The prohibition of intermarriage in the Bible primarily refers to the restrictions placed upon the Israelites regarding marriage with individuals from surrounding nations. This prohibition is rooted in the concern for maintaining religious purity and preventing the influence of idolatry and pagan practices on the covenant community.

Old Testament Context

The foundation for the prohibition of intermarriage is laid out in the Pentateuch. 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 is given in the context of the Israelites entering the Promised Land, where they would encounter various Canaanite nations.

The concern was not ethnic or racial but religious. The surrounding nations practiced idolatry, and intermarriage posed a significant risk of leading the Israelites away from worshiping Yahweh. The historical books of the Old Testament provide examples of the consequences of ignoring this command. For instance, King Solomon's marriages to foreign women led him to idolatry, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:1-4 : "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women... They turned his heart away from the LORD."

Post-Exilic Period

The issue of intermarriage resurfaces during the post-exilic period. In the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, the leaders take decisive action to address the problem of intermarriage with foreign women. Ezra 9:1-2 reports, "The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the peoples of the lands... Indeed, the leaders and officials have been foremost in this unfaithfulness." Ezra's response is one of mourning and prayer, leading to a covenant renewal and the separation from foreign wives (Ezra 10).

Nehemiah also confronts the issue, emphasizing the spiritual danger posed by intermarriage. Nehemiah 13:23-27 recounts his rebuke of those who had married foreign women, reminding them of Solomon's downfall due to similar actions.

New Testament Considerations

While the New Testament does not explicitly reiterate the Old Testament prohibition of intermarriage, it emphasizes 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 underscores the importance of shared faith in the marital relationship.

Theological Implications

The prohibition of intermarriage in the Bible highlights the importance of maintaining religious integrity and fidelity to God. It serves as a reminder of the potential spiritual dangers posed by alliances that could lead believers away from their commitment to God. The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes the need for God's people to remain distinct and devoted to Him, avoiding influences that could compromise their faith and obedience.