John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. Thou shall not abhor an Edomite , etc.] 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 thy 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: thou 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 thou wast 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - We ought to value the privileges of God's people, both for ourselve and for our children, above all other advantages. No persona blemishes, no crimes of our forefathers, no difference of nation, shut us out under the Christian dispensation. But an unsound heart wil deprive us of blessings; and a bad example, or an unsuitable marriage may shut our children from them.
Original Hebrew לא3808 תתעב8581 אדמי130 כי3588 אחיך251 הוא1931 לא3808 תתעב8581 מצרי4713 כי3588 גר1616 היית1961 בארצו׃776
