King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 27:14 Mean?

And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

Context

12

These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:

13

And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. to curse: Heb. for a cursing

14

And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

15

Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

16

Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
De 19:14. The Landmark Is Not to Be Removed. **14. Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old have set in thine inheritance--**The state of Palestine in regard to enclosures is very much the same now as it has always been. Though gardens and vineyards are surrounded by dry-stone walls or hedges of prickly pear, the boundaries of arable fields are marked by nothing but by a little trench, a small cairn, or a single erect stone, placed at certain intervals. It is manifest that a dishonest person could easily fill the gutter with earth, or remove these stones a few feet without much risk of detection and so enlarge his own field by a stealthy encroachment on his neighbor's. This law, then, was made to prevent such trespasses.

Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, David Brown. Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 27:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 27:14

Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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