Nehemiah 13:2 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Because they didn't welcome the Israelites with food and water, but instead paid Balaam to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse explains that even when enemies try to harm God's people through curses, God can transform those intended curses into blessings instead.

📚 Historical Context

This refers to events from Numbers 22-24 when the Moabites and Ammonites hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel as they traveled through the wilderness. Instead of showing hospitality to the Israelites, these nations actively sought to harm them through supernatural means. Nehemiah is referencing this ancient hostility as he works to rebuild Jerusalem and restore proper worship practices.

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Moses went back to Jethro, his father-in-law, and said to him, 'Please let me go back to my people in Egypt to see if they are still alive.' And Jethro said to Moses, 'Go in peace.'

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