Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
Because they didn't offer you food and water when you were traveling after leaving Egypt, and because they hired Balaam (the son of Beor from Pethor in Mesopotamia) to put a curse on you.
This verse explains why God excluded certain nations from Israel's community - because they showed hostility instead of hospitality when Israel was vulnerable, and even tried to have them cursed.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is recounting the Israelites' history as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, emphasizing God's laws and the reasons for excluding certain nations. The verse refers to the Moabites and Ammonites, who showed hostility during the Exodus by refusing to provide food and water to the Israelites as they traveled through the desert. Additionally, these nations hired the prophet Balaam from Mesopotamia to curse the Israelites, but God intervened and turned his curses into blessings, as detailed in the book of Numbers.
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