Deuteronomy 27:19
Deuteronomy 27:19 in Multiple Translations
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that wresteth the justice due to the sojourner, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed is he who gives a wrong decision in the cause of a man from a strange land, or of one without a father, or of a widow. And let all the people say, So be it.
“A curse on anyone who doesn't treat foreigners, the orphans, and widows fairly!” Everyone says “Amen!”
Cursed be he that hindreth the right of the stranger, the fatherles, and the widow: And all the people shall say: So be it.
'Cursed [is] he who is turning aside the judgment of fatherless, sojourner, and widow, — and all the people have said, Amen.
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, of the fatherless and the widow: and all the people shall say: Amen.
‘Yahweh will curse anyone who deprives foreigners or orphans or widows of the things that the laws state must be done for them.’ And all the people must reply, ‘◄Amen/We want that to happen►.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 27:19
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 27:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָר֗וּר
מַטֶּ֛ה
מִשְׁפַּ֥ט
גֵּר
יָת֖וֹם
וְ/אַלְמָנָ֑ה
וְ/אָמַ֥ר
כָּל
הָ/עָ֖ם
אָמֵֽן
אָר֗וּר
ʼârar
H779
to curse
V-Qal-Inf-c
מַטֶּ֛ה
nâṭâh
H5186
to stretch
V-Hiphil
מִשְׁפַּ֥ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
N-ms
גֵּר
gêr
H1616
sojourner
N-ms
יָת֖וֹם
yâthôwm
H3490
orphan
N-ms
וְ/אַלְמָנָ֑ה
ʼalmânâh
H490
widow
Conj | N-fs
וְ/אָמַ֥ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הָ/עָ֖ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Art | N-ms
אָמֵֽן
ʼâmên
H543
amen
Adv
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 27:19
אָר֗וּר
ʼârar
H779
"to curse"
V-Qal-Inf-c
To curse someone or something, like God cursing the serpent in Genesis 3. It means to execrate or wish harm upon someone, often used in the context of punishment or judgment. This word appears in various biblical accounts.
Definition: 1) to curse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to curse 1a2) cursed be he (participle used as in curses) 1b) (Niphal) to be cursed, cursed 1c)(Piel) to curse, lay under a curse, put a curse on 1d) (Hophal) to be made a curse, be cursed
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bitterly curse. See also: Genesis 3:14; Deuteronomy 27:23; Psalms 119:21.
מַטֶּ֛ה
nâṭâh
H5186
"to stretch"
V-Hiphil
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
מִשְׁפַּ֥ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
N-ms
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
גֵּר
gêr
H1616
"sojourner"
N-ms
A sojourner is a foreigner or temporary resident, lacking inherited rights, but often given concessions in Israel. This term appears in the Bible to describe outsiders living among God's people.
Definition: 1) sojourner 1a) a temporary inhabitant, a newcomer lacking inherited rights 1b) of foreigners in Israel, though conceded rights
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: alien, sojourner, stranger. See also: Genesis 15:13; Deuteronomy 10:19; Psalms 39:13.
יָת֖וֹם
yâthôwm
H3490
"orphan"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to an orphan or a child without a father, like in Exodus where God commands the Israelites to care for the fatherless.
Definition: an orphan, fatherless
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: fatherless (child), orphan. See also: Exodus 22:21; Psalms 10:18; Psalms 10:14.
וְ/אַלְמָנָ֑ה
ʼalmânâh
H490
"widow"
Conj | N-fs
A widow is a woman whose husband has died, often left alone and vulnerable. The Bible teaches care and compassion for widows, as seen in the stories of Ruth and Naomi. God commands his people to look out for them.
Definition: widow
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: desolate house (palace), widow. See also: Genesis 38:11; Job 29:13; Psalms 68:6.
וְ/אָמַ֥ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הָ/עָ֖ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
אָמֵֽן
ʼâmên
H543
"amen"
Adv
Amen means something is true or faithful, like a promise or a statement of fact. Jesus often used it to begin his teachings, as in Matthew 5:18. It expresses certainty or agreement.
