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:

DEUTERONOMY 23:3KJV
Know the Bible

Deuteronomy 23:3 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 23:3 mean?

Deuteronomy 23:3 says that no Ammonite or Moabite was allowed to join the assembly of the LORD, not even after ten generations, meaning this exclusion was meant to last indefinitely. This rule set a clear boundary about who could be part of the community that worshiped and served the God of Israel.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan, giving them laws about community life and worship. The Ammonites and Moabites were neighboring peoples with a history of hostility toward Israel, and this verse reflects that tension by barring them from full participation in Israel’s religious life.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 23:3

  • עַמּוֹנִי (Ammoni, "Ammonite") and מוֹאָבִי (Moavi, "Moabite"): These words refer specifically to people from the nations of Ammon and Moab, highlighting the focus on these two groups due to their past actions against Israel.
  • קָהָל (qahal, "congregation"): This word means "assembly" or "gathering," and here it refers to the community of Israelites who could participate in worship and decision-making. The exclusion is not just social but religious and civic.
  • עַד־עוֹלָם (ad olam, "for ever"): This phrase means "forever" or "perpetually," stressing that the exclusion was not just temporary but intended to be permanent.

Why Deuteronomy 23:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the exclusion was not just for a few generations but was meant to be lasting, which shows the seriousness of the offense attributed to the Ammonites and Moabites.
  • The focus on the "congregation" (qahal) shows that the law is about full membership in Israel’s worshiping community, not just physical presence or residence.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain later stories in the Bible, such as Ruth being a Moabite, and why her acceptance into Israel was so remarkable.

Where else these words appear

“Moabite” Hebrew H4125 · used in 16 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:11 Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.
  • Ruth 2:6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
  • 1 Chronicles 11:46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,

“Ammonite” Hebrew H5984 · used in 18 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:20 (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;
  • 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
  • Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

“tenth” Hebrew H6224 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 8:5 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
  • Deuteronomy 23:2 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.
  • Isaiah 6:13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

“for” Hebrew H5704 · used in 97 verses

  • Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
  • 1 Samuel 20:23 And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.
  • Job 38:11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?