Deuteronomy 23:6 Meaning: Why Some Doors Are Closed
You shall not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days forever.
Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.
Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.
thou dost not seek their peace and their good all thy days--to the age.
Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does God tell Israel not to seek peace or prosperity from Ammon and Moab? This command was a protective boundary, not a call to personal hatred.
Context
Deuteronomy 23 contains laws about who could belong to Israel’s worshiping community. Verses 3 through 6 specifically address Ammonites and Moabites. Their ancestors had refused Israel food and water during the wilderness journey and hired Balaam to curse God’s people. Yet verse 5 reminds Israel that God turned that curse into a blessing because He loved them. This is not a command for individuals to hold grudges. Rather, it sets a national boundary to protect Israel from the religious and moral influence of these neighboring nations. The surrounding verses make the nuance clear: Edomites and Egyptians were to be treated with greater kindness because of Israel’s history with them.
Key Words
Two English words carry the weight of this command: ‘peace’ and ‘prosperity’. The Hebrew concept behind ‘peace’ often means wholeness or a completed relationship, but in this verse it points to formal treaties and alliances. As Matthew Henry and John Wesley explain, to ‘seek their peace’ means to make contracts by marriage, league, or commerce. ‘Prosperity’ covers their general welfare and success. God is not forbidding acts of simple kindness. John Gill notes that David later showed goodwill to the Ammonite king and was not condemned for it. The prohibition operates at a national level, meant to preserve Israel’s identity so they would not learn the ways of these nations and drift from the Lord.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions agree that this verse addresses Israel as a nation, not as a model for personal relationships. Protestant commentators like Barnes and Wesley read it as a civil law restricting alliances, not a command to hate. The Catholic tradition, reflected in the Douay-Rheims translation, similarly sees a prohibition against formal peace. With Christ, the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile has been broken down. Yet many Christians still find a principle here: God sometimes calls His people to set loving boundaries with influences that would pull them away from faithfulness. The command is not about hate; it is about holy caution.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that this verse justifies personal hatred or retaliation toward Ammonites, Moabites, or any enemy. In fact, as Barnes’ Notes points out, there is ‘no injunction to hatred or retaliation’ here. The restriction applies to treaties and alliances, not private acts of human kindness. David showed goodwill to an Ammonite king and was not blamed for it. This verse protects God’s people from harmful spiritual influence; it does not invite bitterness.
Living This Out
This week, consider where your closest relationships may be leading you. God’s boundaries are protective, not arbitrary. You are not called to hate anyone, but you are called to guard what shapes your faith. If a connection consistently draws you away from obedience, it may be time to step back. Do it without bitterness. Trust that God closes some doors in order to keep you close to Him.
Main takeaway: God’s command not to seek peace with certain nations was a protective boundary for Israel, not a license for personal hatred.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God told the Israelites not to make close friends with the Ammonites and Moabites. This was to keep them safe from bad influences, not because they should be mean to them.
For ages 9, 12
This verse is about Israel as a nation, not about you personally. God knew that if they became too close with these neighbors, they would start copying their worship of false gods. Today, we are called to love everyone, but also to be wise about who influences us most. Even Jesus kept some distance from those who wanted to lead Him away from His mission. You can be kind to everyone while staying close to the people who help you follow God.
Questions People Ask
Why did God exclude Ammonites and Moabites from the congregation?
Because they refused to help Israel during the wilderness journey and hired Balaam to curse them (Deuteronomy 23:4). Their actions showed active hostility toward God's people. The exclusion was a protective measure for Israel's spiritual purity.
Does this verse contradict Jesus' command to love our enemies?
No. This verse is a national law for ancient Israel, not an individual command to hate. It forbids formal alliances and treaties, not personal kindness. Jesus' command to love enemies operates on the level of the heart. Both stand together when understood in their proper contexts.
What does 'seek their peace or their prosperity' actually mean?
It means not to initiate peace treaties, engage in commerce, or establish close alliances with these nations. Commentator John Wesley explains that it refers to 'contracts either by marriages or leagues, or commerce.' It does not forbid ordinary acts of humanity.
How should Christians today apply this verse?
Christians are not bound by Israel's civil laws, but a principle remains: be careful about close relationships that might lead you away from God. The New Testament also warns about being 'unequally yoked' in certain partnerships. Yet we are called to love everyone and share the gospel.
What about Edomites and Egyptians? Why were they treated differently?
Edomites were considered brothers (descendants of Esau), and Egyptians had given Israel shelter in a time of famine. So the law commanded kindness toward them, showing that God's commands were rooted in history and relationship, not arbitrary preference.
For pastors & researchers
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