Nehemiah 13:1

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

On that day, the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people, and it was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא נִקְרָ֛א בְּסֵ֥פֶר מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּאָזְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם וְנִמְצָא֙ כָּת֣וּב בּ֔וֹ אֲ֠שֶׁר לֹא־יָב֨וֹא עַמֹּנִ֧י וּמֹאָבִ֛י בִּקְהַ֥ל הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃

Transliteration

In yôm the hû' was niqrā' in sēfer Mošeh in 'oznê the 'ām; and was nimṣā' kāṯûḇ in bô that not yāḇô' 'ammōnî and mō'āḇî in qəhal the 'ĕlōhîm until 'ôlām.

Grammar Details

• *yôm*: masculine singular noun with definite article prefix - day
• *hû'*: demonstrative pronoun - that
• *niqrā'*: Niphal perfect 3rd masculine singular - was read/called
• *sēfer*: masculine singular construct - book/scroll of
• *Mošeh*: proper name - Moses
• *'oznê*: dual construct noun - ears of
• *'ām*: masculine singular noun with definite article - people
• *nimṣā'*: Niphal perfect 3rd masculine singular - was found
• *kāṯûḇ*: Qal passive participle - written
• *bô*: preposition with 3rd masculine singular suffix - in it
• *yāḇô'*: Qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular - shall enter/come
• *'ammōnî*: gentilic adjective - Ammonite
• *mō'āḇî*: gentilic adjective - Moabite
• *qəhal*: masculine singular construct - assembly/congregation of
• *'ĕlōhîm*: masculine plural noun - God
• *'ôlām*: masculine singular noun - forever/eternity

Word Meanings

• *niqrā'*: was read/was called
• *sēfer*: book/scroll/document
• *'ĕlōhîm*: God/gods/divine beings (plural form used for singular deity)
• *'ôlām*: forever/perpetuity/ancient time

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  On 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;

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  On that day they read from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and it was found written that the Ammonite and the Moabite should never enter the assembly of God forever,

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  On 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;

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  On that day{H3117} they read{H7121} in the book{H5612} of Moses{H4872} in the audience{H241} of the people;{H5971} and therein was found{H4672} written,{H3789} that an Ammonite{H5984} and a Moabite{H4125} should not enter{H935} into the assembly{H6951} of God{H430} for{H5704} ever,{H5769}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  On that day{H3117} they read{H7121}{(H8738)} in the book{H5612} of Moses{H4872} in the audience{H241} of the people{H5971}; and therein was found{H4672}{(H8738)} written{H3789}{(H8803)}, that the Ammonite{H5984} and the Moabite{H4125} should not come{H935}{(H8799)} into the congregation{H6951} of God{H430} for{H5704} ever{H5769};

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  And what tyme as the boke of Moses was red in ye eares of the people, there was founde wrytten therin, yt the Ammonites and Moabites shulde neuer come in to the congregacion of God,

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And on that day did they reade in the booke of Moses, in the audience of the people, and it was found written therein, that the Ammonite, & the Moabite should not enter into the Congregation of God,

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And that day dyd they read in the booke of Moyses in the audience of the people, and therein was founde written, that the Ammonites, & Moabites shoulde neuer come into the congregation of God,

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ On 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;

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God forever,

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  On that day there was read in the book of Moses, in the ears of the people, and it hath been found written in it that an Ammonite and Moabite doth not come into the assembly of God -- unto the age,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God for ever,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God for ever,

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  On that day there was a reading from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and they saw that it said in the book that no Ammonite or Moabite might ever come into the meeting of God;

• World English Bible (2000)

  On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God forever,

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Further Reforms by Nehemiah On that day the book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people. They found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite may ever enter the assembly of God,

