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

Why should we hear now
This phrase indicates a sense of urgency and surprise. Nehemiah is expressing astonishment that, despite previous reforms, the people have reverted to disobedience. The Hebrew root for "hear" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just hearing but understanding and responding. Nehemiah is calling the people to account, emphasizing that their actions are not hidden from God or the community.

that you too are doing
The phrase "you too" suggests that this behavior is not isolated but part of a broader pattern of disobedience among the people. It highlights the communal nature of sin and the influence of leaders on the people. The Hebrew verb "doing" (עָשָׂה, asah) is active, indicating ongoing action, which underscores the seriousness of their continued disobedience.

all this terrible wickedness
The word "terrible" (רַע, ra) in Hebrew conveys a sense of great evil or calamity. Nehemiah is not merely pointing out a minor infraction but a significant breach of covenant. "Wickedness" (רִשְׁעָה, rish'ah) denotes moral corruption and rebellion against God's laws. This phrase underscores the gravity of their actions in the eyes of God.

and are being unfaithful to our God
"Unfaithful" (מָעַל, ma'al) in Hebrew carries the connotation of treachery or betrayal. It is a covenantal term, indicating that the people have broken their sacred agreement with God. The phrase "our God" personalizes the relationship, reminding the Israelites of their unique covenant with Yahweh, who has chosen them as His people.

by marrying foreign women
The issue of "marrying foreign women" is not about ethnicity but about religious influence. The Hebrew term for "foreign" (נָכְרִי, nokri) refers to those outside the covenant community who worship other gods. Historically, intermarriage often led to idolatry, as seen in the cases of Solomon and others. Nehemiah's concern is for the spiritual purity and faithfulness of the community to Yahweh.

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.