Nehemiah 13:2

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

This was because they had not met the Israelites with bread and water but had hired Balaam to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Additional Resources

Other Translations

  • King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

    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 turd the curse into a blessing.

  • KJV1611 – Modern English

    because they did not meet the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them; however, our God turned the curse into a blessing.

  • King James Version 1611 (Original)

    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.

  • American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

    because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

  • King James Version with Strong's Numbers

    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.

  • Coverdale Bible (1535)

    because they mett not the children of Israel wt bred and water, and hyred Balaam against the, that he shulde curse them: neuertheles oure God turned ye curse in to a blessynge.

  • Geneva Bible (1560)

    Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: and our God turned the curse into a blessing.

  • Bishops' Bible (1568)

    Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them that he should curse them: and our God turned the curse into a blessing.

  • Authorized King James Version (1611)

    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.

  • Webster's Bible (1833)

    because they didn't meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: however our God turned the curse into a blessing.

  • Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

    because they have not come before the sons of Israel with bread and with water, and hire against them Balaam to revile them, and our God turneth the reviling into a blessing.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

  • Bible in Basic English (1941)

    Because they did not give the children of Israel bread and water when they came to them, but got Balaam to put a curse on them: though the curse was turned into a blessing by our God.

  • World English Bible (2000)

    because they didn't meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: however our God turned the curse into a blessing.

  • NET Bible® (New English Translation)

    for they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but instead had hired Balaam to curse them.(Our God, however, turned the curse into blessing.)

Referenced Verses

  • Deut 23:5 : 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.
  • Josh 24:9-9 : 9 Then Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you. 10 But I would not listen to Balaam. Instead, he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.
  • Ps 109:28 : 28 Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice.
  • Mic 6:5 : 5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised and what Balaam son of Beor answered him, from Shittim to Gilgal, so that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.
  • Matt 25:40 : 40 The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me.’
  • Num 22:3-9 : 3 Moab became very afraid of the people because they were numerous. Moab was overcome with dread because of the Israelites. 4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, 'Now this horde will devour everything around us, like an ox eats the grass of the field.' At that time, Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab. 5 He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the river in the land of his people. They were to call him, saying, 'Look, a people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and are settling next to me.' 6 Now, please come and curse this people for me, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed. 7 The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them payment for divination. They came to Balaam and told him Balak's message. 8 Balaam said to them, 'Spend the night here, and I will bring back a word to you, as the LORD speaks to me.' So the Moabite leaders stayed with Balaam. 9 Then God came to Balaam and asked, 'Who are these men with you?' 10 Balaam said to God, 'Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent this message to me: 11 'Look, a people that came out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now, come and curse them for me. Perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them out.'
  • Num 23:8-9 : 8 How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those the LORD has not denounced? 9 For from the top of the rocks I see them, from the hills I behold them; they are a people who live apart and do not consider themselves among the nations. 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob or number a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my final end be like theirs! 11 Balak said to Balaam, 'What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!'
  • Num 23:18 : 18 Then Balaam proclaimed his oracle, saying: 'Stand up, Balak, and listen; hear me, son of Zippor!'
  • Num 24:5-9 : 5 How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel! 6 Like valleys they stretch out, like gardens along a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters. 7 Water will flow from his buckets; his seed will be by abundant waters. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. 8 God brought him out of Egypt; he has the strength of a wild ox. He will devour hostile nations and crush their bones; with his arrows, he will pierce them. 9 He crouched, he lay down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Those who bless you will be blessed; those who curse you will be cursed. 10 Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. He said to Balaam, 'I summoned you to curse my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them three times!'

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Deut 23:4-5
    2 verses
    86%

    4No 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.

    5This 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.

  • Num 22:9-14
    6 verses
    80%

    9Then God came to Balaam and asked, 'Who are these men with you?'

    10Balaam said to God, 'Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent this message to me:

    11'Look, a people that came out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now, come and curse them for me. Perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them out.'

