The concept of prohibiting intermarriage, particularly between the Israelites and surrounding nations, is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. This prohibition is rooted in the desire to maintain religious purity and prevent the Israelites from adopting pagan practices. The concern was not ethnic but spiritual, focusing on the potential for idolatry and the dilution of faith in Yahweh.

Old Testament Foundations

The prohibition against intermarriage is first explicitly mentioned in the Mosaic Law. In Deuteronomy 7:3-4 , God commands the Israelites: "Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for 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." This directive was given as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, emphasizing the importance of remaining distinct from the Canaanite nations whose practices were abhorrent to God.

In Exodus 34:15-16 , the Lord warns, "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." Here, the focus is on the spiritual danger posed by intermarriage, which could lead to idolatry.

Historical Context and Examples

Throughout Israel's history, the issue of intermarriage surfaces repeatedly. In the post-exilic period, Ezra and Nehemiah confronted the problem directly. Ezra 9:1-2 reports, "The leaders came to me and said, 'The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the peoples of the lands with their abominations... Indeed, the hands of the leaders and officials have been foremost in this unfaithfulness.'" Ezra's response was one of mourning and prayer, leading to a covenant renewal and the separation from foreign wives (Ezra 10).

Nehemiah faced a similar situation upon his return to Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 13:23-27 , he recounts, "In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab... So I rebuked them, cursed them, beat some of their men, and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God, saying, 'You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves.'" Nehemiah's actions underscore the seriousness with which this prohibition was regarded.

Theological Implications

The prohibition against intermarriage is deeply tied to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It reflects the call to holiness and the need to avoid syncretism, which could lead to a departure from the worship of the one true God. The underlying principle is the preservation of a community devoted to God's laws and purposes.

New Testament Considerations

While the New Testament does not explicitly reiterate the Old Testament prohibition against intermarriage, it does emphasize the importance of spiritual unity in marriage. In 2 Corinthians 6:14 , Paul advises, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?" This principle aligns with the Old Testament concern for maintaining a pure and devoted relationship with God.

Conclusion

The prohibition against intermarriage in the Bible is a reflection of the broader theme of holiness and the call to remain distinct as God's people. It serves as a reminder of the potential spiritual dangers posed by alliances that could lead to idolatry and a departure from faithfulness to God.