Deuteronomy 27:22

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Cursed {H779} be he that lieth {H7901} with his sister {H269}, the daughter {H1323} of his father {H1}, or the daughter {H1323} of his mother {H517}. And all the people {H5971} shall say {H559}, Amen {H543}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'A curse on anyone who has sexual relations with his sister, no matter whether she is the daughter of his father or of his mother.'All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

Berean Standard Bible

‘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!’

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 27:22 is a solemn declaration forming part of a series of curses pronounced on Mount Ebal, specifically condemning incestuous relationships with a sister, whether full or half-sibling. This verse highlights God's absolute prohibition of sexual perversion within the family unit, establishing a foundational moral boundary for the covenant community. The communal affirmation, "And all the people shall say, Amen," underscores Israel's corporate responsibility to uphold divine law and acknowledge the just consequences of its violation, reinforcing the gravity of such a transgression against God's created order and the sanctity of family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 27:22 is part of a dramatic covenant renewal ceremony outlined in [Deuteronomy 27](/deuteronomy/27 "Deuteronomy 27 - The Curses on Mount Ebal"). Following the instructions for setting up large stones inscribed with the law and building an altar on Mount Ebal ([Deuteronomy 27:1-8](/deuteronomy/27-1 "Deuteronomy 27:1-8 - Instructions for Mount Ebal")), the Levites were to stand before the people and pronounce twelve specific curses, to which all the people were to respond "Amen." These curses, found in [Deuteronomy 27:15-26](/deuteronomy/27-15 "Deuteronomy 27:15-26 - The Twelve Curses"), address a range of hidden sins and public transgressions, from idolatry to social injustices and sexual immoralities. This particular curse, like many others in the list, targets a sin often committed in secret, emphasizing that even unseen transgressions are known to God and incur His judgment. The structure of the chapter, alternating between blessings on Mount Gerizim and curses on Mount Ebal, vividly presented the covenant's two paths: obedience leading to blessing, and disobedience leading to curse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, a land inhabited by Canaanite peoples whose practices were characterized by widespread sexual depravity, including various forms of incest and cultic prostitution, as detailed in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Forbidden Sexual Relations"). God's laws, including the severe prohibitions against incest, were designed to distinguish Israel sharply from these surrounding cultures, establishing a holy nation set apart for Yahweh. The public recitation of these curses and the communal "Amen" were not merely a legal formality but a profound act of corporate covenant affirmation. It was a public declaration of allegiance to God's moral standards and an acceptance of the consequences for violating them, fostering a collective consciousness of righteousness and accountability within the nascent nation. This public ritual served as a powerful deterrent and a means of solidifying a distinct, morally upright societal identity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the **sanctity of family and sexual purity**, which are foundational to God's design for human society. The explicit condemnation of incest reinforces the divine order for relationships and the abhorrence of practices that corrupt the family unit, which is the bedrock of community. Secondly, it highlights **communal accountability and corporate responsibility**. The "Amen" signifies that the entire community bears responsibility for upholding God's laws and acknowledging the justness of divine judgment, even for sins committed by individuals. This collective affirmation binds the people together in their commitment to righteousness. Thirdly, the theme of **divine judgment and the consequences of sin** is prominent, as the curse signifies being cut off from God's blessing and incurring His disfavor. This reinforces the seriousness with which God views moral transgressions and His unwavering commitment to justice, as seen in other legal texts like [Leviticus 20:17](/leviticus/20-17 "Leviticus 20:17 - Penalty for Incest").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cursed (Hebrew, _'arur'_):** This term signifies a state of being under divine disfavor, cut off from blessing, or designated for calamity. It is a declaration of judgment, implying that the individual's actions have placed them outside the sphere of God's protection and favor, bringing about severe, often divinely orchestrated, negative consequences. It is a powerful legal and theological pronouncement of alienation from God and His covenant.
* **lieth with (Hebrew, _shakav im'_):** This is a common biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse. Its use here, rather than a more explicit term, maintains a degree of decorum while clearly conveying the illicit sexual act. The phrase emphasizes the physical act of intimacy, which, in this context, is a profound violation of familial and divine boundaries.
* **sister (Hebrew, _'achot'_):** The specific qualification "the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother" leaves no ambiguity. It explicitly includes both full-sisters (sharing both parents) and half-sisters (sharing one parent, either paternal or maternal). This comprehensive definition underscores the absolute and sweeping nature of the prohibition against any form of sibling incest, reinforcing the sanctity of all immediate familial bonds.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Cursed [be] he that lieth with his sister":** This opening clause immediately pronounces a divine curse upon anyone who engages in sexual intercourse with his sister. The passive voice of "cursed" implies that the curse originates from God Himself, not merely from human judgment. It establishes the act as an abomination in God's sight, warranting severe divine consequences.
* **"the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother.":** This parenthetical clarification precisely defines "sister" to include both full-sisters (sharing both parents) and half-sisters (sharing only the father or only the mother). This exhaustive definition ensures that no form of sibling incest is overlooked or excused, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the prohibition and the sacredness of all close familial relationships.
* **"And all the people shall say, Amen.":** This concluding phrase signifies the communal affirmation of the curse. The word "Amen" (Hebrew, _'amen'_) means "so be it," "truly," or "let it be affirmed." Here, it functions as a solemn oath, a corporate acknowledgment of the truth and justice of the curse, and a collective commitment to uphold the law. It binds the entire community to the divine standard and their shared responsibility in maintaining a holy society.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 27:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is the **Legal Formula**, specifically a curse formula, beginning with "Cursed be he." This direct and declarative phrasing imbues the pronouncement with divine authority and unyielding certainty, leaving no room for misinterpretation regarding the severity of the transgression and its consequences. **Repetition** is also crucial, as the phrase "And all the people shall say, Amen" is repeated after each of the twelve curses in [Deuteronomy 27:15-26](/deuteronomy/27-15 "Deuteronomy 27:15-26 - The Twelve Curses"). This liturgical repetition reinforces the communal assent and corporate responsibility, embedding the laws deeply into the collective consciousness of Israel. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Specificity** in its definition of "sister" ("the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother"), which serves as a form of **Exhaustive Enumeration**. This meticulous detailing ensures that the prohibition is comprehensive, leaving no loopholes and underscoring the absolute nature of the command against all forms of sibling incest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 27:22 is deeply rooted in the broader biblical theology of holiness, sexual ethics, and the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The prohibition of incest is not merely a social taboo but a divine command, reflecting God's character as holy and His desire for His people to reflect that holiness in all aspects of life, especially within the foundational unit of the family. Such acts fundamentally corrupt the natural order of creation and the purity required of a people set apart for God. This curse, like others in the list, serves as a stark reminder that breaking God's covenant has dire consequences, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the justness of divine judgment. The communal "Amen" highlights that individual sin has corporate implications, and the entire community is called to uphold God's standards and acknowledge His righteous decrees.

