Nehemiah 13:27

Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?"

Study Bible

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
The phrase "you too" implies that the people being addressed are part of a larger group that has previously committed similar transgressions. This highlights the communal nature of sin and the influence of peer behavior. It suggests a pattern of disobedience that Nehemiah is trying to correct, reminiscent of the Israelites' repeated failures to uphold God's laws throughout their history, as seen in Judges and Kings.

all this terrible evil
The term "terrible evil" is a strong condemnation of the actions being taken. In the context of the Old Testament, marrying foreign women was seen as a direct violation of God's commands, as it often led to idolatry and the dilution of religious practices. This phrase reflects the severity with which such actions were viewed, aligning with the warnings given in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 about the dangers of intermarriage with pagan nations.

and acting unfaithfully against our God
"Acting unfaithfully" suggests a breach of trust and covenant with God. The Israelites were chosen to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes (Exodus 19:5-6). By marrying foreign women, they were not only disobeying a specific command but also compromising their unique identity and relationship with God. This unfaithfulness is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, where Israel's idolatry is often likened to marital infidelity (Hosea 1-3).

by marrying foreign women?
Marrying foreign women was explicitly prohibited in the Mosaic Law due to the risk of leading the Israelites away from worshiping Yahweh (Exodus 34:16, Deuteronomy 7:3-4). This prohibition was not based on ethnicity but on religious purity and the potential for syncretism. The historical context includes Solomon's downfall due to his foreign wives leading him into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8). This serves as a warning and a type of Christ, who is the faithful bridegroom to the Church, His bride, emphasizing the call for spiritual purity and devotion.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Nehemiah
The 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 Commands
Nehemiah'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

1. How does Nehemiah's response to intermarriage reflect his commitment to God's law, and what can we learn from his example about addressing sin in our communities?

2. In what ways can relationships influence our spiritual walk, and how can we ensure that our relationships honor God?

3. How does the issue of intermarriage in Nehemiah 13 relate to the broader theme of covenant faithfulness in the Old Testament?

4. What steps can we take to hold ourselves and others accountable to God's standards in today's context?

5. How can we apply the principle of avoiding spiritual compromise in our daily lives, especially in a culture that often promotes values contrary to biblical teachings?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
This passage provides the original command against intermarriage with foreign nations, emphasizing the risk of turning away from God to serve other gods.

Ezra 9-10
These chapters describe a similar issue of intermarriage and the community's repentance, showing the ongoing struggle to maintain covenant faithfulness.

1 Kings 11:1-4
The account of Solomon's marriages to foreign women, which led him astray, serves as a historical warning of the dangers Nehemiah was addressing.