Deuteronomy 23:14

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 23:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “for Jehovah thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy, that he may not see an unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

for Jehovah thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy, that he may not see an unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.
Deuteronomy 23:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14for Jehovah thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy, that he may not see an unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The whole passage refers not to the encampments of the nation while passing from Egypt through the wilderness, but to future warlike expeditions seat out from Canaan. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:14 shameful thing (literally nakedness of a thing): Because the camp of God’s army was holy, it was necessary that nakedness, especially of the genitalia, not be exposed within the camp (cp. Gen 2:25; 3:7-11; 9:21-23; Exod 20:26; Isa 47:3; Rev 3:18).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“walketh: Gen 17:1; Lev 26:12; Co2 6:16 unclean thing: Heb. nakedness of any thing Deuteronomy 23:15”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification