mamzer . Forbidden to enter the Lord's congregation to the tenth generation, i.e. forever (Deuteronomy 23:2-3). Yet Jephthah, son of a strange woman, and therefore driven out by the legitimate children, was called to be a judge to Israel (Judges 11:1-2). The Talmud and the rabbis are probably therefore right in explaining mamzer , not illegitimate children in general, but those begotten in incest or adultery: from mazar , "to be corrupt." The only other occurrence of mamzer is Zechariah 9:6; "a bastard (a vile alien) shall dwell in Ashdod." Arabs about that time occupied much of S. Palestine, and the prophet foretells Ashdod will be ruled by them. Bastards were not excluded from public worship ordinarily. They had no claim to the paternal inheritance, or to the standing privileges and filial discipline of children (Hebrews 12:7).
From the co-author of the classic Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary, Fausset's Bible Dictionary stands as one of the best single-volume Bible encyclopedias ever written for general use. The author's writing style is always clear and concise, and he tackles issues important to the average student of the Bible, not just the Biblical scholars. This makes Fausset an excellent tool for both everyday Bible study and in-depth lesson or sermon preparation.Wikipedia
Read More