Nehemiah 13:24 — Meaning and Application

And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and {that} they should come {and} keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, {concerning} this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. {greatness: or, multitude}

In those days also saw I Jews {that} had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, {and} of Moab: {had...: Heb. had made to dwell with them}

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. {could...: Heb. they discerned not to speak} {of each...: Heb. of people and people}

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. {cursed: or, reviled}

Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.