Referenced Verses

• Neh 9:3 : 3 They stood in their places and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and for another quarter, they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.
• Deut 23:3-5 : 3 No one born of an illegitimate union may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation, none of his descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD. 4 No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation; none of their descendants may ever enter the assembly of the LORD. 5 This is because they did not meet you with bread and water on your way out of Egypt, and because they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor of Aram Naharaim to curse you.
• Deut 31:11-12 : 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.' 12 Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully follow all the words of this law.
• Neh 13:23 : 23 Additionally, in those days I saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
• 2 Kgs 23:2 : 2 The king went up to the house of the Lord, along with all the men of Judah, all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the prophets, and all the people, from the youngest to the oldest. There, he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the house of the Lord.
• Neh 2:10 : 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply displeased that someone had come to seek the welfare of the Israelites.
• Neh 2:19 : 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arabian heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. They said, "What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?"
• Neh 4:3 : 3 So we prayed to our God and set a guard against them day and night because of their threats.
• Neh 8:3-8 : 3 He read from it in the open square before the Water Gate, from daybreak until midday, in the presence of the men, women, and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform made for this purpose. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Ananiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people because he was standing above them. As he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people responded, 'Amen, Amen,' lifting up their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—helped the people understand the Law as they stood in their places. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
• Ps 83:7-9 : 7 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, 8 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre. 9 Even Assyria has joined them; they have strengthened the descendants of Lot. Selah.
• Isa 15:1-9 : 1 An oracle concerning Moab: In the night, Ar of Moab was devastated and destroyed. In the night, Kir of Moab was devastated and destroyed. 2 They have gone up to the temple and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and Medeba. Every head is shaved, and every beard is cut off. 3 In its streets, they wear sackcloth. On its rooftops and public squares, everyone wails, falling down in tears. 4 Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voices are heard as far as Jahaz. Therefore, the armed men of Moab cry out, and their souls are filled with dread. 5 My heart cries out for Moab; her fugitives flee to Zoar, like a three-year-old heifer. They go up weeping by the ascent of Luhith. On the way to Horonaim, they raise a cry of destruction. 6 The waters of Nimrim are desolate. The grass is withered, the vegetation has vanished, and nothing green remains. 7 So the wealth they have earned and their stored possessions will be carried away over the Wadi of the Willows. 8 For the cry has gone around the borders of Moab. Its wailing reaches Eglaim, and its lamentation goes all the way to Beer Elim. 9 The waters of Dimon are full of blood, and I will bring even more upon Dimon—a lion upon the survivors of Moab and upon those remaining in the land.
• Isa 34:16 : 16 Search and consult the book of the Lord, and read: Not one of these will be missing; none will lack its mate. For His mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them together.
• Jer 48:1-49:6 : 1 This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says concerning Moab: Woe to Nebo, for it is devastated! Kiriathaim is disgraced and captured; the mighty stronghold is humbled and shattered. 2 The glory of Moab is no more! In Heshbon, a plan for disaster was made against her: 'Come, let us cut her off from being a nation!' Even Madmen will be silenced; the sword will follow you. 3 A cry of distress comes from Horonaim: great destruction and devastation! 4 Moab is broken! A cry is heard; even her young ones make their distress known. 5 For at the ascent of Luhith, weeping goes with the steps; as they descend to Horonaim, cries of destruction are heard from the enemy. 6 Flee! Save your lives like a juniper in the wilderness. 7 Because you trusted in your works and your treasures, you too will be captured! Chemosh will go into exile with his priests and officials together. 8 The destroyer will come to every city, and no city will escape. The valley will perish, and the plateau will be destroyed, for the LORD has spoken. 9 Give Moab wings so she may fly away, for her cities will become desolate, with no one living in them. 10 Cursed is the one who does the LORD's work negligently, and cursed is the one who withholds their sword from blood. 11 Moab has been at ease from her youth, settled on her dregs, not poured from vessel to vessel, nor gone into exile. Therefore her taste remains, and her aroma is unchanged. 12 Therefore, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will send those who pour out wine to tip her over; they will empty her vessels and shatter her jars. 13 Then Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, just as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their confidence. 14 How can you say, 'We are warriors, men mighty in battle'? 15 Moab is devastated, and its towns have been destroyed! The best of its young men have gone down to slaughter, declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts. 16 The calamity of Moab is near at hand, and her disaster is rushing swiftly. 17 Mourn for her, all you who surround her, and all who know her name; say, 'How the mighty rod of strength and the glorious staff is broken!' 18 Come down from your place of glory and sit in thirst, inhabitant daughter of Dibon, for the one who destroys Moab has attacked you, ruining your fortresses. 19 Stand by the road and watch, inhabitant of Aroer. Ask the man fleeing and the woman escaping, 'What has happened?' 20 Moab is put to shame, for it is shattered. Wail and cry out! Proclaim at the Arnon that Moab is destroyed. 21 Judgment has come to the land of the plain—to Holon, to Jahaz, and to Mephaath, 22 to Dibon, to Nebo, and to Beth-diblathaim, 23 to Kiriathaim, to Beth-gamul, and to Beth-meon, 24 to Kerioth, to Bozrah, and to all the cities of the land of Moab, far and near. 25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and her arm is broken, declares the LORD. 26 Make her drunk, for she has magnified herself against the LORD. Moab will wallow in her vomit and become an object of ridicule. 