translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: DEU

label: NET study note

text: The Hebrew term translated “assembly” ( קָהָל , qahal ) does not refer here to the nation as such but to the formal services of the tabernacle or temple. Since emasculated or other sexually abnormal persons were commonly associated with pagan temple personnel, the thrust here may be primarily polemical in intent. One should not read into this anything having to do with the mentally and physically handicapped as fit to participate in the life and ministry of the church.


text: An Ammonite or Moabite . These descendants of Lot by his two daughters (cf. Gen 19:30-38 ) were thereby the products of incest and therefore excluded from the worshiping community. However, these two nations also failed to show proper hospitality to Israel on their way to Canaan (v. 4 ).


text: Concessions were made to the Edomites and Egyptians (as compared to the others listed in vv. 1-6 ) because the Edomites (i.e., Esauites) were full “brothers” of Israel and the Egyptians had provided security and sustenance for Israel for more than four centuries.


text: For the continuation of these practices into NT times see Matt 12:1-8 ; Mark 2:23-28 ; Luke 6:1-5 .