* [Leviticus 18:9](/leviticus/18-9 "Leviticus 18:9 - Forbidden Relations with a Sister")
* [Leviticus 20:17](/leviticus/20-17 "Leviticus 20:17 - Penalty for Incest")
* [1 Corinthians 5:1](/1_corinthians/5-1 "1 Corinthians 5:1 - Paul Condemns Incest in Corinth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 27:22, though given in an ancient covenant context, carries timeless moral and spiritual principles that resonate deeply with believers today. It unequivocally establishes God's unchanging standard for sexual purity and the sanctity of family relationships, which are foundational for a healthy society and a thriving spiritual life. For Christians, this verse underscores the importance of adhering to God's moral law regarding sexual conduct, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and are to be used for God's glory ([1 Corinthians 6:18-20](/1_corinthians/6-18 "1 Corinthians 6:18-20 - Flee Sexual Immorality")). It calls us to respect and protect familial boundaries, understanding that the family is a divine institution meant for blessing and order. The communal "Amen" serves as a powerful reminder that upholding righteousness is not solely an individual endeavor but a collective responsibility. The church, as the new covenant community, is called to stand together against sin, affirm God's just judgments, and foster an environment of holiness and moral integrity. This verse compels us to consider how our actions impact not only ourselves but also the purity and witness of the entire body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge modern societal views on sexual ethics and the sanctity of family?**
* **In what ways can the church, as a community, collectively affirm and uphold God's moral standards today?**
* **What does the severity of this curse reveal about God's character and His view of sin, particularly within the family unit?**
* **How can individual believers contribute to fostering a culture of purity and respect for familial boundaries within their own families and communities?**

### FAQ
**Why is incest so severely condemned in the Bible, and what is the significance of the people's "Amen"?**

Answer: Incest is severely condemned in the Bible because it fundamentally violates God's created order for human sexuality and the sanctity of the family unit, which is the foundational building block of society. It blurs divinely established boundaries, corrupts purity, and often leads to severe psychological, social, and genetic harm. God's laws, as seen in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Forbidden Sexual Relations") and [Leviticus 20](/leviticus/20 "Leviticus 20 - Penalties for Sexual Sins"), are designed to protect the integrity of human relationships and to set Israel apart as a holy nation distinct from the depraved practices of surrounding cultures. The communal "Amen" is profoundly significant. It means "so be it" or "truly," serving as a corporate affirmation and oath. By saying "Amen," all the people publicly assented to the justice of the curse and acknowledged their collective responsibility to uphold God's law. It bound them together in a covenant of obedience, signifying that they understood the gravity of the transgression and accepted the consequences of disobedience, thereby reinforcing communal accountability for maintaining moral purity within the nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 27:22, with its declaration of a curse upon those who violate God's sacred family laws, points powerfully to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The curse pronounced here, like all curses of the Law, highlights humanity's inability to perfectly uphold God's righteous standards and the dire consequences of sin. In the New Testament, we learn that Christ became a curse for us, redeeming us from the curse of the Law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")). He perfectly fulfilled the Law, not only by His sinless life but also by bearing the full weight of God's judgment against sin on the cross, including the judgment against sexual immorality and the corruption of human relationships. Through His sacrifice, believers are freed from the condemnation of the Law and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in newness of life, characterized by purity and holiness ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ")). Furthermore, Christ establishes a new family, the church, where spiritual kinship transcends biological ties, and believers are called to live in purity and love, reflecting the sanctity of God's own nature ([Ephesians 5:3](/ephesians/5-3 "Ephesians 5:3 - Sexual Immorality Not Named Among Believers")). The "Amen" of the people in Deuteronomy prefigures the ultimate "Amen" of God's promises fulfilled in Christ ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are 'Yes' in Christ")), who not only delivers us from the curse but also empowers us to live lives of true righteousness and sexual integrity, honoring God with our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:18-20](/1_corinthians/6-18 "1 Corinthians 6:18-20 - Flee Sexual Immorality")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 20:17

And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it [is] a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.

Leviticus 18:9

The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, [whether she be] born at home, or born abroad, [even] their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.

Ezekiel 22:11

And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter.

2 Samuel 13:8

So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded [it], and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

2 Samuel 13:14

Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

2 Samuel 13:1

¶ And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name [was] Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.