The Assembly of YHVH

Comparing Nehemiah 13:1-3 with Deuteronomy 23:1-4

By Tim Hegg

In Deut 23:1–4 [Heb: 23:2–6], those excluded from “the assembly of YHVH” include (1) a male who has crushed testicles or whose male organ has been severed; (2) no one who is of illegitimate birth, which appears to mean “one born of an incestuous or adulterous relationship, (3) a descendant of one who was born of an incestuous or adulterous relationship, to the 10th generation; (4) an Ammonite or Moabite, to the 10th generation.

The term הוהי ל ַ הְ ק , “assembly of Adonai,” is used in different ways in the Tanach. For instance, it can denote the assembly of fighting forces or armed troops (Judges 20:1–8); perhaps elders of tribes which assembled before Rehoboam to choose a king (1Kings 12:3); an assembly of judges or adjudicators (Jer 26:17; Ezek 16:40; 23:45–47); leaders who cast lots for acquiring property (Mic 5:2); or denoting the whole nation of Israel (Ex 16:3; Lev 16:17; Numb 19:20; Deut 31:30).

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Tim Hegg

President / Instructor

Tim graduated from Cedarville University in 1973 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Bible, with a minor in Philosophy. He entered Northwest Baptist Seminary (Tacoma, WA) in 1973, completing his M.Div. (summa cum laude) in 1976. He completed his Th.M. (summa cum laude) in 1978, also from NWBS. His Master’s Thesis was titled: “The Abrahamic Covenant and the Covenant of Grant in the Ancient Near East”. Tim taught Biblical Hebrew and Hebrew Exegesis for three years as an adjunct faculty member at Corban University School of Ministry when the school was located in Tacoma. Corban University School of Ministry is now in Salem, OR. Tim is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature, and has contributed papers at the annual meetings of both societies. Since 1990, Tim has served as one of the Overseers at Beit Hallel in Tacoma, WA. He and his wife, Paulette, have four children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.