Deuteronomy 23:6

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

You shall not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days for ever.

American King James Version (AKJV)

You shall not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days for ever.

American Standard Version (ASV)

Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

Do nothing for their peace or well-being for ever.

Webster's Revision

Thou shalt not seek their peace, nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.

World English Bible

You shall not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days forever.

English Revised Version (ERV)

Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.

Barnes's Deuteronomy 23:6 Bible Commentary

i. e. "thou shalt not invite them robe on terms of amity with thee (compare Deuteronomy 20:10 ff), nor make their welfare thy care": compare Ezra 9:12. There is no injunction to hatred or retaliation (compare Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:19); but later history contains frequent record of hostility between Israel and these nations.

Wesley's Deuteronomy 23:6 Bible Commentary

23:6 Thou shalt not seek their peace - That is, make no contracts either by marriages or leagues, or commerce with them, but rather constantly keep a jealous eye over them, as enemies who will watch every opportunity to ensnare or disturb thee. This counsel was now the more necessary, because a great part of the Israelites lived beyond Jordan in the borders of those people, and therefore God sets up this wall of partition betwixt them, as well knowing the mischief of bad neighbours, and Israel's proneness to receive infection from them. Each particular Israelite is not hereby forbidden to perform any office of humanity to them, but the body of the nation are forbidden all familiar conversation with them.