And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.

NEHEMIAH 13:24KJV
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Nehemiah 13:24 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 13:24 mean?

Nehemiah 13:24 describes how the children of certain Jewish families spoke partly in the language of Ashdod and could not speak the language of the Jews, instead using the languages of the surrounding peoples. This verse shows a loss of the Jewish language and culture among the next generation due to intermarriage with foreign groups.

Nehemiah, the governor of Jerusalem, is observing the effects of Jewish men marrying women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. He notices that their children are growing up without knowing how to speak Hebrew (the Jews’ language), but instead speak the languages of their mothers’ peoples. This situation troubles Nehemiah because it signals a weakening of Jewish identity and tradition.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 13:24

  • "children" (בֵּן, ben): This word refers to sons or children, emphasizing that it is the next generation affected by the language shift.
  • "half" (חֵצִי, chetsi): This word means "half," showing that the children’s speech was mixed—partly in Ashdod’s language and not fully in Hebrew.
  • "language" (יְהוּדִי, yehudi): This word means "the Jews’ language," which here refers to Hebrew. The verse highlights that the children could not speak it, which is significant for cultural and religious identity.
  • "language" (לָשׁוֹן, lashon): This word means "tongue" or "language," used here to describe the different languages spoken by the children, depending on their mother’s background.

Why Nehemiah 13:24 matters

  • Nehemiah 13:24 clarifies that the concern was not just about marriage to foreigners, but about the loss of the Hebrew language and, with it, Jewish religious and cultural identity.
  • The verse emphasizes how quickly cultural assimilation can happen, especially through language, when families do not maintain their traditions.
  • This verse connects to Nehemiah’s larger efforts to restore and protect Jewish worship, law, and community life after the exile, showing the practical challenges faced by the returned exiles.

Where else these words appear

“language” Hebrew H3066 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:26 Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
  • 2 Kings 18:28 Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:
  • Isaiah 36:11 Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

“could” Hebrew H5234 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 27:23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.
  • Ruth 2:19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
  • Job 24:13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.

“half” Hebrew H2677 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Joshua 13:31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:71 Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:

“language” Hebrew H3956 · used in 115 verses

  • Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
  • Psalms 45:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
  • Proverbs 25:23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.