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The Covenant Curses

14 “The Levites will call out to every Israelite[a] with a loud voice: 15 ‘Cursed is the one[b] who makes a carved or metal image—something abhorrent[c] to the Lord, the work of the craftsman[d]—and sets it up in a secret place.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’[e] 16 ‘Cursed[f] is the one who disrespects[g] his father and mother.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 17 ‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s boundary marker.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 18 ‘Cursed is the one who misleads a blind person on the road.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 19 ‘Cursed is the one who perverts justice for the resident foreigner, the orphan, and the widow.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 20 ‘Cursed is the one who goes to bed with[h] his father’s former wife,[i] for he dishonors his father.’[j] Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 21 ‘Cursed is the one who commits bestiality.’[k] Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 22 ‘Cursed is the one who goes to bed[l] with his sister, the daughter of either his father or mother.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 23 ‘Cursed is the one who goes to bed[m] with his mother-in-law.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 24 ‘Cursed is the one who kills[n] his neighbor in private.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 25 ‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 26 ‘Cursed is the one who refuses to keep the words of this law.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 27:14 tn Heb “Israelite man.”
  2. Deuteronomy 27:15 tn Heb “man,” but in a generic sense here.
  3. Deuteronomy 27:15 tn The Hebrew term translated here “abhorrent” (תּוֹעֵבָה, toʿevah) speaks of attitudes and/or behaviors so vile as to be reprehensible to a holy God. See note on the word “abhorrent” in Deut 7:25.
  4. Deuteronomy 27:15 tn Heb “craftsman’s hands.”
  5. Deuteronomy 27:15 tn Or “So be it!” The term is an affirmation expressing agreement with the words of the Levites.
  6. Deuteronomy 27:16 tn The Levites speak again at this point; throughout this pericope the Levites pronounce the curse and the people respond with “Amen.”
  7. Deuteronomy 27:16 tn The Hebrew term קָלָה (qalah) means to treat with disdain or lack of due respect (cf. NAB, NIV, NRSV “dishonors”; NLT “despises”). It is the opposite of כָּבֵד (kaved, “to be heavy,” that is, to treat with reverence and proper deference). To treat a parent lightly is to dishonor him or her and thus violate the fifth commandment (Deut 5:16; cf. Exod 21:17).
  8. Deuteronomy 27:20 tn Heb “lies down with.” The verb שָׁכַב (shakhav) “to lie down” can be a euphemism for going to bed for sexual relations (cf. NASB, NRSV “who lies with”; NIV “who sleeps with”; NLT “who has sexual intercourse with”).
  9. Deuteronomy 27:20 tn See note at Deut 22:30.
  10. Deuteronomy 27:20 tn Heb “he uncovers his father’s skirt” (NASB similar). See note at Deut 22:30.
  11. Deuteronomy 27:21 tn Heb “lies down with any animal.” The verb שָׁכַב (shakhav) “to lie down” can be a euphemism for going to bed for sexual relations, the perversion in this case being bestiality.
  12. Deuteronomy 27:22 tn Heb “lies down with.” See note at v. 20.
  13. Deuteronomy 27:23 tn Heb “lies down with.” See note at v. 20.
  14. Deuteronomy 27:24 tn Or “strikes down” (so NRSV).

14 And (A)the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:

15 (B)“‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ (C)And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’

16 (D)“‘Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

17 (E)“‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor's landmark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

18 (F)“‘Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

19 (G)“‘Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

20 (H)“‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his father's wife, because he has (I)uncovered his father's nakedness.’[a] And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

21 (J)“‘Cursed be anyone who lies with any kind of animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

22 (K)“‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

23 (L)“‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

24 (M)“‘Cursed be anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

25 (N)“‘Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

26 (O)“‘Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 27:20 Hebrew uncovered his father's skirt