Deuteronomy 23 in the early church

90 passages quote, allude to, or echo Deuteronomy 23, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 24 · 25

Deuteronomy 23:1

No man with crushed or severed genitals may enter the assembly of the LORD.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:1Exhortation to the Greeks 2.25 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 190–200
Deut 23:1 (23:2 LXX)Miscellanies 3.15.99 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Deut 23:1On Prayer 20.1 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 233–234
Deut 23:1 (23:2 LXX)Commentary on Matthew 15.3 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 246–248
Deut 23:1Preparation for the Gospel 8.7.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, low confidenceca. 313–324
Deut 23:1History of the Arians 38 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 357
Deut 23:1Letter 10, canons of the Roman synod to the bishops of Gaul, chapter 13 · Siricius, bishop of Romequotation, high confidence385

Deuteronomy 23:2

No one of illegitimate birth may enter the assembly of the LORD, nor may any of his descendants, even to the tenth generation.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:2Exhortation to the Greeks 2.25 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 190–200
Deut 23:2On Prayer 20.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–234
Deut 23:2Book 5, section 21 · Seduliusallusion, medium confidenceca. 425-450

Deuteronomy 23:3

No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:3–4Against Marcion 4.24 · Tertullianallusion, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Deut 23:3Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 809 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Deut 23:3On Prayer 20.1 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 233–234
Deut 23:3–8Demonstration 11.9 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345
Deut 23:3Homilies on the Psalms 59.4 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 360-378
Deut 23:3Tractates on the Psalms 59.11 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, medium confidenceca. 360–367
Deut 23:3Oration 2.38 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Deut 23:3Oration 42.18 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Deut 23:3Letter 22.8 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Deut 23:3Explanation of Twelve Psalms 48.26.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397

Deuteronomy 23:4

For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:4Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 809 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Deut 23:4Historia monachorum, chapter 21 · Rufinus of Aquileiaallusion, high confidenceGreek original ca. 394-395; Rufinus's Latin ca. 404-406

Deuteronomy 23:5

Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:5On the Life of Moses 421 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, medium confidenceca. 385–395

Deuteronomy 23:6

You are not to seek peace or prosperity from them as long as you live.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:6On Not Agreeing with Heretics 2 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361

Deuteronomy 23:7

Do not despise an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not despise an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:7Miscellanies 2.18.88 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Deut 23:7–8On First Principles 3.1.23 · Origenecho, low confidenceca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398)
Deut 23:7On Prayer 20.1 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 233–234
Deut 23:7Homily on Luke 12 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–250
Deut 23:7Homilies on Numbers 11.7 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 23:7Letter 121.8 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Deut 23:7Apostolic Constitutions 2.53.6 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Deut 23:7Apostolic Constitutions 7.2.3 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Deut 23:7The Conferences 5.19 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Deuteronomy 23:8

The third generation of children born to them may enter the assembly of the LORD.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:8On Prayer 20.1 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 233–234
Deut 23:8Homily on Luke 12 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–250
Deut 23:8Homilies on Leviticus 5.3 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 23:8Homilies on Numbers 11.7 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 23:8Prophetic Extracts 4.11 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, low confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)

Deuteronomy 23:10

If any man among you becomes unclean because of a nocturnal emission, he must leave the camp and stay outside.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:10The Conferences 12.2 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429
Deut 23:10The Conferences 22.5 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Deuteronomy 23:11

When evening approaches, he must wash with water, and when the sun sets he may return to the camp.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:11Homilies on Matthew 51.3 · John Chrysostomallusion, low confidenceca. 390
Deut 23:11The Conferences 12.2 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429
Deut 23:11The Conferences 22.5 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Deuteronomy 23:12

You must have a place outside the camp to go and relieve yourself.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:12–14Refutation of All Heresies 9.25.3 · Hippolytus of Romeecho, medium confidenceca. 222–235

Deuteronomy 23:13

And you must have a digging tool in your equipment so that when you relieve yourself you can dig a hole and cover up your excrement.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:13Preparation for the Gospel 9.3.17 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 313–324

Deuteronomy 23:14

For the LORD your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, lest He see anything unclean among you and turn away from you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:14Sermon 68 · Peter Chrysologusallusion, medium confidenceca. 425-450

Deuteronomy 23:15

Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:15Miscellanies 2.18.91 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Deut 23:15Arabic Pentateuch fragment XXIV (on Deut 19–23) · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Deut 23:15–18Deuteronomy, lines 103–127 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.

