23:12a

For: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For can also be translated as “because” or “but.” Use a connecting word that fits this context in your language.

if: The word if introduces a condition that is explained in verse 12. The result is explained in verse 13. If the Israelites associate with the other nations around them, then God will not drive those nations out.

you turn away: The Hebrew verb construction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as turn away indicates emphasis. Some English versions represent this emphasis. For example:

But if you ever turn away (NET Bible)
-or-
If indeed you do go back (New King James Version)

turn away: The expression turn away is an idiom that means to be disloyal or unfaithful.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

For if you ever turn away ⌊from following him⌋
-or-
Because if you are at all disloyal ⌊to him⌋
-or-
Do not be unfaithful to him in any way

and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as cling to is the same verb that the Berean Standard Bible translated as “hold fast to” in verse 23:8. It indicates that the Israelites should not have anything to do with the nations that still live in the land in which the Israelites settled. Instead, they should be faithful to Yahweh.

the rest of these nations that remain among you: This phrase is like the phrase in verse 23:7, but one more word is added at the beginning. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rest can also be translated “what is left” or “what remains.”

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

Because if you ever stop following Yahweh, and become friends with the nations who are left here among you,
-or-
Do not be unfaithful to Yahweh in any way. Do not have anything to do with the peoples who are still left among you in the land,

23:12b

if you intermarry: The Israelite people were not to marry the people of other nations.

and associate with them: There is an interpretation issue in this part of the verse. The Hebrew words are more literally “you go in them and they in you.”

(1) The clause “you go in them and they in you” indicates association or friendship of people with each other. For example:

and you associate with them (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, NET Bible, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, Contemporary English Version, New American Standard Bible)

(2) The clause “you go in them and they in you” indicates sexual intercourse and is another way to refer to marriage. For example:

and intermarry with them (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is supported by many English versions and Bible commentaries.

Here are some ways to translate verses 12b–c:

and if you marry with them and you associate with them
-or-
Do not marry with them. Do not make friends with them.

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