In Hebrew verse 30 begins with the connective conjunction plus a word that is often translated “who” or “which.” This Hebrew expression indicates that the following statements explain the general statement in the previous two verses. It introduces the list of obligations or commitments that follows, and can be translated as “In particular that,” “In consequence” (so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), or “Namely” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

Obligation 1—No Intermarriage with the Peoples of the Land. This was a pledge that they would not enter into marriage with the peoples of the land (see Ezra 9.1). This is a revision and updating of the command in Deut 7.3 that applies to both men and women. The list of seven nations in Deut 7.1 that no longer exist is replaced by the peoples of the land, thus broadening the prohibition and making it relevant to the contemporary situation. The use of a term like “foreigners” or “foreign population” (Revised English Bible) could be understood to refer to people who had come from foreign nations to live among the Jews. Translators should use an expression that refers to “people of the land” who are not Jews. New Living Translation calls them “pagan people of the land.”

We will not give our daughters … or take their daughters for our sons: Here the first person We dramatically shifts the reference from the third person “they” in the previous verses. Note that Good News Translation shifted to “we” already in verse 28. The verbs give and take reflect the custom that parents give their daughters to go to live with their husbands and they bring daughters from other families to be the wives of their own sons. The Hebrew expression reflects a patriarchal perspective. Good News Translation uses a contemporary English word that is culturally more neutral. Contemporary English Version achieves a similar neutral effect by saying “We won’t let our sons and daughters marry foreigners.” The command is about not entering into such marriages. It is not about ending marriages that were previously contracted.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .