Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 23

Verses 1-25

Chapter 23

In chapter twenty-three, we find those that were restricted from coming into the temple. Eunuchs were forbidden in the temple.

An Ammonite or Moabite was forbidden unto the tenth generation, for their failure to help the children of Israel during their wilderness experiences, and because they hired Balaam to curse them. And you're not to seek their peace or their prosperity. However an Edomite; being the descendents of Esau: and the Egyptians; because you were a stranger in their land. They may be brought into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation ( Deuteronomy 23:3-8 ).

Now, there are certain rules of cleanliness and sanitation that are given to them here that are very practical and I don't need to read them or rehearse them for you.

And in verse fifteen,

Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master to you. There shall be no whores of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite among the sons of Israel. You're not to bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD for any vow that you want to make unto God: for these are an abomination unto the LORD thy God. You're not to lend upon usury to your brother; that is of money, or victuals, or of anything that is lent upon usury: to a stranger you may lend with usury; but unto your brother you shall not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that you set your hand to do in the land for wherever you goeth. And when you vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it; and if you do not pay your vow it will be a sin to you. That which has gone out of your lips, you shall keep and perform it; the freewill offering, according as you have vowed unto the LORD, and you promised with your mouth. Now, when you come into your neighbor's vineyard, you may eat all of the grapes you want; but you're not to put any in a container to carry out of the vineyard ( Deuteronomy 23:15-24 ).

In other words, you go into a field, you're allowed to eat all of the grapes that you can hold while you're in the field, but you can't carry them out of the field except in your stomach.

When you come into the standing corn of your neighbor, you may pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle to your neighbor's ( Deuteronomy 23:25 )

In other words, what you can carry out with your hand, but you're not to take a sickle to his standing corn.

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