John Gill Commentary Deuteronomy 23:7

John Gill Commentary

Deuteronomy 23:7

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Deuteronomy 23:7

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian, because thou wast a sojourner in his land." — Deuteronomy 23:7 (ASV)

You shall not abhor an Edomite
Or an Idumean, the descendants of Esau, whose name was Edom, (Genesis 25:30) the Targum of Jonathan adds, "that comes to be made a proselyte"; he was not to be rejected with abhorrence, because of the old grudge between Jacob and Esau, and which was become national in their posterity:

for he is your brother ;
the Israelites and the Edomites were nearest akin to each other of all the nations; for Jacob and Esau were own brothers by father's and mother's side, yea, were twin brothers; the relation was very near:

You shall not abhor an Egyptian ;
that comes to be made a proselyte also, as the same Targum; though the Israelites were so ill used by them, their lives made bitter with hard bondage, and their male infants slain by them, and they for a long time refused their liberty to depart:

because you were a stranger in his land :
and at first received many favours and kindnesses from them, being supported and supplied with provisions during a long famine; and had one of the richest and most fruitful parts of the country assigned them to dwell in; and old favours were not to be forgotten, though they had been followed with great unkindness and cruelty.