Deuteronomy 23:16

Let him live among you wherever he chooses, in the town of his pleasing. Do not oppress him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:16Miscellanies 2.18.91 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203

Deuteronomy 23:17

No daughter or son of Israel is to be a shrine prostitute.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:17 (23:18 LXX)The Instructor 3.3.20 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Deut 23:17 (23:18 LXX)On Modesty 9 · Tertullianquotation, medium confidenceca. 210–220
Deut 23:17Against Celsus 4.31 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 248
Deut 23:17On Not Agreeing with Heretics 2 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
Deut 23:17 (23:18 LXX)Letter 21.3 · Jeromequotation, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Deut 23:17–18 (23:18-Deut LXX)Apostolic Constitutions 6.28.4 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Deut 23:17Apostolic Constitutions 7.2.9 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Deut 23:17On Man's Perfection in Righteousness 20 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, medium confidenceca. 415

Deuteronomy 23:18

You must not bring the wages of a prostitute, whether female or male, into the house of the LORD your God to fulfill any vow, because both are detestable to the LORD your God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:18Miscellanies 1.1.9 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Deut 23:18Miscellanies 1.1.10 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Deut 23:18Arabic Pentateuch fragment XXIV (on Deut 19–23) · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Deut 23:18Oration 4.28 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Deut 23:18Question 43, section 3 · Ambrosiasterallusion, low confidenceca. 370–384
Deut 23:18Apostolic Constitutions 3.7.7 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Deut 23:18Apostolic Constitutions 4.6.4 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Deut 23:18Apostolic Constitutions 4.7.1 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380

Deuteronomy 23:19

Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:19Miscellanies 2.18.84 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Deut 23:19Arabic Pentateuch fragment XXIV (on Deut 19–23) · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Deut 23:19To Quirinus 3.48 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Deut 23:19Preparation for the Gospel 8.8.42 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 313–324
Deut 23:19 (23:20 LXX)Homilies on the Psalms 14.7 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 360-378
Deut 23:19On Tobit 7 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 380-390
Deut 23:19On Tobit 48 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 380-390
Deut 23:19On Tobit 49 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 380-390
Deut 23:19Homilies on Matthew 56.6 · John Chrysostomallusion, medium confidenceca. 390
Deut 23:19Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.62.2 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-397

Deuteronomy 23:20

You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land that you are entering to possess.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:20Arabic Pentateuch fragment XXIV (on Deut 19–23) · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Deut 23:20On Tobit 48 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 380-390
Deut 23:20On Tobit 51 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 380-390

Deuteronomy 23:21

If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:21Arabic Pentateuch fragment XXIV (on Deut 19–23) · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Deut 23:21–23To Quirinus 3.30 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Deut 23:21Preparation for the Gospel 8.7.4 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, low confidenceca. 313–324
Deut 23:21Letter 148.30 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Deut 23:21On Cain and Abel 1.25 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 375-378
Deut 23:21The Lord's Sermon on the Mount 1.17 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, low confidenceca. 393–396

Deuteronomy 23:24

When you enter your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes, but you must not put any in your basket.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:24 (23:25 LXX)Preparation for the Gospel 13.21.13 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 313–324
Deut 23:24On the Work of Monks 28 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 400–401
Deut 23:24–25Deuteronomy, lines 103–127 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.

Deuteronomy 23:25

When you enter your neighbor’s grainfield, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but you must not put a sickle to your neighbor’s grain.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 23:25 (23:26 LXX)Preparation for the Gospel 13.21.13 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 313–324
Deut 23:25On the Work of Monks 28 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 400–401