"Thou shalt make no covenant with them," God had said; and those who had recently rededicated themselves to the Lord at the altar set up before the ruins of His temple, realized that the line of demarcation between His people and the world is ever to be kept unmistakably distinct. They refused to enter into alliance with those who, though familiar with the requirements of God's law, would not yield to its claims.

"Du må ikke slutte pagt med dem," havde Gud sagt. De, der netop havde helliget sig til Herren ved det alter, som var blevet bygget foran ruinerne af hans tempel, var klar over, at grænselinjen mellem hans folk og verden altid skal være skarp. De ville ikke slutte pagt med mennesker, som ikke var villige til at rette sig efter Guds lovs krav, skønt de kendte dem.