Deuteronomy 27:23
Deuteronomy 27:23 in Multiple Translations
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed is he who has sex relations with his mother-in-law. And let all the people say, So be it.
“A curse on any man who sleeps with his mother-in-law!” Everyone says “Amen!”
Cursed be he that lyeth with his mother in law: And all the people shall say: So be it.
'Cursed [is] he who is lying with his mother-in-law, — and all the people have said, Amen.
‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law: and all the people shall say: Amen.
‘Yahweh will curse anyone who has sex with [EUP] his mother-in-law.’ And all the people must reply, ‘◄Amen/We want that to happen►.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 27:23
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 27:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָר֕וּר
שֹׁכֵ֖ב
עִם
חֹֽתַנְתּ֑/וֹ
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
חֹֽתַנְתּ֑/וֹ
châthan
H2859
relative
V-Qal | Suff
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 27:23
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.
חֹֽתַנְתּ֑/וֹ
châthan
H2859
"relative"
V-Qal | Suff
To be related by marriage means to become connected through wedding vows. In the Bible, this word describes the relationship between a husband and his wife's family, including his father-in-law and mother-in-law.
Definition: a son-in-law, a daughter's husband, wife's father, wife's mother, father-in-law, mother-in- law
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: join in affinity, father in law, make marriages, mother in law, son in law. See also: Genesis 34:9; Deuteronomy 7:3; Ezra 9:14.
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 27:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Curses Pronounced from Ebal
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!’
24‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 25‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 20:14 | If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is depraved. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that there will be no depravity among you. |
| 2 | Leviticus 18:17 | You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter and have sexual relations with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved. |
Deuteronomy 27:23 Summary
This verse in Deuteronomy 27:23 is saying that it is very wrong to have a romantic or sexual relationship with your mother-in-law, as this is a form of incest and goes against God's moral law, as seen in Leviticus 18:8 and 20:11. This kind of behavior can cause a lot of harm and damage to individuals and families, and can even lead to spiritual and emotional consequences, as seen in Psalm 51:1-19 and 1 Corinthians 6:18-20. We should strive to live according to God's standards, as expressed in Exodus 20:1-17 and Leviticus 18:1-30, and uphold healthy boundaries and relationships in our own lives, in order to promote a safe and respectful community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the curse in Deuteronomy 27:23?
The curse in Deuteronomy 27:23 emphasizes the seriousness of the sin of sleeping with one's mother-in-law, which is a violation of God's moral law, as seen in Leviticus 18:8 and 20:11, and is considered a form of incest.
Why does the verse instruct the people to say 'Amen'?
The instruction for the people to say 'Amen' is a way of expressing their agreement with and confirmation of the curse, as well as their commitment to upholding God's moral standards, as seen in Deuteronomy 27:15-26.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Deuteronomy?
This verse is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy that emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's law, and the consequences of disobedience, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-68, and is a reminder that God's people are called to live according to His standards, as expressed in Exodus 20:1-17 and Leviticus 18:1-30.
What is the relevance of this verse to modern society?
This verse remains relevant today as it highlights the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries and relationships, particularly within families, and upholding God's moral standards, as seen in Ephesians 5:3 and 1 Thessalonians 4:7, in order to promote a safe and respectful community.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can demonstrate my commitment to upholding God's moral standards in my own life?
- How can I maintain healthy boundaries and relationships within my own family and community?
- What are some potential consequences of disobeying God's law, as seen in this verse and elsewhere in Scripture?
- In what ways can I promote a culture of respect and safety within my own community, based on God's moral standards?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 27:23
Cursed [be] he that lieth with his mother in law,.... See Leviticus 18:7. All these incestuous or brutal copulations may well be supposed to be done in secret: and all the people shall say Amen; as abhorring such incest.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 27:23
23. Cp. H, Leviticus 18:17; Leviticus 20:14.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:23
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.