King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 27:22 Mean?

Deuteronomy 27:22 in the King James Version says “Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people s...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.”

Deuteronomy 27:22 · KJV

Context

20

Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

21

Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.

22

Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

23

Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.

24

Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Cursed be he that lieth with his sister—the Hebrew shochev (שֹׁכֵב, lies with) uses covenant violation language. Leviticus 18:9 and 20:17 explicitly prohibit this incest, calling it chesed (חֶסֶד, disgrace/shame, not to be confused with the positive hesed). The arur (אָרוּר, cursed) formula marks covenant-breaking that severs one from God's blessing and community.

The precision—the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother—covers both full and half-siblings, closing any loophole. The communal response And all the people shall say, Amen makes every Israelite complicit in enforcing God's sexual purity standards. To remain silent when such sin occurred was to share in the curse. This anticipates church discipline principles (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13).

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Historical & Cultural Context

These twelve curses (Deuteronomy 27:15-26) were proclaimed antiphonally at Mount Ebal as Israel entered Canaan (Joshua 8:30-35). Six tribes stood on Mount Gerizim for blessings, six on Mount Ebal for curses, with the Levites in the valley between declaring covenant conditions. The list emphasizes secret sins—violations done in darkness that human courts might not detect but that still brought divine judgment. Ancient Near Eastern cultures often tolerated incest among royalty (Egyptian pharaohs married siblings), but Israel's law reflected God's holiness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the requirement that 'all the people shall say, Amen' challenge modern individualism that says 'it's none of my business' about others' sin?
  2. What does God's attention to secret sexual sins reveal about His comprehensive concern for holiness in every area of life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אָר֗וּר1 of 13

“Cursed”

H779

to execrate

שֹׁכֵב֙2 of 13

“be he that lieth”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

עִם3 of 13
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֲחֹת֔וֹ4 of 13

“with his sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

בַת5 of 13

“or the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אָבִ֖יו6 of 13

“of his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

א֣וֹ7 of 13
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

בַת8 of 13

“or the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אִמּ֑וֹ9 of 13

“of his mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

וְאָמַ֥ר10 of 13

“shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָּל11 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֖ם12 of 13

“And all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אָמֵֽן׃13 of 13

“Amen”

H543

sure; abstract, faithfulness; adverb, truly

Study Guide

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 27:22 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 27:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 18:9Leviticus 20:17Ezekiel 22:112 Samuel 13:12 Samuel 13:8-14

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