The Israelites Relation To Other Nations

Article aV 1998

This article was written while studying marriages as in the Old Testament era, and especially with

regards to Jews marrying those from other nationalities. Yet this article pertains to much more then just the subject of marriage.

This article considers the Israelites relation to other nations (governments) and the Israelites relation to persons or individuals from other nations, as in the Old Testament.

Article Index

Chapter 1, Considers Israel's obligation to utterly destroy seven particular wicked nations.

Chapter 2, Considers how Israel was to relate to nations outside of those particular seven nations whom they were to utterly destroy.

Chapter 3, Considers Israel's relation to individuals from other nation's and who might have dwelt among them.

Chapter 4, Considers the strangers and strange wives of Ezra and Nehemiah's times, which strangers and strange wives were required to be put away. Av-74.5

Chapter 5, Considers the strange wives of Solomon.

Chapter 1

Considers Israel's Obligation to Utterly Destroy Seven Particular Wicked Nations

Following are several Scriptures which clearly reveal that there were seven particular nations which the Israelites were commanded to destroy. It appears to the writer that as God destroyed the first world by the flood so He now, rather than destroying the whole world, chose Israel to destroy seven particular wicked nations. aV-1

(Deu 7:1-4) "When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly." aV-2

Concerning the above mentioned seven nations, Deu 7:1, Josh 3:10, and Joshua 24:11 all three mention the exact same nations, while in 12 other Scriptures at least 6 of these 7 nations are mentioned. The 12 Scriptures wherein 6 of these 7 nations are mentioned are; Gen 15:20-21, Ex 3:8, Ex 3:17, Ex 23:23, Ex 33:2, Ex 34:11, Deu 20:17, Josh 9:1, Josh 11:3, Josh 12:8, Judg 3:5, and Neh 9:8. Paul in Acts 13:19 speaking of these 7 nations says "And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot." Concerning these seven nations, numerous Scriptures teach that the were not to make any covenant or league with them but were to utterly destroy them and let nothing breath therein. Following is another Scripture concerning such. aV-3

(Deu 20:16-17) "But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: {17} But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:" aV-4

Yet even concerning those seven nations God told Moses they would not all be destroyed immediately but little by little as in the following Scripture; aV-5

(Exo 23:23-24 &29-30) "For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off. Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images. ...I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land." Moses later telling the people what God had told him said; "And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee." (Deu 7:22). aV-6

Although Israel did fail in fully and properly driving out the inhabitants of the land, yet one should consider how easily they could have excused themselves from their duty of destroying these nations saying, God said we not drive them out in one year, but little by little. Although all that breathed was to be destroyed within those 7 nations, yet there was some exception to such, as the harlot that had hid the spies, together with her family were saved from death (Josh 6:17). aV-7

Chapter 2

Considers How Israel was to Relate To Nations Outside of Those Particular Seven Nations Whom They Were to Utterly Destroy.

Concerning other nations outside of these particular seven, they were not to be utterly destroyed and liberty was given to make leagues or covenants with them, and under some conditions to take wives from them if the proper procedure was followed. Following are several Scriptures pertaining to such; aV-8

(Deu 20:10-17) "When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. {11} And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. {12} And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: {13} And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: {14} But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. {15} Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations. {16} But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: {17} But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:" aV-9

(Deu 21:10-13) "When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive, {11} And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife; {12} Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; {13} And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife." Yet God's law as given by Moses clearly would not have allowed this wife to hold to the false gods of her people, while being among the Israelites. Such is clearly revealed by Scriptures given in paragraphs 97-100 below. aV-10

The following Scriptures further reveal how nations, other than the seven Nations which were to be destroyed, could relate to the people of Israel;

aV-11

(Deu 2:4-5) "...Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: {5} Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession." The children of Esau were called Edomites (Gen 36:8-9) reads, "...Esau is Edom. And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir:" aV-12

(Deu 2:9) "And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession." aV-13

(Deu 2:19) "And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession." aV-14

(Deu 23:7-8) "Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite [Esau's descendents]; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land. The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation." aV-15

(Deu 23:3-4) "An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever: {4} Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee." aV-16

Possibly the above verse was some of the reason why Naomi encouraged Ruth the Mobitess to remain with her people and with her gods saying, "...Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law." (Ruth 1:15). aV-17

Chapter 3

Considers Israel's Relation To Individuals From Other Nation's

Considers the Strangers Who Dwelt Among the Israelites.

