Deuteronomy 23:1
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
He that is wounded in the stones, or has his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
American King James Version (AKJV)
He that is wounded in the stones, or has his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
American Standard Version (ASV)
He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the assembly of Jehovah.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
No man whose private parts have been wounded or cut off may come into the meeting of the Lord's people.
Webster's Revision
He that is wounded or mutilated in his secrets, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
World English Bible
He who is wounded in the stones, or has his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the assembly of Yahweh.
English Revised Version (ERV)
He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD.
Clarke's Deuteronomy 23:1 Bible Commentary
Shall not enter into the congregation, etc. - If by entering the congregation be meant the bearing a civil office among the people, such as magistrate, judge, etc., then the reason of the law is very plain; no man with any such personal defect as might render him contemptible in the sight of others should bear rule among the people, lest the contempt felt for his personal defects might be transferred to his important office, and thus his authority be disregarded. The general meaning of these words is, simply, that the persons here designated should not be so incorporated with the Jews as to partake of their civil privileges.
Barnes's Deuteronomy 23:1 Bible Commentary
Compare Leviticus 21:17-24. Such persons, exhibiting a mutilation of that human nature which was made in God's image, were rejected from the covenant entirely. However, they could be proselytes (compare Acts 8:27). The Old Testament itself foretells Isaiah 56:3-5 the removal of this ban when under the kingdom of Messiah the outward and emblematic perfection and sanctity of Israel should be fulfilled in their inner meaning by the covenanted presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the Church.
Wesley's Deuteronomy 23:1 Bible Commentary
23:1 He that is wounded - A phrase denoting an eunuch. Shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord - Shall not be admitted to honours and offices either in the church or commonwealth of Israel; and so the congregation of the Lord doth not here signify, the body of the people, but the society of the elders or rulers of the people. Add to this, that the Hebrew word, Kahal, generally signifies a congregation or company of men met together; and therefore this cannot so conveniently be meant of all the body of the people, which could never meet in one place, but of the chief rulers, which frequently did so. Nor is it strange that eunuchs are excluded from government, both because such persons are commonly observed to want that courage which is necessary for a governor, because as such persons ordinarily were despicable, so the authority in their hands was likely to be exposed to the same contempt.
