Deuteronomy 27:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Cursed {H779} be he that lieth {H7901} with his mother in law {H2859}. And all the people {H5971} shall say {H559}, Amen {H543}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'A curse on anyone who has sexual relations with his mother-in-law.' All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

Berean Standard Bible

‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 27:23 is one of twelve solemn curses pronounced from Mount Ebal, specifically condemning sexual relations with a mother-in-law. This public declaration, affirmed by the entire community with a resounding "Amen," underscored the gravity of violating God's covenant laws, particularly those pertaining to sexual purity and the sanctity of family relationships, which were foundational to Israel's identity as a holy nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 27:23 is embedded within a highly structured covenant renewal ceremony described in [Deuteronomy 27](/deuteronomy/27 "Deuteronomy 27 - The Covenant Renewal Ceremony"). Moses commands the Israelites, upon entering the Promised Land, to establish large stones, plaster them, and inscribe all the words of the Law upon them ([Deuteronomy 27:1-8](/deuteronomy/27-1 "Deuteronomy 27:1-8 - Command to Set Up Stones and Write the Law")). Following this, six tribes were to stand on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings, and six on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses ([Deuteronomy 27:11-13](/deuteronomy/27-11 "Deuteronomy 27:11-13 - Tribes on Gerizim and Ebal")). The curses, beginning in [Deuteronomy 27:15](/deuteronomy/27-15 "Deuteronomy 27:15 - First Curse Against Idolatry"), address a range of serious transgressions, many of which are "hidden" sins not easily detectable by human courts, emphasizing that God sees and judges all disobedience. Each curse concludes with the communal affirmation, "And all the people shall say, Amen," signifying their corporate agreement and accountability to the covenant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for these curses is the threshold of the Promised Land, a pivotal moment in Israel's history. Moses is preparing a new generation for life in the land, emphasizing the importance of covenant fidelity. Incest, particularly with a mother-in-law, was considered a profound abomination in ancient Israelite society, violating deeply held norms of kinship, purity, and social order. Such unions were strictly forbidden in the broader Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 18:8](/leviticus/18-8 "Leviticus 18:8 - Prohibition Against Uncovering Father's Wife's Nakedness") and [Leviticus 20:14](/leviticus/20-14 "Leviticus 20:14 - Penalty for Marrying Mother-in-Law")). The public, ritualized pronouncement of these curses, with the entire nation assenting, served as a powerful pedagogical tool, reinforcing the absolute nature of God's moral standards and the severe consequences of their violation, thereby shaping the moral fabric of the nascent nation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. It underscores the theme of **Covenant Fidelity**, demonstrating that obedience to God's moral and ceremonial laws is not optional but central to Israel's relationship with Yahweh. The specific nature of the curse highlights **Sexual Purity and Holiness**, emphasizing God's design for human sexuality within the boundaries of marriage and the family, and the defiling nature of incestuous relationships. Furthermore, the communal "Amen" reinforces the theme of **Corporate Responsibility and Accountability**, illustrating that the entire community shared in upholding the covenant and acknowledging the justice of God's judgments. This collective affirmation was a public commitment to the divine standards, ensuring that the nation understood the gravity of sin and the necessity of righteousness for their continued blessing in the land, as further elaborated in the blessings and curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cursed (Hebrew, _'arur'_):** This word signifies a state of being under divine displeasure, cut off from blessing, or separated from God's favor due to a specific transgression. It is not merely a wish or an imprecation but a solemn declaration of divine judgment, indicating that the individual is alienated from God's covenant blessings and subject to His righteous condemnation. The term implies a profound spiritual and existential separation.
* **Amen (Hebrew, _'amen'_):** This powerful Hebrew affirmation means "so be it," "truly," or "let it be affirmed." In this context, the communal "Amen" was a solemn and binding declaration by the people, indicating their full agreement with the justice and truth of each curse. It signified their acceptance of the covenant conditions and the severe consequences of violating them, making them active participants in the covenant's enforcement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Cursed [be] he that lieth with his mother in law":** This clause pronounces a divine curse upon any man who engages in sexual intercourse with his mother-in-law. The act is a severe violation of kinship boundaries and sexual purity laws established by God, considered an abomination that defiles both the individuals involved and the land itself. It undermines the sanctity of the family unit, which is foundational to God's design for society, and represents a direct affront to divine order.
* **"And all the people shall say, Amen.":** This concluding phrase emphasizes the corporate responsibility and assent of the entire Israelite community. Their unanimous "Amen" signifies not only their acknowledgment of the justice of the curse but also their collective commitment to uphold the covenant laws and to accept the consequences for their violation. It transforms the curse from a mere pronouncement into a binding communal affirmation, underscoring the nation's shared accountability before God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Anaphora**, where the phrase "Cursed be he" is repeated at the beginning of each of the twelve curses in [Deuteronomy 27:15-26](/deuteronomy/27-15 "Deuteronomy 27:15-26 - The Twelve Curses"). This repetition creates a powerful, rhythmic, and solemn litany, emphasizing the absolute and unchanging nature of God's judgments against these specific transgressions. The use of **Antithesis** is also implied through the contrast between the blessings pronounced from Mount Gerizim and the curses from Mount Ebal, highlighting the stark choice between obedience and disobedience. Furthermore, the communal "Amen" serves as a form of **Call and Response**, engaging the entire assembly in a participatory ritual that solidifies their corporate commitment to the covenant. This collective affirmation also functions as **Symbolism**, representing the nation's unity in upholding divine law and their shared accountability for maintaining holiness within the community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 27:23, by condemning incest with a mother-in-law, powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to sexual purity, the sanctity of marriage, and the integrity of the family unit. This specific prohibition, alongside others in the Mosaic Law, reveals that God's moral standards are not arbitrary but are designed to protect human relationships, prevent societal chaos, and foster a holy community set apart for Him. The severity of the curse underscores that certain sins, particularly those that defile the most intimate and foundational relationships, are an abomination to God and carry profound consequences, both for the individual and for the community that tolerates them. The communal "Amen" transforms individual transgression into a matter of corporate accountability, reminding Israel that their collective well-being was tied to their shared adherence to God's covenant.

