Deuteronomy 7 3

Deuteronomy 7:3 kjv

Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.

Deuteronomy 7:3 nkjv

Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son.

Deuteronomy 7:3 niv

Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons,

Deuteronomy 7:3 esv

You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons,

Deuteronomy 7:3 nlt

You must not intermarry with them. Do not let your daughters and sons marry their sons and daughters,

Deuteronomy 7 verses

Deuteronomy 7 3 Meaning

Deuteronomy 7:3 issues a direct and emphatic prohibition against Israel entering into marriage alliances with the native peoples of Canaan. It specifically forbids Israelite parents from allowing their daughters to marry the sons of these nations and from allowing their sons to marry the daughters of these nations. The command is a divine safeguard intended to protect Israel's spiritual integrity, loyalty, and worship exclusively to Yahweh, preventing assimilation into the idolatrous and morally corrupt practices of the Canaanites.

Deuteronomy 7 3 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 7 falls within Moses' second discourse to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This section of Deuteronomy emphasizes Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh and their identity as a distinct, holy people chosen by Him. Verses 1-2 command the complete destruction of the seven Canaanite nations, primarily to eradicate their idolatrous religious practices. Verse 3 serves as a specific elaboration of this principle of separation, addressing intermarriage. The underlying concern is not merely ethnic purity but the preservation of Israel's singular worship of Yahweh, as explained in verse 4, where the consequence of intermarriage is explicitly stated as turning Israel's heart away to other gods. This foundational command aimed to prevent syncretism and ensure the continued existence of a pure monotheistic faith within a polytheistic land.

Deuteronomy 7 3 Word analysis

• You shall not intermarry: The Hebrew word for "intermarry" is titkhatein (תִתְחַתֵּן), which comes from the root ḥātan (חָתַן). It is in the Hithpael stem, suggesting reciprocal action or reflexive involvement, meaning "to make alliance through marriage," "to become related by marriage," or "to form a marital affinity." This emphasizes a broad prohibition against any kind of familial or national union that could result from marriage, indicating a comprehensive ban on integrating through marriage with these nations. The negation "not" (lo', לֹא) renders the command absolute.
• with them: This refers to the specific nations enumerated in Deuteronomy 7:1: the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These are the peoples whose land Israel is to conquer, and whose religious and social practices pose a direct threat to Israel's covenant fidelity.
• you shall not give your daughters: This explicitly addresses the role of Israelite parents, particularly the father, in arranging or consenting to the marriage of their daughters. It specifically forbids an Israelite daughter marrying a Canaanite son. The "not" (lo', לֹא) repeats the absolute prohibition.
• to their sons: Refers to the male offspring of the aforementioned Canaanite nations. This specifies one direction of the marital exchange.
• nor take their daughters: This covers the inverse situation, explicitly prohibiting Israelite men from taking Canaanite women as wives. The verb tikakh (תִקַּח) means "to take," a common term for taking a wife.
• for your sons: Refers to the male offspring of the Israelites. This completes the prohibition, ensuring no marriage alliances occur in either direction.

• "You shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give... nor take...": This sequence presents an overarching prohibition followed by its two specific components, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of the command. The first phrase "intermarry" (singular, broad) encapsulates the specific directions ("give," "take," specific and direct actions). This dual structure makes the command exceptionally clear and leaves no room for misunderstanding or partial obedience. It emphasizes that no matrimonial connection is to be established between Israel and the listed nations.
• "your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons": This specific dual mention of "daughters" and "sons" on both sides ("Israel's daughters to Canaan's sons" and "Canaan's daughters for Israel's sons") illustrates a total and symmetrical prohibition. It ensures that neither gender from Israel is permitted to marry either gender from the Canaanite nations, sealing off all avenues for intermarriage and assimilation. This focus on offspring highlights the long-term impact on future generations and the integrity of Israel's spiritual heritage.

Deuteronomy 7 3 Bonus section

The strong prohibition against intermarriage found in Deuteronomy 7:3 and similar passages reflects a broader theological concept of separation, not for segregation's sake, but for the preservation of holiness. Israel's identity as a "holy nation" (Ex 19:6, Dt 14:2) meant they were "set apart" by God and for God. Intermarriage threatened to blur these divine boundaries, dissolving their unique relationship with Yahweh. This command thus serves as a divine hedge, protecting the purity of worship and the theological distinctiveness that underpinned the covenant. While specific to the context of the Canaanite conquest, the underlying principle that true loyalty to God demands a refusal to form compromising alliances with those who do not share that fundamental loyalty resonates throughout Scripture, culminating in New Testament teachings about maintaining a clear Christian witness in the world. This doesn't call for social isolation, but for spiritual discernment in deeply intimate and formative relationships.

Deuteronomy 7 3 Commentary

Deuteronomy 7:3 delivers a critical command to Israel, forbidding any form of marital alliance with the seven Canaanite nations they are about to displace. The absolute nature of the prohibition ("You shall not intermarry") is reinforced by detailing both facets of the ban: neither Israelite daughters are to be given to Canaanite sons, nor are Canaanite daughters to be taken for Israelite sons. The deep underlying rationale, articulated in the very next verse (Dt 7:4), is the spiritual danger these alliances pose: they would inevitably lead Israel astray from Yahweh to serve other gods, corrupting their unique identity and calling as a holy nation. This command is not a mere ethnic or racial prejudice; it is a divine mandate for spiritual preservation. It serves as a bulwark against the spiritual contamination and idolatry prevalent in Canaan, ensuring that Israel's covenant loyalty to Yahweh remains uncompromised. The subsequent history of Israel (e.g., Solomon, Ezra, Nehemiah) starkly illustrates the severe consequences of violating this principle, highlighting the profound wisdom and foresight of this divine directive. In application for believers today, this principle undergirds the New Testament call for spiritual separation, as seen in the "unequally yoked" command (2 Cor 6:14-18), where believers are likewise warned against partnerships—especially marital—with those whose foundational loyalties lie elsewhere, to prevent compromise of faith and devotion to God.