Deuteronomy 23: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Deuteronomy 23 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

A man who has been emasculated cannot enter into Yahweh’s assembly (vv. 1-2). Those born from a forbidden union are also excluded.

Key verse

“for Yahweh your God walks in the middle of your camp, to deliver you, and to give up your enemies before you. Therefore your camp shall be holy, that he may not see an unclean thing in you, and turn away from you.”
Deuteronomy 23:14 (WEB)

Outline

Deuteronomy 23:1–2 Exclusions from the Assembly
Deuteronomy 23:3–4 Exclusion of Ammonites and Moabites
Deuteronomy 23:5–6 Divine Intervention and Blessing
Deuteronomy 23:7–8 Acceptance of Edomites and Egyptians
Deuteronomy 23:9–14 Maintaining Purity in Warfare
Deuteronomy 23:15–17 Treatment of Escaped Servants
Deuteronomy 23:18–25 Social Conduct and Vows

Discussion questions

Why are an Ammonite and a Moabite shut out of the assembly in vv. 3-4, and who is Balaam?
What must a runaway servant be allowed to do in vv. 15-16?
An Edomite 'is your brother' and an Egyptian hosted you as 'a foreigner' in v7: why are these two treated more gently than Moab?
The trowel of v13 and 'Yahweh your God walks in the middle of your camp' in v14: what does holiness mean here?
When have you eaten your fill in someone's vineyard but been tempted to fill a container as well (v24)?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Deuteronomy 23: Matthew 5, Nehemiah 13, Numbers 22.

Before next time: read Deuteronomy 24.