Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
BAS'TARD. Deut 23:2 forbids for ever the entrance of a bastard into the congregation — i. e. "from intermarrying with pure Hebrews." But since concubinage was tolerated, the term evidently does not apply to one born out of wedlock. "The Rabbins, therefore, are probably right when they interpret the word as denoting only those born of incest or adultery." See Concubine.