BibleWord.ai› Bible› Nehemiah› Chapter 13› Verse 24

Nehemiah 13:24

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 13:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 13:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
22And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember unto me, O my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy lovingkindness.
23In those days also saw I the Jews that had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, [and] of Moab:
24and 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.
25And 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 for your sons, or for yourselves.
26Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin.
27Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?
← Nehemiah 13:23Nehemiah 13:25 →
← Full Chapter 13 Nehemiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, etc.] Which they learned of their mothers, so that it was a mixed language they spoke, partly Jewish and partly Philistine; but some refer this not to their speech, but to the number of their children; that half of them, which Jarchi interprets many of them, spoke in the language of Ashdod, even as many as were most with their mothers, and chiefly brought up by them: and could not speak in the Jews’ language; not at all, or so much as to be understood well, which inclines to the last sense: but according to the language of each people; their mothers were of, whether of Ashdod, or of Ammon, or of Moab.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people--a mongrel dialect imbibed from their mothers, together with foreign principles and habits.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The speech of Ashdod - The Philistine language, which was akin to that of Egypt. According to the language of each people - The children spoke a mixed dialect - half-Philistine, half-Hebrew. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“could not speak: Heb. they discerned not to speak each people: Heb. people and people, Zep 3:9 Nehemiah 13:25”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Nehemiah 13 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification