Log inSign up

Nehemiah 13 · a question people ask

"An Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God forever" (13:1). What about Ruth, who was from Moab?

In the text

Nehemiah 13 doesn't name Ruth or take up the question. It says what was read and what was done. What "was found written" (13:1) sits beside the Law's "An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the LORD’s assembly; even to the tenth generation shall no one belonging to them enter into the LORD’s assembly forever" (Deuteronomy 23:3), with the same two reasons, the bread and water and Balaam (13:2; Deuteronomy 23:4-5). The words aren't all the same: 13:1 says "the assembly of God" where Deuteronomy says "the LORD’s assembly", and 13:1 has no "tenth generation". What the people did is told in one line: "they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel" (13:3). The chapter doesn't say who the mixed multitude were. In Hebrew, mixed multitude is erev, which Brown-Driver-Briggs gives as "mixture, mixed company"; it is the word in "A mixed multitude went up also with them" (Exodus 12:38). How Ruth, one of "the women of Moab" (Ruth 1:4), is held together with Deuteronomy 23:3 is taken up in Ruth 1's honest question on a Moabite in the LORD's assembly, which sets out the main views with their verses. It isn't repeated here, and these notes don't pick among its views.

The verses

“On that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and it was found written in it that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God forever, 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. It came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.”
Nehemiah 13:1-3 · World English Bible
“An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the LORD’s assembly; even to the tenth generation shall no one belonging to them enter into the LORD’s assembly forever, because they didn’t 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. Nevertheless the LORD your God wouldn’t listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because the LORD your God loved you.”
Deuteronomy 23:3-5 · World English Bible
“A mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock.”
Exodus 12:38 · World English Bible
“They took for themselves wives of the women of Moab. The name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there about ten years.”
Ruth 1:4 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Nehemiah 13

Nehemiah 13: Remember me, my God, for good

Nehemiah doesn't end with the wall. After Tobiah's room is cleared, the Levites' portions given again and the doors shut before the Sabbath, the book's last words are a prayer, "Remember me, my God, for good" (13:31), and the "good deeds" he asks God not to wipe out (13:14) are chesed, the word he uses for God's own "loving kindness" (13:22).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekNehemiah 13 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Nehemiah 13

All questions about Nehemiah →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions