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!' Cursed is heThe Hebrew word for "cursed" is "אָרוּר" (arur), which conveys a strong sense of being under divine disfavor or judgment. In the context of Deuteronomy, this curse is not merely a social or legal penalty but a spiritual consequence that reflects God's holiness and justice. The use of "cursed" here underscores the seriousness with which God views the violation of His commandments, particularly those that disrupt the sanctity of family relationships. who sleeps with
The phrase "sleeps with" is a euphemism for engaging in sexual relations. In Hebrew, the verb "שָׁכַב" (shakab) is used, which can mean to lie down or to have sexual intercourse. This phrase highlights the intimate and personal nature of the sin being addressed. The act is not just a physical transgression but a violation of the moral and spiritual order established by God. his sister
The term "sister" in Hebrew is "אָחוֹת" (achot), which refers to a female sibling. The inclusion of this specific relationship emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity and respect within the family unit. In ancient Israelite society, the family was the foundational social structure, and any act that threatened its integrity was seen as a direct affront to God's design. the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother
This phrase clarifies the familial relationship, indicating that the prohibition applies regardless of whether the sister is a full or half-sibling. The Hebrew terms "בַּת אָבִיו" (bat aviv) and "בַּת אִמּוֹ" (bat imo) specify the paternal and maternal lines, respectively. This comprehensive prohibition reflects the broader biblical principle of sexual purity and the protection of family boundaries. It also serves as a safeguard against the potential for exploitation and abuse within the family. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who delivered God's laws to the people. He is the central figure in the book of Deuteronomy, which is a series of speeches given to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. 2. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are receiving the laws and commandments as they prepare to enter Canaan, the land promised to them by God. 3. Mount Ebal and Mount GerizimThe locations where the blessings and curses were to be pronounced. Mount Ebal was the mountain of curses, and Mount Gerizim was the mountain of blessings. 4. The LevitesThe tribe of Israel responsible for the religious and priestly duties, including the pronouncement of blessings and curses. 5. CanaanThe Promised Land that the Israelites are about to enter, where they are to live according to God's laws. Teaching Points The Sanctity of Family RelationshipsGod's laws are designed to protect the integrity and sanctity of family relationships. Incestuous relationships violate the natural order and lead to familial and societal breakdown. The Seriousness of SinThe pronouncement of a curse underscores the seriousness with which God views sin. It serves as a warning to the community to uphold God's standards. Community ResponsibilityThe communal response of "Amen" signifies collective agreement and responsibility. The community is called to uphold God's laws and hold each other accountable. Holiness and PurityGod's people are called to live lives of holiness and purity, reflecting His character. This includes maintaining moral and ethical standards in all relationships. The Role of the LawThe law serves as a guide to righteous living and reveals the need for God's grace. It points to the necessity of a Savior who fulfills the law on our behalf. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the commandment in Deuteronomy 27:22 reflect God's design for family relationships, and why is this important for us today? 2. In what ways can the community of believers today ensure accountability and uphold God's standards, as seen in the communal "Amen"? 3. How does the account of Amnon and Tamar in 2 Samuel 13 illustrate the consequences of violating God's commandments regarding sexual purity? 4. What steps can we take to maintain holiness and purity in our personal lives and within our communities? 5. How does understanding the seriousness of sin and the role of the law in Deuteronomy 27:22 help us appreciate the grace offered through Jesus Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 18:9This verse also addresses the prohibition against incest, emphasizing the importance of sexual purity and the sanctity of family relationships. 2 Samuel 13The account of Amnon and Tamar illustrates the tragic consequences of violating this commandment, showing the personal and communal damage caused by such sin. 1 Corinthians 5:1-2Paul addresses a case of sexual immorality in the Corinthian church, highlighting the need for church discipline and purity within the Christian community. People Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Moses, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, ZebulunPlaces Beth-baal-peor, Jordan River, Mount Ebal, Mount GerizimTopics Amen, Cursed, Daughter, Lies, Lieth, Lying, Relations, Sex, Sister, Sleeps, WhetherDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 27:22 5737 sisters Deuteronomy 27:1-26 7797 teaching Deuteronomy 27:9-26 5827 curse Deuteronomy 27:15-26 1461 truth, nature of
5783 agreement Deuteronomy 27:20-23 5681 family, nature of Library Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten CommandmentsIn Judæa and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and Theology - Jews and Samaritans.
We have no means of determining how long Jesus may have tarried in Jerusalem after the events recorded in the previous two chapters. The Evangelic narrative [1850] only marks an indefinite period of time, which, as we judge from internal probability, cannot have been protracted. From the city He retired with His disciples to the country,' which formed the province of Judæa. There He taught and His disciples baptized. [1851] [1852] From what had been so lately witnessed in Jerusalem, as well …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah How Christ is Made Use of for Justification as a Way.
What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood in the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner, undertaking, and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or a sacrifice for sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his life a ransom to satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made known in the gospel, calling sinners to an accepting of him as their only Mediator, and to a resting upon him for …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was.
That which is said by Moses, that "Gerizim and Ebal were over-against Gilgal," Deuteronomy 11:30, is so obscure, that it is rendered into contrary significations by interpreters. Some take it in that sense, as if it were near to Gilgal: some far off from Gilgal: the Targumists read, "before Gilgal": while, as I think, they do not touch the difficulty; which lies not so much in the signification of the word Mul, as in the ambiguity of the word Gilgal. These do all seem to understand that Gilgal which …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ.
O wretched Man! where shall I begin to describe thine endless misery, who art condemned as soon as conceived; and adjudged to eternal death, before thou wast born to a temporal life? A beginning indeed, I find, but no end of thy miseries. For when Adam and Eve, being created after God's own image, and placed in Paradise, that they and their posterity might live in a blessed state of life immortal, having dominion over all earthly creatures, and only restrained from the fruit of one tree, as a sign …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered? …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 27:22 NIVDeuteronomy 27:22 NLTDeuteronomy 27:22 ESVDeuteronomy 27:22 NASBDeuteronomy 27:22 KJV
Deuteronomy 27:22 Commentaries
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