* [Leviticus 18:6-18](/leviticus/18-6 "Leviticus 18:6-18 - Prohibited Sexual Relations")
* [Leviticus 20:14](/leviticus/20-14 "Leviticus 20:14 - Penalty for Marrying Mother-in-Law")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage is Honorable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 27:23, while addressing a specific ancient prohibition, carries profound and enduring relevance for believers today. It calls us to recognize that God's standards for sexual purity and the sanctity of family relationships are eternal and unchanging. In a world increasingly blurred by moral relativism, this verse serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness with which God views violations of His design for human sexuality and the integrity of the family. It challenges us to uphold biblical truth, not only in our personal lives but also within our communities, recognizing that hidden sins can defile and undermine the spiritual health of the body of Christ. Our "Amen" to God's righteous judgments should manifest in a commitment to holiness, a willingness to confront sin (both personal and corporate), and a deep respect for the boundaries God has established for our good. It invites us to consider how our actions, even those unseen by others, impact our relationship with God and the purity of the church.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "Amen" of the people in this passage challenge my understanding of corporate responsibility within the church today?**
* **In what ways does society's current understanding of family and sexual ethics diverge from God's unchanging standards as revealed in passages like Deuteronomy 27:23?**
* **What "hidden sins" in my own life or within my community might be an abomination to God, and how can I seek repentance and purity?**
* **How can I, as an individual, contribute to upholding God's design for sexual purity and family sanctity in my sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**Why is this specific sin—lying with a mother-in-law—included in a list of curses, and what made it so egregious?**

Answer: This specific sin, along with others in the list of curses in [Deuteronomy 27](/deuteronomy/27 "Deuteronomy 27 - The Covenant Renewal Ceremony"), was considered particularly egregious because it violated fundamental principles of kinship, purity, and social order established by God. Sexual relations with a mother-in-law were explicitly forbidden in the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 18:8](/leviticus/18-8 "Leviticus 18:8 - Prohibition Against Uncovering Father's Wife's Nakedness"); [Leviticus 20:14](/leviticus/20-14 "Leviticus 20:14 - Penalty for Marrying Mother-in-Law")) as an "abomination." Such an act deeply defiled the family unit, which was the foundational building block of Israelite society, and undermined the sacred boundaries of familial relationships. Its inclusion in this list of curses, many of which were "hidden" sins, emphasized that God sees and judges even those transgressions committed in secret, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of His moral law and the severe consequences of violating His covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 27:23 pronounces a curse upon a specific sexual transgression under the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment and resolution are found in Christ. The curse itself highlights the profound reality of human sin and its defiling power, demonstrating that no one under the Law could perfectly uphold God's righteous standards. Every "Cursed be he" points to humanity's desperate need for a redeemer who could bear the curse of the Law. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law") declares that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'" Jesus, the sinless Son of God, willingly took upon Himself the full weight of God's righteous judgment against all sin, including those hidden transgressions that defile the heart and community. He became the ultimate "Amen" to God's justice, not by affirming the curse upon Himself as a sinner, but by fulfilling the Law's demands and absorbing its penalty on behalf of His people. Through His atoning sacrifice, believers are no longer under the curse of the Law but are reconciled to God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of holiness and purity, reflecting God's original design for human relationships and the sanctity of the body as a temple of the Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")).

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 20:14

And if a man take a wife and her mother, it [is] wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.

Leviticus 18:17

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; [for] they [are] her near kinswomen: it [is] wickedness.