Nehemiah 13:25

Authorized King James Version

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And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

Original Language Analysis

וָֽאָרִ֤יב And I contended H7378
וָֽאָרִ֤יב And I contended
Strong's: H7378
Word #: 1 of 18
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
עִמָּם֙ H5973
עִמָּם֙
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 2 of 18
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וָאֲקַֽלְלֵ֔ם with them and cursed H7043
וָאֲקַֽלְלֵ֔ם with them and cursed
Strong's: H7043
Word #: 3 of 18
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
וָֽאַכֶּ֥ה them and smote H5221
וָֽאַכֶּ֥ה them and smote
Strong's: H5221
Word #: 4 of 18
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
מֵהֶ֛ם H1992
מֵהֶ֛ם
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 5 of 18
they (only used when emphatic)
אֲנָשִׁ֖ים H376
אֲנָשִׁ֖ים
Strong's: H376
Word #: 6 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וָֽאֶמְרְטֵ֑ם of them and plucked off their hair H4803
וָֽאֶמְרְטֵ֑ם of them and plucked off their hair
Strong's: H4803
Word #: 7 of 18
to polish; by implication, to make bald (the head), to gall (the shoulder); also, to sharpen
וָֽאַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣ם and made them swear H7650
וָֽאַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣ם and made them swear
Strong's: H7650
Word #: 8 of 18
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
בֵּֽאלֹהִ֗ים by God H430
בֵּֽאלֹהִ֗ים by God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 9 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 10 of 18
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תִּתְּנ֤וּ saying Ye shall not give H5414
תִּתְּנ֤וּ saying Ye shall not give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 11 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מִבְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם their daughters H1323
מִבְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם their daughters
Strong's: H1323
Word #: 12 of 18
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם unto their sons H1121
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם unto their sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 13 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְאִם H518
וְאִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 14 of 18
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תִּשְׂאוּ֙ nor take H5375
תִּשְׂאוּ֙ nor take
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 15 of 18
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
מִבְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם their daughters H1323
מִבְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם their daughters
Strong's: H1323
Word #: 16 of 18
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם unto their sons H1121
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם unto their sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 17 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְלָכֶֽם׃ H0
וְלָכֶֽם׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 18 of 18

Analysis & Commentary

And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

This verse within Nehemiah 13 addresses themes of reform, confronting compromise, vigilance, finishing well. Nehemiah's return from Persia reveals backsliding, requiring renewed reforms in areas previously addressed—showing constant vigilance's necessity. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.

Historical Context

Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. Nehemiah's final reforms address recurring covenant violations, demonstrating the ongoing challenge of maintaining spiritual commitment across generations. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.

Questions for Reflection