Deuteronomy 7:3 - You shall not make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter for your son.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Deuteronomy 7:3" mean?
Deuteronomy 7:3, "You shall not make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter for your son," is a prohibition against intermarriage with the nations listed in the preceding verses. These nations were the inhabitants of the land God was giving to Israel.
Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"You shall not make marriages with them...": This is the core prohibition. It's a blanket statement forbidding any marriage between Israelites and the people of these specified nations.
"You shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter for your son.": This elaborates on the first part, specifying how the marriages are prohibited. It clarifies that both directions of marriage, where an Israelite woman marries a foreign man or an Israelite man marries a foreign woman, are forbidden.
Context and Reasons Behind the Prohibition
To fully understand the verse, it's crucial to consider the surrounding context within Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative:
Religious Purity and Idolatry: The primary reason for prohibiting intermarriage was the fear that it would lead the Israelites into idolatry and away from worshipping the one true God. Foreign spouses would bring their own gods and religious practices into the Israelite household, potentially influencing the Israelite partner and their children to abandon the covenant with God. Deuteronomy 7:4 explicitly states: "for they will turn away your children from following me to serve other gods."
Preserving Israel's Identity: God had chosen Israel as a distinct people, set apart for a specific purpose. Intermarriage threatened to dilute this identity, both religiously and culturally. Maintaining separation from other nations was seen as essential for preserving the unique characteristics and mission of Israel.
Conquest and Possession of the Land: The nations mentioned in Deuteronomy 7 were those inhabiting the land that God was giving to Israel. Intermarriage could hinder the complete conquest and expulsion of these nations, allowing their corrupting influences to persist within the land.
Interpretations and Applications
This verse has been interpreted in various ways throughout history:
Literal Interpretation: Some groups maintain a strict literal interpretation, believing that any marriage between people of different religions or cultures is prohibited.
Historical Context: Others emphasize the historical context, arguing that the prohibition was specifically related to the danger of idolatry posed by the surrounding nations at that particular time in Israel's history.
Principles of Spiritual Purity: Some interpret the verse as a broader principle about the importance of spiritual compatibility in marriage. They believe that marriage should be between people who share a common faith and commitment to God.
Exclusivity vs. Inclusion: The prohibition on intermarriage has also been used to defend policies of religious exclusivity and racial segregation. It is important to recognize that such interpretations can be harmful and contrary to the teachings of love and compassion found elsewhere in the Bible.
In summary, Deuteronomy 7:3 prohibits intermarriage with specific nations to protect Israel's religious purity, preserve its unique identity, and facilitate the conquest of the promised land. The passage is complex and has been interpreted differently throughout history, with interpretations often reflecting the social and religious values of the interpreters.
Deuteronomy 7:3 - You shall not make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter for your son.
What does "Deuteronomy 7:3" mean?
Deuteronomy 7:3, "You shall not make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter for your son," is a prohibition against intermarriage with the nations listed in the preceding verses. These nations were the inhabitants of the land God was giving to Israel.
Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"You shall not make marriages with them...": This is the core prohibition. It's a blanket statement forbidding any marriage between Israelites and the people of these specified nations.
"You shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter for your son.": This elaborates on the first part, specifying how the marriages are prohibited. It clarifies that both directions of marriage, where an Israelite woman marries a foreign man or an Israelite man marries a foreign woman, are forbidden.
Context and Reasons Behind the Prohibition
To fully understand the verse, it's crucial to consider the surrounding context within Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative:
Religious Purity and Idolatry: The primary reason for prohibiting intermarriage was the fear that it would lead the Israelites into idolatry and away from worshipping the one true God. Foreign spouses would bring their own gods and religious practices into the Israelite household, potentially influencing the Israelite partner and their children to abandon the covenant with God. Deuteronomy 7:4 explicitly states: "for they will turn away your children from following me to serve other gods."
Preserving Israel's Identity: God had chosen Israel as a distinct people, set apart for a specific purpose. Intermarriage threatened to dilute this identity, both religiously and culturally. Maintaining separation from other nations was seen as essential for preserving the unique characteristics and mission of Israel.
Conquest and Possession of the Land: The nations mentioned in Deuteronomy 7 were those inhabiting the land that God was giving to Israel. Intermarriage could hinder the complete conquest and expulsion of these nations, allowing their corrupting influences to persist within the land.
Interpretations and Applications
This verse has been interpreted in various ways throughout history:
Literal Interpretation: Some groups maintain a strict literal interpretation, believing that any marriage between people of different religions or cultures is prohibited.
Historical Context: Others emphasize the historical context, arguing that the prohibition was specifically related to the danger of idolatry posed by the surrounding nations at that particular time in Israel's history.
Principles of Spiritual Purity: Some interpret the verse as a broader principle about the importance of spiritual compatibility in marriage. They believe that marriage should be between people who share a common faith and commitment to God.
Exclusivity vs. Inclusion: The prohibition on intermarriage has also been used to defend policies of religious exclusivity and racial segregation. It is important to recognize that such interpretations can be harmful and contrary to the teachings of love and compassion found elsewhere in the Bible.
In summary, Deuteronomy 7:3 prohibits intermarriage with specific nations to protect Israel's religious purity, preserve its unique identity, and facilitate the conquest of the promised land. The passage is complex and has been interpreted differently throughout history, with interpretations often reflecting the social and religious values of the interpreters.