Many Scriptures pertain to the Israelite's relation to individuals from other nations. Individuals from other Nations who dwelt among the Israelites were generally called strangers. Considering that many Scriptures pertain to teaching how strangers who lived among the Israelites were to conduct themselves, is clear that strangers from other nations were permitted to live among the Israelites. In the books of Ex to Neh. the term stranger is used over 100 times. aV-18

The word stranger in the Old Testament of our King James Version, comes forth from several different Hebrew words. The Hebrew words that underlie the word stranger, identify different classes of strangers. Some classes of strangers could be quite acceptable while other classes of strangers would be quite unacceptable. Following are given 3 of the Hebrew words that underlie the word stranger; Note these three Hebrew words pertain to the less acceptable stranger; aV-19

2114. zuwr, zoor; a prim. root; to turn aside (espec. for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; spec. (act. part.) to commit adultery; aV-20

5236. nekar, nay-kawr'; from H5234; foreign, or (concr.) a foreigner, or (abstr.) heathendom:. aV-21

5237. nokriy, nok-ree'; from H5235 (second form); strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful): aV-22

Note how the above Hebrew words underlying stranger pertain to something that which would not be acceptable. Above word 5236 is used in Nehemiah in speaking of those strangers that Nehemiah separated from among them. aV-23

The following Hebrew word most often underlies the word stranger, and is used in speaking of a good stranger; aV-24

1616. ger, gare; from H1481; prop. a guest; by impl. a foreigner: aV-25

Those individuals among the Israelites who were classified as strangers were not considered equal with the Israelites. In Solomon's time he numbered those among them who were classified as strangers and sent them to work in the mountain. 2 Chr. 2:17-18 concerning such reads, "And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred. And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work." Note according to this Scripture Solomon sent all 153,600 strangers to a particular work away from home. Also note that according to this Scripture King David in his time had also numbered the strangers among the Israelites. aV-26

The following Scripture reveals the status of a stranger as compared to an Israelite;

(Lev 25:39& 43-46) "And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:... {43} Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God. {44} Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. {45} Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. {46} And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour." aV-27

Yet God did not want the Israelites to oppress the strangers that dwelt among them as is revealed in the following Scriptures; aV-28

(Deu 24:14) "Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:" aV-29

(Exo 23:9) "Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." aV-30

(Lev 19:34) "But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." aV-31

The writer found around fifteen Scriptures which speak of the stranger together with the fatherless and widow, which Scriptures exhorted the Israelites to be fair and generous with the stranger as well as the fatherless and the widow. aV-32

Although the stranger was not equal to an Israelite he yet had a particular place among the Israelites which place was revoked or cut off if he did not properly keep the Jewish laws. Five different times the Scriptures speak of the stranger as well as the Israelite being cut off from among their people if they transgressed God's laws as given by Moses. Such Scriptures are Ex 12:19, Lev 17:8-9, Lev 17:10, Num 15:30-31, Ezek 14:7-8. aV-33

Concerning most issues the stranger as well as the Israelite were under the same laws as is revealed in the following Scriptures; aV-34

(Deu 31:12) "Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:" aV-35

(Lev 18:26) "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:" aV-36

(Lev 16:29) "And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:" aV-37

(Lev 24:16) "And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death." aV-38

(Num 15:15-16) "One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. {16} One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.". Note how this Scripture speaks of one law and one ordinance. aV-39

Four other texts like the above Scripture, speak of one law or one ordinance being for them both the Israelite and the stranger. Such texts are Ex 12:49, Lev 24:22, Num 9:14, Num 15:29. aV-40

Yet several Scriptures as follow reveal a slight difference in rules regarding the stranger as compared to the Israelite; aV-41

(Deu 14:21) "Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God..." aV-42

(Deu 23:20) "Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it." Note this later verse uses the Hebrew word which means a less acceptable stranger. aV-43

Possibly the above two verses were given with regard to the uncircumcised stranger who had not been partaking of the Passover. aV-44

According to the following Scriptures it appears that the stranger who dwelt among the Israelites could be much like one born in the land, and could keep the Passover with them!; aV-45

(Exo 12:48) "And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof." aV-46

(Num 9:14) "And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land." aV-47

The law of Moses permitted the stranger who dwelt among the Israelites, to offer up sacrifices like the Israelite did, if he desired to do so. The following Scripture pertains to such; aV-48

(Num 15:14) "And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do." Other such Scriptures are Lev 17:8 and Lev 22:18. aV-49

As the stranger was required to be circumcised before he could partake of the passover, and the keeping the passover involved the offering of many sacrifices, quite likely the stranger was required to be circumcised before he could offer up sacrifices as did the Israelites. Yet the writer could find no clear Scriptures concerning such. aV-50

The following Scriptures indicates that even the stranger who did not live among them was permitted to come among them and worship toward or in the temple that Solomon had built. aV-51

(1 Ki 8:41-43) "Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake; {42} (For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house; {43} Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name." aV-52

(2 Chr 6:32-33) "Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house; {33} Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name." aV-53

The Ethiopain eunuch that Philip baptized likely was at Jerusalem worshipping, as Solomon spoke of in the above verses. Acts 8:27-28 speaking of this Ethiopain eunuch reads; "And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, {28} Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet." aV-54

Although some strangers and their descendents such as spoken of in paragraph aV-16 were to never enter the congregation of the Lord, the children of some particular strangers could enter the "congregation of the Lord" in the third generation. Following is a Scripture which reveals such; aV-55

(Deu 23:7-8) "Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land. The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation." The writer does not know of any nation of strangers that was permitted to enter the congregation of the Lord sooner then the third generation. aV-56

God in respect to the laws He had given Moses said, "...Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel." (Exo 34:27). Neh 8:8 reads, "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." In both the Old and New Testament the intent and purpose of the law was and is to be advocated rather than the technical letter of the law. It appears to the writer that to enter the congregation one needed to be very well established in the Jewish laws and ways. Likely such is why the Edomite and Egyptian had to wait till their third generation to enter the congregation of the Lord. aV-57

The following Scripture indicates that a stranger in due time was to be given an inheritance from among the tribe in which he dwelt. Note the following Scripture was not given by Moses, but was Ezekiel's teaching concerning how God's people should relate to strangers, which teaching likely was given after or during the time of the Babylonian captivity. aV-58

(Ezek 47:22-23) "And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. {23} And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD." aV-59

Concerning those who according to the law of Moses were permitted to enter the congregation in their third generation, to the writer it appears they at that time could be considered totally equal with the Israelites and possibly receive an inheritance among the tribe inwhich they dwelt such as Ezekiel said in the above Scripture. Thus such no longer would be considered strangers, but rather could be considered to be of the tribe wherein they sojourned. aV-60

The writer does not know exactly what the term entering into the congregation of the Lord means, although he studied much concerning it. Yet is does appear to him that it means becoming one who is a legal Jew, or a legal Jewish citizen, who thus would be totally equal with those of Jewish descent. Esther 8:17 speaks of many becoming Jews, within a short period of time, because of the fear of the Jews, reading, "...And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them". These of Esther's time may not have been considered to have entered the congregation of the Lord, but they at least would have become acceptable strangers among them. aV-61

Since the circumcised and law keeping stranger, who lived among the Israelites, was not allowed to enter the "Congregation of the Lord", it is clear that circumcision was not a ritual which allowed one to enter the Congregation of the Lord. Yet the children of a circumcised and law keeping stranger could in due time officially enter the Congregation of the Lord. Concerning circumcision among the Israelite people or nation, God told Abraham "And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant." (Gen 17:14) aV-62

Since many Scriptures speak of the law of Moses as being for both the Israelite and the stranger it is clear that one's position of being a stranger was often a long standing position, and clear that the stranger did not lose his position as a stranger simply by keeping the law and being circumcised. aV-63

Note not only were some particular nations permanently forbidden to enter the congregation of the Lord, but some particular Israelites as well were also permanently forbidden to enter the congregation of the Lord. Deu 23:1-2 reveals that these particular Israelites, like the Moabites and Ammonites, could never enter the congregation of the Lord reading; "He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, [likely another way of saying eunuch] shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD. {2} A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD." aV-64

Although the Moabites, Ammonites, eunuchs, and bastards were to never enter the congregation of the Lord, it appears even these particular people could dwell among the Israelites under the status of strangers. Thus the Ammonite, Moabite, eunuch, or bastard dwelling among the Jews as strangers, would have been kept in a position slight disgrace and of servitude to them and could never have become equal with them. aV-64.5

The following Scripture reveals that God yet was merciful to those strangers and eunuchs who could never enter the congregation of the Lord; aV-65

(Isa 56:3-7) "Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. {4} For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; {5} Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. {6} Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; {7} Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." aV-66

In the New Testament their is no born again person that must dwell among God's people as a stranger. Paul speaking to the non Israelite of the New Testament says; "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" (Eph 2:19). aV-67

In the Old Testament likely the condition of the heart and spirit of the stranger also was considered before allowing a stranger to enter the congregation of the Lord. The following Scripture reveals that God, with respect the stranger, was not only interested in the circumcision of the flesh, but also the condition of the heart. aV-68

(Ezek 44:7) "In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations." Note several Scriptures referred to in paragraph aV-49 reveal that strangers dwelling among the Israelites were permitted to offer up sacrifices. aV-69

Although Ruth was a Moabite who was to never enter the congregation of Israel forever, even to the tenth generation, yet her sincere heart and attitude is clearly revealed in her famous following statement; aV-70

(Ruth 1:16-17) "And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: {17} Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. aV-71

Ruth soon hereafter became the wife of Boaz, and became the great-grandmother of King David, and thus entered the family line wherefrom Christ was born. aV-72

Possibly Ruth as an exception officially became a part of the congregation of the Lord. Yet if Ruth could not officially enter the congregation of the Lord, quite obviously God permitted her descendents to become part of the congregation of the Lord, otherwise King David and all the Kings of Juda would have been classified as strangers rather than as those who were in the congregation of the Lord. Could a woman enter the Congregation of the Lord through marrying one who was an Israelite? If a Moabite man would have been as sincere as Ruth, could he have married among the Israelite people as did Ruth and have been as accepted as she was? aV-73

One should here consider that, even in the Old Testament, the intent or purpose of God's law was to be followed rather than the legalistic letter. King David by the letter of God's law should have been put to death for adultery and largely murder, yet God in that particular situation said, "...The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die" (2 Sam 12:13). aV-74

Chapter 4

Considers the Strangers and Strange Wives Of Ezra and Nehemiah's Times, Which Strangers and Strange Wives Were Required to be Put Away From Among the Israelites. aV-74.5

Likely in Nehemiah's time the Ammonites and Moabites were being allowed to have to much equal position among the Israelites. Likely they also lacked having that circumcision of the heart which God expected of the stranger that dwelt among the Israelites. Thus there needed to be a separation brought about as in the following Scriptures; aV-75

(Neh 13:1&3 & 30) "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; {3} Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude... ...Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;" Note the word stranger here comes from the Hebrew word which means a less acceptable stranger. Yet Nehemiah was not to reject or cast away a good stranger even if such an one was not of their nation. God did not reject or cast away the good stranger, Mal 3:5 reads; "And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against ...those that ...turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts." It does not appear to the writer that one should think that Nehemiah here cleansing Israel from the Ammonites and Moabites, means that God law forbade the honest and sincere Ammonite or Moabite who was endeavoring to seek the God of Israel, from dwelling among the Israelites as strangers. Ruth the Moabitess even was honored in being a mother in the family line wherefrom Christ was born. aV-76

Following are several Scriptures wherein Ezra and Nehemiah endeavored to separate Israel from the strange wives among them; aV-77

(Ezra 10:10-11) "And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. {11} Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives." Ezra then ordained that the elders and judges of each city should work with each wrong or questionable marriage situation by appointment, that each marriage thus be dealt with properly. Ezra 10:14 pertaining to such reads "Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.". aV-78

(Neh 13:25-26) This Scripture pertains to how Nehemiah separated improper wives from among the Israelites; "And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. {26} Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin." Note the word strange and outlandish in the above verses comes from the same Hebrew word that underlies the less acceptable stranger. aV-79

