Deuteronomy 27:21
Deuteronomy 27:21 in Multiple Translations
‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed is he who has sex relations with any sort of beast. And let all the people say, So be it.
“A curse on anyone who has sex with any animal!” Everyone says “Amen!”
Cursed be he that lieth with any beast: And all the people shall say: So be it.
'Cursed [is] he who is lying with any beast, — and all the people have said, Amen.
‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with any beast: and all the people shall say: Amen.
‘Yahweh will curse anyone who has sex [EUP] with any animal.’ And all the people must reply, ‘◄Amen/We want that to happen►.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 27:21
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 27:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָר֕וּר
שֹׁכֵ֖ב
עִם
כָּל
בְּהֵמָ֑ה
וְ/אָמַ֥ר
כָּל
הָ/עָ֖ם
אָמֵֽן
אָר֕וּר
ʼârar
H779
to curse
V-Qal-Inf-c
שֹׁכֵ֖ב
shâkab
H7901
to lie down
V-Qal
עִם
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
בְּהֵמָ֑ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
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
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 27:21
אָר֕וּר
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.
שֹׁכֵ֖ב
shâkab
H7901
"to lie down"
V-Qal
To lie down can mean to rest, sleep, or have sexual relations, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible. It can also mean to relax or be at rest.
Definition: : lay_down/lie_with 1) to lie down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on 1a2) to lodge 1a3) to lie (of sexual relations) 1a4) to lie down (in death) 1a5) to rest, relax (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually) 1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually) 1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down 1e) (Hophal) to be laid
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, cast down, (lover-)lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay. See also: Genesis 19:4; 1 Kings 11:43; Psalms 3:6.
עִם
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
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.
בְּהֵמָ֑ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
N-fs
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
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 27:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Curses Pronounced from Ebal
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!’
22‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 23‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 18:23 | You must not lie carnally with any animal, thus defiling yourself with it; a woman must not stand before an animal to mate with it; that is a perversion. |
| 2 | Exodus 22:19 | Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death. |
| 3 | Leviticus 20:15 | If a man lies carnally with an animal, he must be put to death. And you are also to kill the animal. |
Deuteronomy 27:21 Summary
Deuteronomy 27:21 teaches us that God takes sexual sin very seriously, and that lying with an animal is a grave offense against His created order (see also Exodus 22:19 and Leviticus 18:23). This verse reminds us of the importance of living pure and holy lives, and of respecting the boundaries that God has established for human relationships (as seen in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20). By saying 'Amen' to this curse, the people of Israel were acknowledging the gravity of this sin and committing to uphold God's standards. As believers today, we can apply this principle by seeking to live lives that honor God and promote purity in our own lives and communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the curse in Deuteronomy 27:21?
The curse in Deuteronomy 27:21 emphasizes the severity of sinning against God's created order, as seen in Leviticus 18:23 and Exodus 22:19, and serves as a warning to the people of Israel to maintain purity and holiness.
How does this verse relate to the broader biblical theme of sexual purity?
Deuteronomy 27:21 is part of a larger biblical narrative that emphasizes the importance of sexual purity, as seen in verses like 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, which call believers to live lives of holiness and self-control.
What is the purpose of the people saying 'Amen' after each curse?
The people's affirmation of 'Amen' after each curse, as seen in Deuteronomy 27:21, serves as a corporate acknowledgement of the gravity of sin and a collective commitment to upholding God's standards, as expressed in Deuteronomy 27:26 and Nehemiah 5:13.
How does this verse apply to believers today?
While the specific context of Deuteronomy 27:21 is rooted in the Old Testament, the principle of maintaining purity and holiness remains relevant for believers today, as seen in Ephesians 5:3-7 and Colossians 3:5-10, which call Christians to live lives that honor God.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which our culture may be desensitizing us to the sin of bestiality, and how can we maintain a biblical perspective on this issue?
- How can we, as believers, promote a culture of purity and respect for God's created order in our own lives and communities?
- In what ways can we demonstrate compassion and grace to those who may be struggling with sexual sin, while also upholding the biblical standard of holiness?
- What are some practical steps we can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the temptation of sexual sin, and to promote a culture of purity in our homes and communities?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 27:21
Cursed [be] he that lieth with any manner of beast,.... See Leviticus 18:23; and all the people shall say Amen; as being shocking and abhorrent to human nature.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 27:21
21. Cp. E, Exodus 22:19 (18); H, Leviticus 18:23; Leviticus 20:15.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:21
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.