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.
Read it in contextForeigners Excluded
Start reading at Nehemiah 13:1 (Nehemiah 13:1 to Nehemiah 13:3).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Lists, dedication, and later reforms show that rebuilding the wall did not remove the need for continuing faithfulness.
13:1On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
13:2Because 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.
13:3Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Nehemiah son of Hachaliah is the named memoir writer. His account was preserved within the larger Ezra–Nehemiah historical collection, which includes additional material. Biblical references: Nehemiah 1:1; Nehemiah 2:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Nehemiah 13:1–13:31): Nehemiah confronts officials, priests, merchants, and households concerning abuses after his return to Jerusalem. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The restored Jewish community centered on Jerusalem and later readers concerned with its rebuilding, covenant obligations, and worship. Biblical references: Nehemiah 2:17; Nehemiah 8:1; Nehemiah 10:29. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Foreigners Excluded. Read Nehemiah 13:1 through Nehemiah 13:3 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Lists, dedication, and later reforms show that rebuilding the wall did not remove the need for continuing faithfulness. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The narrative dates Nehemiah's commission by Artaxerxes' reign and later describes his return to the king and subsequent visit to Jerusalem. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? It opens in Shushan and moves to Jerusalem and the surrounding communities, focusing on the wall and the life of the restored people. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Foreigners Excluded (Nehemiah 13:1 to Nehemiah 13:3).
Start reading at Nehemiah 13:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament also joins hearing God's word with doing it and building up a community. This is a canonical comparison, not a claim that Nehemiah's wall directly symbolizes a particular Christian institution. See Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 11:28, Ephesians 4:16. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Combine prayer with responsible action, truthful leadership, and care for people harmed by injustice. Building a project does not remove the continuing need for reform and faithfulness. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Nehemiah 13
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Nehemiah combines first-person accounts, lists, and public covenant events concerning Jerusalem after exile. Distinguish Nehemiah's reported actions from commands addressed to every later community. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Lists, dedication, and later reforms show that rebuilding the wall did not remove the need for continuing faithfulness.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Lists, dedication, and later reforms show that rebuilding the wall did not remove the need for continuing faithfulness.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Nehemiah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Nehemiah combines first-person accounts, lists, and public covenant events concerning Jerusalem after exile. Distinguish Nehemiah's reported actions from commands addressed to every later community.