27 Was not Israel a laughingstock to you? Was he found among thieves, that whenever you speak of him you wag your head in scorn? 28 Abandon your cities and dwell among the rocks, O inhabitants of Moab. Be like a dove that makes its nest in the sides of the cave's opening. 29 We have heard of Moab's pride—so very proud—his arrogance, pride, conceit, and the haughtiness of his heart. 30 I know his fury, declares the LORD, but it is empty; his boasts accomplish nothing. 31 Therefore, I will wail for Moab; I will cry out for all of Moab. For the men of Kir-heres, I will mourn. 32 I will weep for you, vine of Sibmah, more than for Jazer. Your branches spread to the sea, reaching as far as Jazer. The destroyer has fallen upon your summer fruit and your grape harvest. 33 Joy and gladness have been taken from the fertile fields and the land of Moab. I have stopped the wine flowing from the presses; no one treads them with shouts of joy. There is no joyful shouting. 34 The crying of Heshbon resounds to Elealeh and Jahaz, they have raised their voices from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah. Even the waters of Nimrim are dried up. 35 I will put an end in Moab to the one who sacrifices on the high places and burns incense to his gods, declares the LORD. 36 Therefore, my heart moans for Moab like the sound of flutes; it moans like flutes for the men of Kir-heres, because their accumulated wealth has perished. 37 Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off, gashes are on all their hands, and sackcloth is wrapped around their waists. 38 On every rooftop of Moab and in its public squares, there is nothing but lamentation. For I have broken Moab like a jar no one wants, declares the LORD. 39 How shattered Moab is! Cry out! How Moab has turned his back in shame. So Moab will become a ridicule and a horror to all his neighbors. 40 For this is what the LORD says: Behold, one will fly swiftly like an eagle and spread his wings against Moab. 41 The cities are captured, and the strongholds are seized. On that day, the heart of Moab's warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor. 42 Moab will be destroyed as a people, because he exalted himself against the LORD. 43 Terror, pit, and snare await you, O inhabitant of Moab, declares the LORD. 44 The one who flees from the terror will fall into the pit, and the one climbing out of the pit will be caught in the snare. For I will bring on Moab the year of their punishment, declares the LORD. 45 In the shadow of Heshbon, the fugitives stand helpless, for a fire has gone out from Heshbon, and a flame from Sihon. It devours the corner of Moab and the crown of the noisy boasters. 46 Woe to you, Moab! The people of Chemosh are destroyed. Your sons have been taken into exile, and your daughters into captivity. 47 Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the latter days, declares the LORD. Here ends the judgment on Moab. 1 Concerning the children of Ammon, this is what the LORD says: Does Israel have no sons? Does he have no heir? Why then has their king taken possession of Gad, and why do his people dwell in its cities? 2 Therefore, behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites. It will become a desolate heap, and its villages will be burned with fire. Then Israel will take possession of those who dispossessed him, declares the LORD. 3 Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai has been destroyed! Cry out, O daughters of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth and mourn. Wander around by the fences, for their king will go into exile, along with his priests and officials together. 4 Why do you boast of your valleys, your abundant valley, O rebellious daughter? You trust in your treasures and say, 'Who will come against me?' 5 Behold, I am bringing terror upon you from all around you, declares the Lord, the LORD of Hosts. You will be driven away, each man fleeing before him, with no one to gather the fugitives. 6 But afterward, I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites, declares the LORD.
• Ezek 25:1-9 : 1 The word of the LORD came to me, saying: 2 Son of man, set your face against the Ammonites and prophesy against them. 3 Say to the Ammonites: Hear the word of the Sovereign LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you said, 'Aha!' against my sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into exile, 4 therefore, I am handing you over to the people of the east as a possession. They will set up their camps among you and pitch their tents around you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk. 5 I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and the land of the Ammonites a resting place for flocks. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 6 For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you clapped your hands, stomped your feet, and rejoiced with all the scorn in your heart against the land of Israel, 7 therefore, I will stretch out my hand against you and give you as plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the peoples, destroy you from the lands, and annihilate you. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 8 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because Moab and Seir said, 'Look! The house of Judah is like all the other nations,' 9 therefore, I will expose the flank of Moab, beginning with its frontier cities—the pride of the land—Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim. 10 I will hand it over, along with the Ammonites, to the people of the east as a possession, so that the Ammonites will no longer be remembered among the nations. 11 I will execute judgments on Moab, and they will know that I am the LORD.
• Amos 1:13-2:3 : 13 Thus says the LORD: 'For three transgressions of the Ammonites, and for four, I will not revoke punishment, because they ripped open pregnant women in Gilead in order to enlarge their territory.' 14 So I will set fire to the wall of Rabbah, and it will consume her palaces amid shouting on the day of battle, with a tempest on the day of the whirlwind. 15 Their king will go into exile, he and his princes together,' says the LORD. 1 This is what the LORD says: 'For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they burned to lime the bones of the king of Edom.' 2 'So I will send fire upon Moab, and it will consume the fortresses of Kerioth. Moab will die in great tumult, with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.' 3 'I will cut off the ruler from its midst and kill all its officials with him,' declares the LORD.
• Luke 4:16-19 : 16 He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written: 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
• Luke 10:26 : 26 He asked him, 'What is written in the Law? How do you read it?'
• Acts 13:15 : 15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, 'Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, speak.'
• Acts 15:21 : 21 For Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city from ancient generations, being read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.