Bible Encyclopedias
Bastard

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bas´tard ( ממזר , mamzēr ; νόθος , nóthos ): In Deuteronomy 23:2 probably the offspring of an incestuous union, or of a marriage within the prohibited degrees of affinity ( Leviticus 18:6-20; Leviticus 20:10-21 ). He and his descendants to the tenth generation are excluded from the assembly of the Lord. (See Driver, at the place). Zechariah (Zechariah 9:6 ), after prophesying the overthrow of three Philistine cities, declares of the fourth: "And a bastard (the Revised Version, margin "a bastard race") shall dwell in Ashdod," meaning probably that a "mixed population" (BDB ) of aliens shall invade and settle in the capital of the Philistines. In Heb (Zechariah 12:8 ) in its proper sense of "born out of wedlock," and therefore not admitted to the privileges of paternal care and responsibility as a legitimate son.