In separating the strange wives from among them, what would Ezra and Nehemiah have done, if some strange wives at that difficult time, would have agreed to truly seek the God of Israel and earnestly told Ezra and their Israelite husbands, thy God shall be my God and thy people shall be my people, somewhat as did Ruth the wife of Boaz? Would God yet have required that those wives be put away from Israel and their husbands? Considering the purpose and spirit of the law and considering how God allowed many none Israelites to dwell among His people as strangers, to the writer it appears that such wives would not have had to be separated from their husbands and God's people. Ezra 10:14 given above, reveals that Ezra did not simply without consideration require all foreign wives to be put away but gave each situation it's own consideration and judgment. aV-80

In the Old Testament the act of an Israelite marrying a strange wife, likely was much like the Christian in the New Testament marrying an unbeliever, which act also is forbidden. Apostle Paul says, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?... ...Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you," (2 Cor 6:14&17). Yet in the Old Testament if a woman truly turned away from the ways of her own nation to the God of Israel, likely the Israelite could marry such a woman, much like the Christian can marry that New Testament woman, who also has turned to God and His people, from the ways of her non Christian people. aV-81

Those who believe that it was unlawful for the Israelites to marry one from any another nation solely because they were from another nation then Israel, would need to believe it unlawful for Boaz to marry Ruth, and for the Israelite to marry any of the captives that they took in war. It appears at least one of King David's wives was not born of the Israelites, such wife being the daughter of a foreign King (2 Sam 3:3). aV-82

Following are Scriptures which reveal that when Israel fought against their enemies, at times the males were all slain while the women were saved alive. aV-

(Num 31:17-18) "Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. {18} But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves." aV-83

(1 Ki 11:15-16) "For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom; {16} (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)" aV-84

(1 Sam 25:22) In this Scripture, likely David was also speaking of the slaying of all males "So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall." Note David made this statement when he was treated improperly by Nabal, during the time he was fleeing from Saul. aV-85

After wars, likely at times, there were numerous women among the captives. Deu 21:10-13, which Scripture was given in above paragraph aV-10, clearly reveals that the Israelites were permitted to marry these captives if the proper procedures were taken. If the Israelites would not have been permitted to marry any of these women captives or any of those women which were classified as strangers that dwelt among them, why would such women have been permitted to be among them, since an Israelite could so easily by dwelling among them, start to desire one of such to be his wife? aV-86

Since God permitted wives to be taken from among those captive women, who were their enemies, and from the Moabites which nation was to never enter the congregation, it appears that God so much the more would have permitted the Israelites to take wives from those nations who they were not to abhor, such as the Edomites and the Egyptians, if such woman turned to the God of Israel. aV-87

Yet concerning those nations which the Israelites in the time of Moses were not to abhor, such nations by the time of David and Solomon could have become much more wicked and possibly lost their favored position. Although in the time of Moses the Israelites were not to destroy or meddle with some particular favored nations, later David fought against these nations likely because they were unpeaceable with Israel or had become more wicked. In the time of King Jehoshaphat, concerning some of those favored nations which God commanded Moses to not meddle with, such nations made war with Jehoshaphat and God seen fit to destroy them before Juda (2 Chron 20:10&22). aV-88

Today if a Christian would marry one who was truly converted from Buddism to Christianity, such an one would not be accused for marrying a Buddhist, although he would be known as one who married one who was a Buddhist. Yet if a Christian would marry a Buddhist while in that state, such an one would be condemned as being one who had taken a improper (strange) wife and married a Buddhist. Correspondingly it appears if an Israelite married a unchanged Moabite he would have been condemned as marrying a Moabite and a strange wife, yet if he had married a reformed Moabite who had turned to God and His people, he would not have been condemned for such, but would be known as marrying one who had been a Moabite. aV-89

Chapter 5

Considers the Strange Wives of Solomon.

Considers if Solomon's Wives Were Unacceptable and Strange Because of the Nation Wherefrom they Came, or Because They Never Had Truly and Properly Turned to the God of Israel.

