: "enter," Deut. 23:1, 2 (twice), 3 (twice), 8, 11 (twice), 20, 24, 25 "bring in," Deut. 23:18 Most usages relate to: people who may not enter (or attend tabernacle events) the congregation of Israel: damaged males illegitimate persons or their descendants Ammonites, Moabites, or their descendants people who may enter: Edomites Egyptians people who must leave the camp of Israel for a period of time: males with nocturnal emissions all Israelites to relieve themselves ▣ "the assembly of the Lord" The phrase "assembly of the Lord" is used of the gathered covenant people of YHWH for worship beginning at Mt. Horeb/Sinai: Exod. 12:6, "the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel" Lev. 16:17, "all the assembly of Israel" Num. 16:3, "all the congregation," "the assembly of the Lord" Num. 20:4, "the Lord's assembly" Deut. 5:22, "all your assembly" Deut. 9:10; 10:4; 18:16, "on the day of assembly" Deut. 23:1,2,3,8, "assembly of the Lord" Deut. 31:30, "all the assembly of Israel" Josh. 8:33, "the people of Israel" This phrase represents: worshiping Israel Mt. Sinai/Horeb the tabernacle The Jewish Study Bible, p. 418, based on Jdg. 20:2, asserts that it refers to a leadership council or governing body (cf. Num. 16:3; 20:4) These excluded ones still have the legal rights of "resident aliens" spelled out in Exod. 22:21; Lev. 19:9-10,33-34; 23:22; Deut. 1:16; 5:14; 27:19. The Septuagint translated the Hebrew term qahal (BDB 874) as ekklēsia, from which we get the English word, "church." Jesus and the NT authors chose this term to communicate that the New Covenant people of God are to be identified as an extension of the Old Covenant people of God (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-38; Gal. 6:16; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6). SPECIAL TOPIC: CHURCH (ekklēsia) 23:2 "illegitimate birth" This (BDB 561) is defined as either a child conceived out of wedlock an incident of incest (cf. Lev. 18:6-18; Jewish Study Bible, p. 419) a child of a mixed marriage (Jewish and pagan, cf. Ezra 9:2; Neh. 13:23-25; Zech. 9:6) The Hebrew word best fits option #2. 23:2,3 "the tenth generation" Note the parallel structure in the phrase, "shall (not) ever enter" in Deut. 23:2 and 3. The number ten is idiomatic for completeness or forever. SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #5 23:3 "No Ammonite or Moabite" These nations were the result of incest mentioned in Deut. 23:2. Some rabbis say that Gen. 19:30-38 (nations from Lot's incestuous relations with his daughters) shows that this applies only to the men, thereby getting around Ruth's being a Moabite and a progenitor of King David. However, beyond incest, the other specific reasons for their being rejected is spelled out in Deut. 23:4-6. 23:4 "Balaam" This prophet was not a descendant of Abraham, but knew YHWH, as did Melchizedek and Job, who were also not descendants of Abraham. Balaam's story is recounted in Numbers 22-24. See full notes online. 23:5 "because the Lord your God loves you" This is a recurrent theme in Deuteronomy: Deut. 4:37, "He loved your fathers" Deut. 7:7-8, "the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers" Deut. 7:12-13, "He will love you and bless you and multiply you" (if obedient) Deut. 10:15, "Yet on your fathers did the Lord set His affection to love them" Deut. 33:3, "He loves the people(s)" YHWH's actions are based on His choice, not Israel's goodness (cf. Deut. 7:7-8). He chose Abraham to choose a world. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN SPECIAL TOPIC: BLESSING (OT) 23:6 "their peace or their prosperity" This may be a reference to (1) treaties or alliances (e.g. Ezra 9:12) or (2) prayers on their behalf (e.g. Jer. 14:11).
Deuteronômio 23:7-8
23:7 "detest" This VERB (BDB 1073, KB 1765, Piel IMPERFECT, used twice) means "abhor," from the NOUN "abomination" (e.g. Deut. 7:26). SPECIAL TOPIC: ABOMINATION ▣ "Edomite, for he is your brother" Rashi says the difference between Deut. 23:3 and 7 is that those countries listed in Deut. 23:3 caused Israel to sin (cf. Gen. 36). The nation of Edom is descended from Jacob's brother Esau (cf. Gen. 25:24-26; 36:1). SPECIAL TOPIC: EDOM AND ISRAEL 23:8 "The sons of the third generation" The wait was possibly due to the time necessary to fully integrate with Israeli society and worship practices.
