Nehemiah 13:24
Nehemiah 13:24 in Multiple Translations
Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah.
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.
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.
And their children were talking half in the language of Ashdod; they had no knowledge of the Jews' language, but made use of the language of the two peoples.
Half their children could only speak the language of Ashdod or that of another people, and didn't know how to speak the language of Judah.
And their children spake halfe in ye speach of Ashdod, and could not speake in the Iewes language, and according to the language of the one people, and of the other people.
And of their sons, half are speaking Ashdoditish — and are not knowing to speak Jewish — and according to the language of people and people.
and their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people.
And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews language, but according to the language of each people.
And their children spoke half in the speech of Azotus, and could not speak the Jews’ language, but they spoke according to the language of this and that people.
The result was that half of their children spoke the language that people in Ashdod speak or some other language, and they didn’t know how to speak our language.
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 13:24
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Nehemiah 13:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/בְנֵי/הֶ֗ם
חֲצִי֙
מְדַבֵּ֣ר
אַשְׁדּוֹדִ֔ית
וְ/אֵינָ֥/ם
מַכִּירִ֖ים
לְ/דַבֵּ֣ר
יְהוּדִ֑ית
וְ/כִ/לְשׁ֖וֹן
עַ֥ם
וָ/עָֽם
וּ/בְנֵי/הֶ֗ם
bên
H1121
son
Conj | N-mp | Suff
חֲצִי֙
chêtsîy
H2677
half
N-ms
מְדַבֵּ֣ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel
אַשְׁדּוֹדִ֔ית
ʼAshdôwdîyth
H797
Ashdod
Ngfsa
וְ/אֵינָ֥/ם
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Conj | Part | Suff
מַכִּירִ֖ים
nâkar
H5234
to recognize
V-Hiphil
לְ/דַבֵּ֣ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
יְהוּדִ֑ית
Yᵉhûwdîyth
H3066
Jewish
Ngfsa
וְ/כִ/לְשׁ֖וֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
tongue
Conj | Prep | N-cs
עַ֥ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms
וָ/עָֽם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Conj | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 13:24
וּ/בְנֵי/הֶ֗ם
bên
H1121
"son"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
חֲצִי֙
chêtsîy
H2677
"half"
N-ms
This word means half or middle, describing a division or a part of something. It is used to talk about physical things or time, like half of the day. The Bible uses it in various contexts.
Definition: 1) half 1a) half 1b) middle
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: half, middle, mid(-night), midst, part, two parts. See also: Exodus 12:29; Ruth 3:8; Psalms 102:25.
מְדַבֵּ֣ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
אַשְׁדּוֹדִ֔ית
ʼAshdôwdîyth
H797
"Ashdod"
Ngfsa
Ashdodite refers to the language spoken in Ashdod, a city in the Bible. It is mentioned as a distinct dialect in the KJV translation.
Definition: Ashdodites = "I will spoil" language of Ashdod Another spelling of ash.dod (אַשְׁדּוֹד "Ashdod" H0795)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: in the speech of Ashdod. See also: Nehemiah 13:24.
וְ/אֵינָ֥/ם
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Conj | Part | Suff
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
מַכִּירִ֖ים
nâkar
H5234
"to recognize"
V-Hiphil
To alienate or treat as foreign, as seen in the story of Moses and the Egyptians in Exodus. This verb means to scrutinize or look intently at someone, often with suspicion or disregard. It is used to describe the actions of biblical characters towards others.
Definition: 1) to recognise, acknowledge, know, respect, discern, regard 1a) (Niphal) to be recognised 1b) (Piel) to regard 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to regard, observe, pay attention to, pay regard to, notice 1c2) to recognise (as formerly known), perceive 1c3) to be willing to recognise or acknowledge, acknowledge with honour 1c4) to be acquainted with 1c5) to distinguish, understand 1d) (Hithpael) to make oneself known
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, [idiom] could, deliver, discern, dissemble, estrange, feign self to be another, know, take knowledge (notice), perceive, regard, (have) respect, behave (make) self strange(-ly). See also: Genesis 27:23; 1 Kings 20:41; Psalms 103:16.
לְ/דַבֵּ֣ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
יְהוּדִ֑ית
Yᵉhûwdîyth
H3066
"Jewish"
Ngfsa
Refers to the Jewish language, as seen in the Bible when Jesus spoke in the Jews' language. This term is used to describe the Hebrew language. It appears in the New Testament.
Definition: § in the Jewish language, in Hebrew
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: in the Jews' language. See also: 2 Kings 18:26; Nehemiah 13:24; Isaiah 36:11.
וְ/כִ/לְשׁ֖וֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
"tongue"
Conj | Prep | N-cs
The tongue, used for eating, speaking, or describing a language. In the Bible, it appears in many books, including Genesis 11:1 and Acts 2:4.
Definition: : tongue/words 1) tongue 1a) tongue (of men) 1a1) tongue (literal) 1a2) tongue (organ of speech) 1b) language 1c) tongue (of animals) 1d) tongue (of fire) 1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge. See also: Genesis 10:5; Psalms 126:2; Psalms 5:10.
עַ֥ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
וָ/עָֽם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Conj | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
Study Notes — Nehemiah 13:24
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Nehemiah 13:24 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 13:24
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 13:24
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:24
- Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:24
- Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:24
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:24
- Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 13:24
- Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 13:24
- Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:24
- Sermons on Nehemiah 13:24
Context — Intermarriage Forbidden
22Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion.
23In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
24Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah.
25I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! 26Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zephaniah 3:9 | For then I will restore pure lips to the peoples, that all may call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder. |
Nehemiah 13:24 Summary
This verse is talking about how some of the Jewish people had married people from other nations and their children were not learning the language of their ancestors. This was a problem because it meant that the children were not being taught about God and the ways of their ancestors, as seen in Nehemiah 13:24. It's like if we didn't teach our own children about God and how to follow Him, they might not know how to live a life that pleases Him (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). We should make sure to teach our children about God and His ways, just like the Bible tells us to, so that they can grow up to love and follow Him (Psalm 78:4).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that half of the children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples?
This means that the children of the Jews who had married women from other nations were not being taught the language of their ancestors, but instead were learning the languages of their mothers, as seen in Nehemiah 13:24, which is a sign of the cultural and spiritual assimilation that was happening.
Why was it a problem that the children could not speak the language of Judah?
The language of Judah was closely tied to the Jewish culture and faith, and not being able to speak it meant that the children were not being taught the ways of their ancestors, including the scriptures and the worship of the one true God, as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
How does this verse relate to the importance of passing on our faith to the next generation?
This verse highlights the importance of teaching our children the ways of the Lord and passing on our faith to them, as seen in Psalm 78:4, so that they can continue to walk in the ways of God and not be assimilated into the cultures of the world around them.
What can we learn from this verse about the importance of language and culture in our spiritual lives?
This verse teaches us that language and culture can have a significant impact on our spiritual lives, and that as believers, we should be careful to pass on our faith and cultural heritage to our children, while also being mindful of the influences of the world around us, as warned in 1 John 2:15-17.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can ensure that my own children or the children in my life are being taught the ways of the Lord and the language of our faith?
- How can I balance the need to be in the world but not of the world, as Jesus taught in John 17:14-16, and what does this mean for my own life and the lives of those around me?
- In what ways am I being influenced by the cultures and languages of the world around me, and how can I ensure that I am not being assimilated into these cultures in a way that compromises my faith?
- What can I learn from the example of the Jews in Nehemiah 13:24, and how can I apply these lessons to my own life and the lives of those around me?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 13:24
And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod,.... Which they learned of their mothers, so that it was a mixed language they spoke, partly Jewish and partly Philistine; but some refer this
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 13:24
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:24
Which their mothers instilled into them, together with their principles and manners.
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:24
Nehemiah 13:24 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.Ver. 24. And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod] They had a mixture of their mother’ s both speech and spirit: the birth followed the belly, the conclusion followed the weaker proposition. And could not speak in the Jews’ language] Though it were that of their fathers. Mothers are most about children, and have the greater advantage to perfume them, or poison them. But what mad fellows were those old Britons or Welshmen, who driven out of their own country by the Saxons, came into Little Britain in France; where, when they had married wives, they are said to have cut out their tongues, lest they should corrupt the language of their children! Hence the British or Welsh language remaineth still in that country.
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:24
(24) Half in the speech of Ashdod.—A mixture of Philistine and Aramaic.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:24
Verse 24. Half in the speech of Ashdod] There were children in the same family by Jewish and Philistine mothers. As the Jewish mother would always speak to her children in Hebrew or Chaldee, so they learnt to speak these languages; and as the Ashdod mother would always speak to her children in the Ashdod language, so they learnt that tongue. Thus there were, in the same family, children who could not understand each other; half, or one part, speaking one language, and the other part another. Children of different wives did not ordinarily mingle together; and the wives had separate apartments. This is a better explanation than that which intimates that the same child spoke a jargon, half Ashdod and half Hebrew.
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 13:24
24. spake half in the speech of Ashdod] LXX. οἱυἱοὶαὐτῶνἥμισυλαλοῦσινἈζωτιστί. Vulg. ‘filii eorum ex media parte loquebantur Azotice,’ half their words were framed in the dialect of Philistia. This dialect would be very similar to Hebrew, but from accent and the use of peculiar words almost unintelligible to the Jews. On the relations of the Jews with Ashdod, see on Nehemiah 4:7, and compare Zechariah 9:6. in the Jews’ language] i.e. Hebrew (‘Yehudξth’) LXX. Ἰουδαϊστί. Vulg. ‘Judaice’ as in 2 Kings 18:26; 2 Kings 18:28; Isaiah 36:11; Isaiah 36:13; 2 Chronicles 32:18. The language of Hezekiah’s reign was still spoken by the Jews after the Return, as indeed would be abundantly shown by these memorials of Ezra and Nehemiah and by the writings of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. On the mistaken idea that during the Captivity the Jews had exchanged Hebrew for Chaldee, i.e. Aramaic, see Introd. § 8. but according to the language of each people] Referring to the Ammonites and Moabites, who represented dialectical varieties.
Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 13:24
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.
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 13:24
24. The speech of Ashdod — Supposed to have been an Indo-Germanic language. Not speak… Jews’ language — Hebrew, and none of them knowing to speak Jewish. The children would naturally speak the language of their mothers.
Sermons on Nehemiah 13:24
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Epistle 191 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of adhering to the single, true language inspired by the Spirit of God, warning against the confusion and hypocrisy that arises from adopting t |
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Prayer That Changes Things by Herald Weitsz | In this sermon, Eddie Leo from Indonesia emphasizes the importance of the 49-day encounter as a remedy for spiritual struggles. He highlights the efforts made by Mark Hodges to ref |
|
Bible Survey - Zephaniah by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the prophet Zephaniah, who delivered prophecies during the reign of King Josiah, calling for repentance and seeking righteousness and humility. Zephaniah' |
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Our Accomplishments or God's Gifts? by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches on the contrasting spirits of Cain and Seth as seen in Genesis chapter 4, highlighting the dangers of pride and the importance of humility in acknowledging God' |