Nehemiah 13:2 Meaning and Explanation
“Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The reason for the exclusion is recalled: these nations withheld kindness and hired Balaam to curse Israel, yet God turned that curse into blessing.
What Does Nehemiah 13:2 Mean?
The verse looks back to Israel's wilderness journey, when Moab and Ammon refused even bread and water and paid the prophet Balaam to call down a curse. The story is preserved in Numbers, where every attempted curse came out of Balaam's mouth as blessing instead.
What men intended for harm, God overruled for good. No hired word and no human malice can finally stand against those He has chosen to bless. This is the steady pattern of Scripture, reaching its height at the cross, where the deepest plot against the righteous became the fountain of salvation for the world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 13:2
What does Nehemiah 13:2 mean?
The reason for the exclusion is recalled: these nations withheld kindness and hired Balaam to curse Israel, yet God turned that curse into blessing.