King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 27:23 Mean?

Deuteronomy 27:23 in the King James Version says “Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen. — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Deuteronomy 27:23 · KJV


Context

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.

25

Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person . And all the people shall say, Amen.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law—Leviticus 18:17 and 20:14 prohibit this as zimmah (זִמָּה, wickedness/depravity), requiring execution by burning. The severity reflects how such violation destroys family structure God ordained for human flourishing. The mother-in-law relationship created through marriage covenant makes this union a perversion of sacred kinship bonds.

The continuing refrain And all the people shall say, Amen reinforced communal accountability. Each 'Amen' was a corporate covenant renewal declaring, 'We agree with God's standards and will uphold them.' The New Testament similarly commands believers to have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:11).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, marriage created extensive kinship obligations and protections. A man's relationship to his wife's mother was legally and morally defined—she was family, not a potential sexual partner. The public proclamation of these curses at Mount Ebal made clear that Israel's covenant community would not tolerate the sexual chaos common among Canaanite cultures, where temple prostitution and cultic sexual rituals were normalized.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's design for family boundaries protect human dignity and relational flourishing?
  2. What modern 'redefinitions' of family and sexuality parallel the ancient violations these curses condemned?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
אָר֕וּר1 of 8

Cursed

H779

to execrate

שֹׁכֵ֖ב2 of 8

be he that lieth

H7901

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

עִם3 of 8
H5973

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

חֹֽתַנְתּ֑וֹ4 of 8

with his mother in law

H2859

to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage

וְאָמַ֥ר5 of 8

shall say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָּל6 of 8
H3605

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

הָעָ֖ם7 of 8

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׃8 of 8

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 27:23 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 27:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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