Definition: verily, truly, amen, so be it
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: Amen, so be it, truth. See also: Numbers 5:22; Deuteronomy 27:26; Psalms 41:14.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 27:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Curses Pronounced from Ebal
17‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
18‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
19‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
20‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 21‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 10:18 | He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 24:17 | Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. |
| 3 | Proverbs 17:23 | A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice. |
| 4 | Exodus 22:21–24 | You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless. |
| 5 | Psalms 82:2–4 | “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. |
| 6 | Exodus 23:2 | You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd. |
| 7 | Malachi 3:5 | “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. |
| 8 | Proverbs 31:5 | lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. |
| 9 | Exodus 23:8–9 | Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. |
| 10 | Micah 3:9 | Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and pervert all that is right, |
Deuteronomy 27:19 Summary
[This verse reminds us that God is concerned about how we treat others, especially those who are vulnerable and in need. He wants us to make sure they receive justice and are treated fairly, just as He commands in Leviticus 19:34. When we withhold justice from others, it's like saying that God's standards don't matter, but when we uphold justice, we are saying 'Amen' to God's Word and demonstrating our love for Him and for others, as taught in Matthew 25:31-46. By treating others with kindness and respect, we can show them the love of God and reflect His character in our lives.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to withhold justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow?
Withholding justice from these vulnerable groups means to deny them the rights and protection they deserve, contrary to God's commands in Deuteronomy 27:19 and Leviticus 19:34, which emphasize the importance of treating all people with fairness and respect.
Why is it significant that the people are instructed to say 'Amen' after each curse?
Saying 'Amen' after each curse indicates the people's agreement with and affirmation of God's judgment, acknowledging the seriousness of the sins listed and their commitment to upholding God's standards, as seen in Deuteronomy 27:15-26.
How does this verse relate to our modern concept of social justice?
This verse highlights God's concern for the marginalized and oppressed, emphasizing the importance of advocating for their rights and well-being, as also taught in Proverbs 31:8-9 and Isaiah 1:17, which encourage believers to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
What are some practical ways to apply this verse in our daily lives?
We can apply this verse by being mindful of the needs of those around us, particularly the vulnerable, and taking action to support and protect them, such as volunteering at local organizations that serve the poor, the fatherless, and the widow, and advocating for policies that promote justice and equality, as encouraged in Jeremiah 22:3 and James 1:27.
Reflection Questions
- How can I ensure that I am treating all people with fairness and respect, regardless of their background or circumstances?
- What are some ways that I may be unintentionally withholding justice from others, and how can I change my behavior?
- How can I use my voice and actions to advocate for the rights and well-being of the marginalized and oppressed in my community?
- What does it mean to 'say Amen' to God's judgment, and how can I demonstrate my commitment to upholding God's standards in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 27:19
Cursed [be] he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow,.... Who have none to assist them, and take their part, and therefore judges may be tempted to do an unjust thing;
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 27:19
19. See on Deuteronomy 24:17; E, Exodus 22:21-24; Exodus 23:9; H, Leviticus 19:33 f.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:19
14-26. The Levites shall speak — These twelve curses were to be pronounced against transgressors of the law. The first is against those who make graven or molten images. Comp. Exodus 20:4.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 27:19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Cain (Canon) of Adamnan by Adamnan of Iona | Kuno Meyer's sermon focuses on the ancient Irish law treatise known as the Cain Adamnan, believed to be the first Irish law to protect women, children, and clergy from violence. Th |
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The Lord My Husband by Octavius Winslow | Octavius Winslow emphasizes the profound relationship between God and the believer, particularly in the context of widowhood, where God is portrayed as the 'Husband' to those who h |
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Of the Various Sorts of Proselytes. by John Gill | John Gill discusses the various types of proselytes in the Jewish tradition, emphasizing their different statuses and the conditions under which they were accepted into the Jewish |
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Our Daily Homily - Deuteronomy by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes God's unwavering support and guidance throughout life's journey, as illustrated in Deuteronomy. He highlights that God carries His people with love and compas |
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Leadership Manual by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of delegation in leadership. They highlight that true leadership cannot exist without delegating tasks to others. The speaker |
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Holl-09 Israel in the Cosmic Drama by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a prophetic perspective that considers eternity and its impact on the present. He calls out the church in Holland to |
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David's Prayer for Relief by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith shares the story of how God transformed the lives of 10 men, including Greg Laurie, Raul Rees, Mike McIntosh, John Corson, and Skip Heitzig, who |