Nehemiah 13:26 - Didn’t 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 foreign women caused even him to sin.
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What does "Nehemiah 13:26" mean?
Nehemiah 13:26 is a warning against intermarriage with foreign women, using the example of King Solomon to illustrate the dangers. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Didn’t Solomon king of Israel sin by these things?" This immediately establishes the verse's purpose: to highlight Solomon's sin. "These things" refers to the intermarriage with foreign women that Nehemiah is condemning.
"Yet among many nations was there no king like him..." This acknowledges Solomon's greatness. He was renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and power.
"...and he was beloved of his God..." This further emphasizes Solomon's privileged position. He enjoyed God's favor and love.
"...and God made him king over all Israel." God specifically chose Solomon to be king, solidifying his authority and divine endorsement.
"Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin." This is the crucial point. Despite his exceptional status and God's blessings, Solomon was led astray by his foreign wives. They influenced him to worship their gods, turning his heart away from the Lord.
In essence, the verse argues:
Even someone as great and favored as Solomon was vulnerable to the negative influence of foreign women and their religious practices.
If Solomon could be led into sin through these relationships, so could anyone else.
Therefore, the Israelites should heed the warning and avoid intermarriage with foreign women to protect themselves from idolatry and disobedience to God.
The verse isn't downplaying Solomon's achievements. Rather, it's using his story as a cautionary tale. His fall from grace is all the more striking because of his initial stature. It serves as a powerful reminder that no one, regardless of their position or past righteousness, is immune to temptation.
Nehemiah 13:26 - Didn’t 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 foreign women caused even him to sin.
What does "Nehemiah 13:26" mean?
Nehemiah 13:26 is a warning against intermarriage with foreign women, using the example of King Solomon to illustrate the dangers. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Didn’t Solomon king of Israel sin by these things?" This immediately establishes the verse's purpose: to highlight Solomon's sin. "These things" refers to the intermarriage with foreign women that Nehemiah is condemning.
"Yet among many nations was there no king like him..." This acknowledges Solomon's greatness. He was renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and power.
"...and he was beloved of his God..." This further emphasizes Solomon's privileged position. He enjoyed God's favor and love.
"...and God made him king over all Israel." God specifically chose Solomon to be king, solidifying his authority and divine endorsement.
"Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin." This is the crucial point. Despite his exceptional status and God's blessings, Solomon was led astray by his foreign wives. They influenced him to worship their gods, turning his heart away from the Lord.
In essence, the verse argues:
Even someone as great and favored as Solomon was vulnerable to the negative influence of foreign women and their religious practices.
If Solomon could be led into sin through these relationships, so could anyone else.
Therefore, the Israelites should heed the warning and avoid intermarriage with foreign women to protect themselves from idolatry and disobedience to God.
The verse isn't downplaying Solomon's achievements. Rather, it's using his story as a cautionary tale. His fall from grace is all the more striking because of his initial stature. It serves as a powerful reminder that no one, regardless of their position or past righteousness, is immune to temptation.