Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women?” New Living Translation How could you even think of committing this sinful deed and acting unfaithfully toward God by marrying foreign women?” English Standard Version Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?” Berean Standard Bible Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?” Berean Literal Bible And to you⁺ shall we listen to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God by settling with foreign women?” King James Bible Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? New King James Version Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women?” New American Standard Bible Has it not then been reported about you that you have committed all this great evil by acting unfaithfully against our God, by marrying foreign women?” NASB 1995 “Do we then hear about you that you have committed all this great evil by acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?” NASB 1977 “Do we then hear about you that you have committed all this great evil by acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?” Legacy Standard Bible Do we then hear about you that you have done all this great evil by acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?” Amplified Bible Do we then hear about you that you have done all this great evil, acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign (pagan) women?” Berean Annotated Bible Must we now hear that you⁺ too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God {Elohim} by marrying foreign women? Christian Standard Bible Why then should we hear about you doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Why then should we hear about you doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?” American Standard Version Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women? Contemporary English Version So we will obey you and not rebel against our God by marrying foreign women. English Revised Version Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying strange women? GOD'S WORD® Translation Should we follow your example, commit such a serious crime against our God, and be unfaithful to him by marrying non-Israelite women?" Good News Translation Are we then to follow your example and disobey our God by marrying foreign women?" International Standard Version Should we listen to you and do all of this terrible evil by transgressing against our God to marry foreign wives?" NET Bible Should we then in your case hear that you do all this great evil, thereby being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign wives?" New Heart English Bible Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?" Webster's Bible Translation Shall we then hearken to you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying foreign wives? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMust we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?” World English Bible Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd do we listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God, to settle strange women?” Berean Literal Bible And to you⁺ shall we listen to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God by settling with foreign women?” Young's Literal Translation And to you do we hearken to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God, to settle strange women?' Smith's Literal Translation And to you shall we hear to do all this great evil to transgress against our God to cause strange women to dwell. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd shall we also be disobedient and do all this great evil to transgress against our God, and marry strange women? Catholic Public Domain Version So how could we disobey and do all this great evil, so that we would transgress against our God, and take foreign wives?” New American Bible Must it also be heard of you that you have done this same terrible evil, betraying our God by marrying foreign women?” New Revised Standard Version Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd this thing was reported to you, and yet you committed this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying foreign wives. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the word was made heard to you, and you did this great evil to deny our God and to marry foreign women.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to break faith with our God in marrying foreign women?' Brenton Septuagint Translation So we will not hearken to you to do all this evil, to break covenant with our God, - to marry strange wives. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Intermarriage Forbidden…26Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. 27 Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?” 28Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me.… Cross References Must we now hear Deuteronomy 13:12-14 If, regarding one of the cities the LORD your God is giving you to inhabit, you hear it said / that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known), / then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you, 1 Samuel 2:24 No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people. that you too are doing Ezra 9:1-2 After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. / Indeed, the Israelites have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has been mixed with the people of the land. And the leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!” 1 Kings 11:4 For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been. Malachi 2:11 Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. all this terrible evil Deuteronomy 9:18 Then I fell down before the LORD for forty days and forty nights, as I had done the first time. I did not eat bread or drink water because of all the sin you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD and provoking Him to anger. Joshua 7:15 The one who is caught with the things devoted to destruction must be burned, along with all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and committed an outrage in Israel.’” and acting unfaithfully against our God Joshua 7:1 The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites. 2 Chronicles 12:2 In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, because they had been unfaithful to the LORD, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem Ezra 10:2 Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, said to Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of this, there is hope for Israel. by marrying foreign women?” Deuteronomy 7:3-4 Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you. Exodus 34:15-16 Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. / And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same. 1 Kings 11:1-2 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. Judges 3:5-6 Thus the Israelites continued to live among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And they took the daughters of these people in marriage, gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” … 1 Corinthians 7:39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord. Treasury of Scripture Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? Shall we then. 1 Samuel 30:24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. to transgress. Ezra 10:2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. Jump to Previous Act Acting Break Committed Evil Faith Foreign Great Hear Hearken Marrying Protest Settle Sinning Strange Terrible Transgress Treacherously Trespass Unfaithful Unfaithfully Wickedness Wives WomenJump to Next Act Acting Break Committed Evil Faith Foreign Great Hear Hearken Marrying Protest Settle Sinning Strange Terrible Transgress Treacherously Trespass Unfaithful Unfaithfully Wickedness Wives WomenNehemiah 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. Must we now hear This phrase indicates a sense of urgency and disappointment. Nehemiah, as a leader, is addressing the community with a rhetorical question that underscores the gravity of the situation. The use of "now" suggests that this is a recurring issue, reflecting the ongoing struggle of the Israelites to maintain their covenantal purity. This echoes the earlier reforms Nehemiah had implemented and the promises made by the people in Nehemiah 10:30. that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women? Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahThe central figure in the book, Nehemiah was a Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and reforming the community. He was a man of prayer and action, deeply committed to God's laws. 2. Foreign Women Refers to the non-Israelite women whom the Jewish men had married. This was against the Mosaic Law, which prohibited intermarriage with pagan nations to prevent idolatry and cultural assimilation. 3. Jerusalem The city where Nehemiah's reforms took place. It was the spiritual and political center for the Jewish people, and its restoration was vital for their identity and worship. 4. The Jewish Community The people of Israel who had returned from exile and were struggling to maintain their distinct identity and faithfulness to God's covenant. 5. The Mosaic Law The body of laws given to Moses, which included commands against intermarriage with pagan nations to preserve the purity of worship and community. Teaching Points Faithfulness to God's CommandsNehemiah's rebuke highlights the importance of adhering to God's laws, especially in relationships that can influence spiritual fidelity. Community Accountability The passage underscores the role of community leaders in holding others accountable to God's standards, ensuring the community remains faithful. The Danger of Compromise Marrying foreign women symbolized a broader issue of compromising with surrounding cultures, which can lead to spiritual decline. The Importance of Repentance Nehemiah's actions call for a return to God's ways, emphasizing the need for repentance and reform when we stray. Guarding Against Idolatry The prohibition against intermarriage was to prevent idolatry, reminding us to guard our hearts against anything that might lead us away from God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 13:27?2. How does Nehemiah 13:27 address the issue of intermarriage with foreign nations? 3. What lessons can we learn from Nehemiah's response to disobedience in Nehemiah 13:27? 4. How does Nehemiah 13:27 connect with Deuteronomy's warnings against foreign marriages? 5. In what ways can we apply Nehemiah's zeal for purity in our lives? 6. How does Nehemiah 13:27 emphasize the importance of obeying God's commandments today? 7. Why did Nehemiah oppose intermarriage with foreign women in Nehemiah 13:27? 8. How does Nehemiah 13:27 reflect on the purity of faith? 9. What historical context influenced Nehemiah's stance in Nehemiah 13:27? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 13? 11. What does the Bible say about interfaith marriage? 12. What are the key themes in Zechariah's prophecies? 13. What does the Bible say about interfaith marriage? 14. Did God create the realm known as hell? What Does Nehemiah 13:27 Mean Must we now hearNehemiah’s opening words drip with grief and disbelief. After leading the people in covenant renewal (Nehemiah 10), he returns from Persia only to “hear” fresh reports of compromise. Scripture often treats sinful rumors as an alarm bell: “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you” (1 Corinthians 5:1). The mere fact that the news has reached him signals public scandal, like Eli confronting his sons: “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings” (1 Samuel 2:23). Hearing persistent sin after clear teaching shows hearts resisting God’s word rather than ignorance. that you too Nehemiah singles out leaders and ordinary people alike—“you too”—not outsiders. Just as Paul rebukes Jews who “teach others” yet fail to obey themselves (Romans 2:21), spiritual insiders are held to the highest standard (James 3:1). Ezra had faced this very failure only years earlier (Ezra 10:10–12). The repetition of sin among the same covenant community intensifies the offense. are doing all this terrible evil The phrase stacks words to underline gravity. Scripture never labels disobedience lightly; idolatry and covenant-breaking are called “evil in the sight of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 33:2). • Evil is never isolated—small compromises snowball (Judges 2:11–13). • What the world might view as cultural blending, God calls “terrible” when it opposes His revealed will (Deuteronomy 17:3–4). and acting unfaithfully against our God “Unfaithfully” recalls marriage imagery between God and His people. When Judah mixed worship, the prophets cried, “They have been unfaithful to the LORD” (2 Chronicles 29:6). Malachi, Nehemiah’s contemporary, echoes: “Judah has acted treacherously… marrying the daughter of a foreign god” (Malachi 2:11). Faithfulness is personal; sin wounds a relationship, not just a rule. by marrying foreign women? The issue is spiritual, not racial. God forbade intermarriage with nations that would “turn your sons away from following Me” (Deuteronomy 7:3–4). Earlier the people vowed, “We will not give our daughters in marriage to the peoples of the land” (Nehemiah 10:30), yet they broke that pledge. • Solomon’s downfall (1 Kings 11:1–4) illustrates the danger. • Ezra tore his garments for the same sin (Ezra 9:1–3). • The principle continues: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Marrying outside the faith invites divided devotion, threatens family worship, and models disobedience to children. summary Nehemiah’s question packs a fivefold punch: How can God’s own people, who heard the truth, repeat known sin, multiply evil, break covenant, and marry in ways that lure hearts from Him? The verse reminds believers today that public testimony matters, leaders are not exempt, sin is never minor, unfaithfulness grieves a personal God, and marriage must champion shared faith to guard generational loyalty to Christ. Verse 27. - Shall we then hearken unto you? Shall we give way to you, and adopt the practice which you recommend, thus transgressing against God, and provoking him to destroy us? Surely not. Solomon's example is enough to deter us.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Why should we now hearהֲנִשְׁמַ֗ע (hă·niš·ma‘) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently that you too are doing לַעֲשֹׂת֙ (la·‘ă·śōṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6213: To do, make all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every this הַזֹּ֔את (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, terrible הַגְּדוֹלָה֙ (hag·gə·ḏō·w·lāh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent evil הָרָעָ֤ה (hā·rā·‘āh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil and acting unfaithfully לִמְעֹ֖ל (lim·‘ōl) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 4603: To cover up, to act covertly, treacherously against our God בֵּֽאלֹהֵ֑ינוּ (bê·lō·hê·nū) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative by marrying לְהֹשִׁ֖יב (lə·hō·šîḇ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry foreign נָכְרִיּֽוֹת׃ (nā·ḵə·rî·yō·wṯ) Adjective - feminine plural Strong's 5237: Foreign, alien women?” נָשִׁ֥ים (nā·šîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female Links Nehemiah 13:27 NIVNehemiah 13:27 NLT Nehemiah 13:27 ESV Nehemiah 13:27 NASB Nehemiah 13:27 KJV Nehemiah 13:27 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 13:27 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 13:27 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 13:27 French Bible Nehemiah 13:27 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 13:27 Shall we then listen to you (Neh Ne) |
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