Deuteronomy 23:7 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 23:7 mean?

Deuteronomy 23:7 instructs the Israelites not to hate or despise an Edomite or an Egyptian, giving the reasons that the Edomites are related to them and that the Israelites were once foreigners in Egypt. The verse calls for a basic respect toward these two groups, despite past conflicts or hardships.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the promised land, giving them laws for how to live as a community. This verse stands out because it tells the Israelites to show restraint and fairness even toward groups that had caused them trouble—Edomites, who are descended from Esau (Jacob’s brother), and Egyptians, who had enslaved them. The command is rooted in shared ancestry and the experience of being outsiders.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 23:7

• The word "abhor" (תָּעַב, taʿav) means to detest or deeply despise. The use of this strong word shows that the command is not just about outward actions, but about the attitude of the heart toward these groups.
• "Edomite" (אֲדֹמִי, ʾedomi) refers to descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother, highlighting a family connection. The verse’s reason, "for he is thy brother," is tied directly to this word.
• "Brother" (אָח, ʾach) is used here to stress kinship, reminding the Israelites that the Edomites are not just neighbors but family.
• "Egyptian" (מִצְרִי, mitsri) and "stranger" (גֵּר, ger) point to the Israelites’ history as foreigners in Egypt. The word "stranger" (ger) often means someone living in a land not their own, underlining empathy for outsiders.
• "Land" (אֶרֶץ, ʾerets) refers to Egypt as the place where the Israelites once lived as foreigners, connecting the command to their shared story.

Why Deuteronomy 23:7 matters

• This verse corrects the idea that Israel’s laws were only about separating from outsiders; here, the law calls for respect and even a kind of solidarity with certain foreigners.
• The verse highlights the importance of memory—remembering both family ties (with Edom) and shared experiences of being vulnerable (in Egypt).
• In the wider context, Deuteronomy 23 sets limits on exclusion and inclusion, showing that Israel’s identity was shaped by both boundaries and bridges with other peoples.