Deuteronômio 23:9
23:9 Israel was involved in "holy war" (cf. chapter 20). YHWH fought for them, but they must remain "ceremonially" pure for YHWH's presence to remain with them (cf. Deut. 23:14; Josh. 5:13-15).
Deuteronômio 23:10-11
23:10 "a nocturnal emission" The Hebrew is "a happening or event at night" (BDB 899 CONSTRUCT BDB 538). It could include other types of bodily fluids such as urination and diarrhea, etc. Any leakage of bodily fluids makes one ceremonially unclean (cf. Leviticus 15). Remember, this has to do with ceremonial cleanliness, not sin. 23:11 "sundown" Israel starts a new day at sundown, following the pattern in Genesis 1.
Deuteronômio 23:12-14
23:12 "a place" Hebrew has the term "hand" (BDB 388, #3,e), which possibly referred to a marker to designate a general area for the purpose of excrement (BDB 844). 23:13 NASB, NET "a spade" "an implement" NRSV, NJB "a trowel" "a stick" "spike" LXX, Peshitta "pin" or "peg" The Hebrew term (BDB 450) refers to some type of digging instrument. Whether it was a military weapon used for two purposes or a separate item such as a tent peg carried for this one purpose is uncertain. ▣ "tools" NKJV, TEV, NJB, NET "equipment" "utensils" "gear" "trowel" "belt" "weapons" The term's (BDB 24) meaning is uncertain. The Arabic means "possessions." In context it seems to be a military weapon which was also used as a digging tool involved in the ceremonial and hygiene covering of excrement. It is used only here in the entire OT. 23:14 "the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp" This is a possible reference to the Levites carrying the Ark of the Covenant (cf. Exod. 25:10-22), which took the place of the shekinah cloud (e.g. Exod. 13:21-22; 14:19-20; 16:10; 19:9,16; Lev. 16:2,13) as the symbol of the divine Presence after Israel crossed the Jordan. The rabbis later took this verse literally and ruled that no manure could be used in the gardens in the city of Jerusalem. SPECIAL TOPIC: PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE SPECIAL TOPIC: RABBINICAL HERMENEUTICAL TECHNIQUES SPECIAL TOPIC: SHEKINAH ▣ "anything indecent" This is a CONSTRUCT of "word" (BDB 182 IV, #6) with "nakedness" (BDB 788, #2, cf. Deut. 24:1). In this context it refers to ceremonial cleanness related to bodily fluids (cf. Leviticus 15). It seems to be a way to teach Israel that YHWH's presence and power with them must be matched by their "holiness" and constant vigil.
Deuteronômio 23:15-16
23:15 "You shall not hand over to his master a slave" The central interpretive question is the nationality of a slave and of his master. To whom does this exactly refer? This must refer to a foreign slave or a foreign slave-master (or both). This does clearly show Israel's understanding that a slave is more than an animated tool. YHWH allows servitude under certain restrictions and limits, but He also cares for the powerless, helpless, and vulnerable! 23:16 Notice the repeated freedoms YHWH demands for the escaped foreign slave: "live in your midst" ‒ BDB 442, KB 444 "the place which he shall choose" ‒ BDB 103, KB 119, Qal IMPERFECT "where it pleases him" ‒ BDB 373 II "you shall not mistreat him" ‒ BDB 413, KB 416, Hiphil IMPERFECT What freedom and protection! All other ANE law codes demanded the return (and with it probable death) of runaway slaves. The Mosaic covenant focuses on the rights and protection of the weak, powerless, socially ostracized, and poor. The catch phrase is "the widow, the orphan, and the alien" (cf. Deut. 10:18; 14:29; 16:11; 24:17,19; 26:12,13; 27:19).