    12But God said to Balaam, 'Do not go with them. You must not curse the people, for they are blessed.'

    13The next morning, Balaam got up and said to Balak’s officials, 'Go back to your own country, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.'

    14So the Moabite leaders returned to Balak and said, 'Balaam refused to come with us.'

  • Num 23:11-13
    3 verses
    78%

    11Balak said to Balaam, 'What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!'

    12He answered, 'Must I not speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?'

    13Then Balak said to him, 'Please come with me to another place where you can see them. You will see only a part of them, not all of them. From there, curse them for me.'

  • Num 23:25
    77%

    25Then Balak said to Balaam, 'If you won’t curse them for me, then at least don’t bless them!'

  • Josh 24:9-10
    2 verses
    77%

    9Then Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you.

    10But I would not listen to Balaam. Instead, he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you from his hand.

  • Num 22:5-7
    3 verses
    77%

    5He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the river in the land of his people. They were to call him, saying, 'Look, a people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and are settling next to me.'

    6Now, please come and curse this people for me, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.

    7The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them payment for divination. They came to Balaam and told him Balak's message.

  • Num 24:1-2
    2 verses
    77%

    1When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to seeking omens as he had done before, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.

    2Balaam looked up and saw Israel camped according to their tribes, and the Spirit of God came upon him.

  • Neh 13:1
    76%

    1On 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.

  • Num 23:27-28
    2 verses
    75%

    27Then Balak said to Balaam, 'Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there.'

    28So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.

  • Num 24:10
    75%

    10Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. He said to Balaam, 'I summoned you to curse my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them three times!'

  • Num 23:7-8
    2 verses
    75%

    7Then Balaam uttered his oracle and said: 'From Aram Balak brought me, the king of Moab from the eastern mountains: "Come, curse Jacob for me; come, denounce Israel."'

    8How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those the LORD has not denounced?

  • Num 31:16
    74%

    16Behold, these women caused the people of Israel to act unfaithfully against the LORD through the advice of Balaam in the matter of Peor, which led to the plague among the congregation of the LORD.

  • Josh 13:22
    73%

    22In addition to those slain, the Israelites also killed Balaam son of Beor, the diviner, with the sword.

  • Num 22:16-18
    3 verses
    73%

    16They came to Balaam and said to him, 'This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Please do not let anything prevent you from coming to me.'

    17'For I will reward you very handsomely and will do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on these people for me.'

    18But Balaam answered Balak's servants, 'Even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the LORD my God to do anything small or great.'

  • Num 23:2
    72%

    2Balak did as Balaam said, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

  • Num 22:39-41
    3 verses
    72%

    39Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth.

    40Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep and gave some to Balaam and the officials who were with him.

    41The next morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal, from where he could see the outskirts of the people.

  • Num 23:16-17
    2 verses
    72%

    16The LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, 'Return to Balak and speak these words.'

    17So Balaam returned to Balak, who was standing beside his burnt offering with the officials of Moab. Balak asked him, 'What did the LORD say?'

  • Num 22:2
    72%

    2When Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites,

  • Num 24:12
    71%

    12Balaam answered Balak, 'Did I not tell your messengers that you sent to me,'

  • Neh 13:3
    70%

    3When they heard the Law, they separated all those of foreign descent from Israel.

  • Num 23:5
    70%

    5The LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, 'Go back to Balak and speak this to him.'

  • 2 Pet 2:15
    70%

    15They have abandoned the straight way and gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.

  • Judg 2:11
    70%

    11The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals.

  • Judg 11:25
    70%

    25Are you any better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive or fight against Israel?

  • Num 22:20
    70%

    20That night God came to Balaam and said, 'Since these men have come to summon you, go with them. But do only what I tell you.'

  • Josh 22:33
    69%

    33The Israelites were pleased with the report, and they praised God. They no longer talked about going to war against them to destroy the land where the Reubenites and the Gadites lived.