Deuteronomy 23:3 states, “No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the LORD. Even to the tenth generation, none of them may enter the assembly of the LORD forever.” This paper will explore how this law was understood and applied at various times in Israel’s history. A key moment where this law influenced Israel’s actions is found in Nehemiah 13, where Nehemiah enforced the separation of foreigners from the assembly. This example demonstrates that Israel took the law of exclusion seriously, at least during the post-exilic time period.
Additionally, this paper will examine how Deuteronomy 23:3 should be understood in light of God’s promise to bless the nations in the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12:3). This broader context invites important reflection on how the law was intended to function in relation to God’s overarching plan for the nations.
The paper will also address the apparent tension between this law and the acceptance of Ruth, a Moabite, into the Israelite community. Four primary arguments will be critically analyzed: (1) the law did not apply to Moabite females, (2) Ruth was an exception to the law, (3) the law was ignored in Ruth’s case, and (4) the law was an ideal rather than a rigid exclusion. The paper will conclude by arguing that Ruth’s inclusion aligns with the intent of the law of exclusion in Deuteronomy 23:3, as she became an Israelite through assimilation.