Tyndale Open Study NotesDeuteronomy 23

Emasculation is the removal of a man’s sexual organs. In the ancient world, it was sometimes linked to pagan rituals and customs. Such practices were deeply offensive to the Lord (compare Isaiah 56:3–4).

• No Ammonite or Moabite: The Ammonites and Moabites were descendants of Lot (see study notes on 2:9, 19). Their origin came from an unlawful family relationship.

  Later, these nations refused to let Israel pass through their land during the wilderness journey (23:4).

• The phrase even to the tenth generation does not mean only ten literal generations. It refers to a very long or indefinite period of time.

• Pethor is now identified with Pitru in Mesopotamia (see study note on Numbers 22:5–6).

• Aram-naharaim means "Aram of the two rivers." It was located between the Euphrates River and the Balih River in upper Mesopotamia.

The Edomites were descendants of Jacob’s brother, Esau (see 2:8).

third generation: After a waiting period of three generations, Edomites and Egyptians who lived among Israel could join in worship of the Lord.

This time of probation (a period of testing or waiting) came before they were fully accepted into the community of faith.

a nocturnal emission: A nocturnal emission is a discharge of semen that happens during sleep. It may occur without intention or control.

Even though it was not deliberate, it made a man ceremonially unclean (not fit for worship for a time; see Leviticus 15:16–18).

outside the camp: Human waste is a normal bodily function. However, in Israel’s law it made a person ritually unclean (not fit for worship for a time).

Because God is holy, the camp had to remain clean. For this reason, people had to go outside the camp when relieving themselves.

It would be unclean and shameful to have an open toilet area near the camp. It would be even worse to have it inside the camp.

anything unclean (literally nakedness of a thing): Because the camp of God’s army was holy (set apart for him), the people had to keep it pure. For this reason, no one was to expose private parts of the body inside the camp (compare Genesis 2:25; 3:7–11; 9:21–23; Exodus 20:26; Isaiah 47:3; Revelation 3:18).

A temple prostitute was commonly a part of Canaanite religious ceremonies, but they were forbidden in Israel.

male: The Hebrew word used here literally means “dog.” In this context, it was a strong insult. It was used for men who were involved in same-sex acts connected with Canaanite religious practices.

The word translated as interest is related to a noun meaning "bite." Charging interest was like "biting" the debtor. See also Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36–37; Nehemiah 5:1–13; Psalm 15:5.

your neighbor’s vineyard: In a way, God owned all the land and gave it to people. So, no one could claim it as only theirs.

But renters had rights to privacy and some control over their land. People could enter the land, but not to steal. People could pick a few grapes or grain kernels to eat while passing by (see Matthew 12:1–8; Mark 2:23–28; Luke 6:1–5).