Nehemiah 13:2 nasb — because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However…

NASB

"because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing."

— Nehemiah 13:2, NASB

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Nehemiah 13:2 in Other Translations

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Nehemiah 13 — Context

1

On that day they read aloud from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and there was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,

2

because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.

3

So when they heard the law, they excluded all foreigners from Israel.

4

Now prior to this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being related to Tobiah,

5

had prepared a large room for him, where formerly they put the grain offerings, the frankincense, the utensils and the tithes of grain, wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, the singers and the gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests.

Nehemiah 13:2 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Nehemiah 13:2 say?
Nehemiah 13:2 in the NASB reads: “because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.”
Where is Nehemiah 13:2 in the Bible?
Nehemiah 13:2 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Nehemiah, chapter 13, verse 2.
Who wrote Nehemiah?
Nehemiah is traditionally attributed to Nehemiah (largely from his memoirs). It was written c. 445–425 BC.
What is the book of Nehemiah about?
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, leads the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls against fierce opposition. The book combines stirring leadership with covenant renewal, ending with reform of priesthood, sabbath, and intermarriage.
What are the major themes of Nehemiah?
Nehemiah explores themes including Leadership, Prayer, Rebuilding, Opposition, Covenant Renewal. These themes shape the meaning and context of Nehemiah 13:2.
What translation should I read Nehemiah 13:2 in?
Nehemiah 13:2 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Nehemiah 13:2?
Nehemiah 13:2 reads (NASB): “because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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