Following are several verses which condemn Solomon for marrying strange wives; aV-90

(1 Ki 11:1-2) "But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; {2} Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love." aV-91

Note the word strange in the above Scripture again comes from that Hebrew word which pertains to the less acceptable stranger. It appears to the writer if the wives spoken of in these verses had truly turned away from the ways of her own nation and turned to the God of Israel somewhat as did Ruth the wife of Boaz, before Solomon married them, these wives would not have been spoken of as being strange women, and of other nations as in the above Scriptures. aV-92

If their were particular nations from which the Israelites could never take a wife regardless of the situation (including even if she had turned to the God of Israel), it would appear to the writer, such nations would have been the 7 nations which were to be utterly and totally destroyed. If their were nations whose people could never dwell among them as strangers it would appear to the writer it would also have been those 7 nations that were to be utterly destroyed. Yet Urriah who King David killed after committing adultery with his wife Bathsheba, quite clearly was a Hittite which is one from one of these 7 nations (2 Sam 11). aV-93

If the above Scripture of 1 Kings 11:1-2 meant it was unlawful for the Israelites to marry a woman from any of these nations even though a woman therefrom had truly turned to the God of Israel, what nations could the Israelites taken reformed or proselyte wives from? Some of the nations mentioned in this particular Scripture, are nations that other Scriptures said the Israelites were not to abhor because of their special relation to them, and nations which could in due time enter the Congregation of the Lord. Ruth the wife of Boaz and great-grandmother of King David, was from one of these nations. To the writer the above Scripture simply means Solomon married wives which were in a improper condition for him to marry from these nations. Likely God did not want anyone to marry a woman from another nation unless it was very clear that she was truly turned to the God of Israel, as a woman from one of these nations could quite easily revert to the ways of the nation she had come from. Possibly some of Solomon's wives had given up idolatry when he married them, but later turned to their idols again and possibly some had never given up their idolatry Solomon's wives would have tended to turn to their idols again especially if such was at all allowed in Israel. aV-94

Yet concerning those wives who were taken from among the captives as in Deu 21:11-15, it is true such wives largely could have been taken without them personally choosing to turn from the abominable ways of their nation to the God of Israel and taken as wife only a month after they were forcibly separated from their own nation and people. Yet such wives would have been required to submit to the ways of the people of Israel. It is quite clear that the intent of God's law was to make sure that no non reformed foreign wife would influence His people to do the abominable things of foreign nations. According to the intent of God's law it is quite clear that if a wife from another nation would have endeavored to influence her husband to do the abominations of her past people, such wives would either have been required to submit to the ways of the Israelites or been put away from her husband and Israel. aV-95

Concerning the strange wives of Solomon, such wives were involved in idol worship and Solomon rather than rejecting them because of their idol worship, even built high places for them to worship their idols. 1 Ki 11:7-8 pertaining to such reads "Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods." aV-96

The following verses clearly reveal that Israelites were not to allow any family member or any one within their gates to serve idols; aV-97

(Deu 17:2-3&5) "If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant, {3} And hath gone and served other gods... {5} Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die." aV-98

(Deu 13:6 &8-9) "If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods... {8} ...neither shall thine eye pity him... {9} But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people." aV-99

As no family member or anyone within their gates was to serve idols, and God had one law for the strangers that dwelt among them and the Israelites, it is obvious that the strangers among them neither were permitted to serve idols. God's hate for idolatry was so great that that if any city among them was starting to serve idols, the following judgments were to be acted upon that city; "If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities,... ...Let us go and serve other gods,... {14} ...and, behold, if it be truth, ...; {15} Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword. {16} And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again." (Deu 13:12-16). aV-100

It appears Solomon by taking to himself wives from other nations who had not first or truly turned to the God of Israel but were yet holding to the false gods of their own people (uncircumcised in heart) was by these wives turned away from the true God. Solomon rather than destroying idolatry among God's people actually helped promote it. aV-101

This writing was written as a result of studying marriages as in the Old Testament. This writing was written as a means to help the writer better understand how God's people in the Old Testament related to other nations (governments) and individuals from other nations. This writing was also written because the writer felt there was too many individuals that believed Israel, without exception, was to destroy all nations around them, and because he felt too many individuals believed that an Israelite was never to marry a woman from another nation, no matter what the situation was. aV-102

Considering how the Israelites in the Old Testament were not to reject the sincere stranger from other nations, and considering how God allowed the stranger from another nation to come and worship at Jerusalem, one should be reminded how God is not a respecter of persons. May those who feel they are the people of God be very careful not to despise others from the east or west or north or south. One should remember how Jesus warning those who wrongly emphasized the aspect of being God's chosen people said, "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. {12} But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Mat 8:11-12). May the reader as well as the writer, in truth be found one of those sitting down in the kingdom of God with Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Best wishes to all. aV-103

10/7/98 (Count ob 8360 2/17/01)