Deuteronômio 23:17-18
23:17 "cult prostitute" This is a FEMININE form of the term "holy one" (BDB 873 I). It shows the presence of cultic prostitution in Canaan (cf. Exod. 34:15-16; 2 Kgs. 23:7). However, there is little hard archaeological evidence of this in Canaan (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 1124, #6). If there was cultic prostitution and these abominations developed also within Israeli society, it makes them all the more evil (cf. Hosea 4:11-14; Luke 12:48). ▣ "cult prostitute" This is a MASCULINE form of the term "holy one" (BDB 873 I). In this period a male prostitute is called "a dog" (cf. Deut. 23:18). 23:18 "the hire of a harlot" This is a different word from Deut. 23:17 (cf. Hosea 9:1). This is the common term for a fertility worship partner (BDB 1072). There is some debate whether the terms for cult prostitution in Deut. 23:17 are parallel to this term of Deut. 23:18 or if Deut. 23:18 refers to non-cultic prostitution (BDB 1072). In many texts there is a distinction, but here the parallelism seems purposeful. The wages charged are attempted to be given back to the deity (cf. Micah 1:7). YHWH refuses all revenue from sexual fees! ▣ "the wages of a dog" This is the fee charged by a male prostitute (possibly used in Rev. 22:15). YHWH rejects all fertility worship and its income! ▣ "abomination" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ABOMINATION and SPECIAL TOPIC: DEATH PENALTY IN ISRAEL
Deuteronômio 23:19-20
23:19 "You shall not charge interest" The Hebrew is literally "something bitten off" (BDB 675). This is also discussed in Exod. 22:25 and Lev. 25:35-37. 23:20 There was a different set of guidelines between covenant partners and Gentiles (BDB 648, cf. Deut. 14:21; 15:3). ▣ "so that the Lord your God may bless you in all that you undertake" Notice YHWH's blessing, which was meant to be a sign which attracted the world to Him, was conditioned on Israel's covenant obedience. The old covenant, like the new covenant, was grace-based, but human performance of the covenant obligations was expected. God wants His people to reflect His character to a spiritually lost and needy world. New Covenant salvation is absolutely free in the finished work of Christ, but it too has conditions and expectations (i.e. repentance, faith, obedience, perseverance). The goal of knowing God is living in His revealed will and character. It is interesting that several of these "blessing texts" occur in the context of Israel helping the poor and needy (e.g. Deut. 14:29; 24:19). SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP SPECIAL TOPIC: ALMSGIVING SPECIAL TOPIC: HUNGER SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN
Deuteronômio 23:21-23
23:21 "a vow" The laws on vows (BDB 623, KB 674, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. Deut. 12:11,17) are discussed in Leviticus 27 and Numbers 30 (Nazarite vows are described in Numbers 6). It was a promise made to YHWH based on certain events and circumstances. This phrase has: a negated Piel IMPERFECT of BDB 29, KB 24 a Piel INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT of BDB 1023, KB 1532 If you make a vow, fulfill it in a timely manner! ▣ "shall not delay to pay it" The rabbis later interpreted this time as "not past three festivals" (i.e. one year). SPECIAL TOPIC: RABBINICAL HERMENEUTICS ▣ "will surely require it of you" This phrase is emphatic (INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB of the same root, BDB 205, KB 233). YHWH takes all vows in His name seriously (cf. Eccl. 5:1-7). 23:22-23 This shows the wisdom of not making rash vows (e.g. Judges 11). This does show the Hebrews' view of the power and importance of the spoken word (e.g. Genesis 1; Isa. 55:9-11; John 1:1). YHWH takes what we say in His name seriously (cf. Exod. 20:7, i.e. marriage vow and other promises made in His name; [i.e. "from your lips"]). Words have consequences (cf. Levticus 27; Rom. 10:13). SPECIAL TOPIC: CALL ON HIS NAME
Deuteronômio 23:24
23:24-25 "you" This refers to the needy of the land, the orphan, the widow, the alien, and the poor. This was part of the law of gleaning. It is mentioned in several texts (cf. Lev. 19:9-10; 23:22; Deut. 24:21; Jdg. 8:2; 20:45; Ruth 2; Isa. 17:6; 24:13; Jer. 6:9; 49:9; Mic. 7:1). It shows both YHWH's care for the poor and His ownership of the harvest. 23:24 "until you are fully satisfied" This is a combination of "according to your desire" (BDB 659) and "your fill" (BDB 959, cf. Exod. 16:3; Lev. 25:19; Ruth 2:18; Ps. 78:25; Prov. 13:25). It speaks, not of eating enough just to get by, but of eating all you want. What a marvelous provision for the poor, needy, and alien passing by. There is also no limit of how many times one can return, but they cannot take extra with them (i.e. to sell or eat later, v. 29).
Deuteronômio 23:25
23:25 Verses 24 and 25 both show that the needy can eat all they want, but they cannot take any of the crop away with them for later consumption or sale (e.g. Matt. 12:1-8; Mark. 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5). YHWH cares for both the poor and the rights of the farmers. This is an aspect of YHWH providing "daily" needs.