Deuteronomy 7:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israelites must not intermarry with the peoples of Canaan.
The Context of Deuteronomy 7:3
The law forbids intermarriage as a safeguard against spiritual compromise.
What Does Deuteronomy 7:3 Mean?
The prohibition on intermarriage—the exchange of daughters and taking of wives—targets the mechanism by which cultures merge and identities blur. Marriages create family bonds that would inevitably lead to sharing of beliefs, practices, and loyalties. The explicit mention of both directions (daughters given, daughters taken) shows the comprehensive nature of the boundary.
This law treats marriage as more than a personal choice; it is viewed as a political and spiritual act with covenant implications. The concern is not primarily ethnic but religious and relational—that mixed marriages would compromise Israel's exclusive covenant with the LORD.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 7:3
What does Deuteronomy 7:3 mean?
Israelites must not intermarry with the peoples of Canaan.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 7:3?
The law forbids intermarriage as a safeguard against spiritual compromise.