Deuteronomy 27:24
Deuteronomy 27:24 in Multiple Translations
‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbor in secret. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed is he who takes his neighbour's life secretly. And let all the people say, So be it.
“A curse on anyone who secretly attacks his neighbor!” Everyone says “Amen!”
Cursed be hee that smiteth his neyghbour secretly: And all the people shall say: So be it.
'Cursed [is] he who is smiting his neighbour in secret, — and all the people have said, Amen.
‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbor secretly: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that secretly killeth his neighbour: and all the people shall say: Amen.
‘Yahweh will curse anyone who secretly murders someone else.’ And all the people must reply, ‘◄Amen/We want that to happen►.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 27:24
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 27:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָר֕וּר
מַכֵּ֥ה
רֵעֵ֖/הוּ
בַּ/סָּ֑תֶר
וְ/אָמַ֥ר
כָּל
הָ/עָ֖ם
אָמֵֽן
אָר֕וּר
ʼârar
H779
to curse
V-Qal-Inf-c
מַכֵּ֥ה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
V-Hiphil
רֵעֵ֖/הוּ
rêaʻ
H7453
neighbor
N-ms | Suff
בַּ/סָּ֑תֶר
çêther
H5643
secrecy
Prep | N-ms
וְ/אָמַ֥ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הָ/עָ֖ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Art | N-ms
אָמֵֽן
ʼâmên
H543
amen
Adv
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 27:24
אָר֕וּר
ʼârar
H779
"to curse"
V-Qal-Inf-c
To curse someone or something, like God cursing the serpent in Genesis 3. It means to execrate or wish harm upon someone, often used in the context of punishment or judgment. This word appears in various biblical accounts.
Definition: 1) to curse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to curse 1a2) cursed be he (participle used as in curses) 1b) (Niphal) to be cursed, cursed 1c)(Piel) to curse, lay under a curse, put a curse on 1d) (Hophal) to be made a curse, be cursed
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bitterly curse. See also: Genesis 3:14; Deuteronomy 27:23; Psalms 119:21.
מַכֵּ֥ה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
V-Hiphil
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
רֵעֵ֖/הוּ
rêaʻ
H7453
"neighbor"
N-ms | Suff
A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.
Definition: 1) friend, companion, fellow, another person 1a) friend, intimate 1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense) 1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
Usage: Occurs in 173 OT verses. KJV: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. See also: Genesis 11:3; Job 42:7; Psalms 12:3.
בַּ/סָּ֑תֶר
çêther
H5643
"secrecy"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a shelter or covering, like a place to hide. It can also mean protection, as in Psalm 18:11 where God is a shelter from danger.
Definition: 1) covering, shelter, hiding place, secrecy 1a) covering, cover 1b) hiding place, shelter, secret place 1c) secrecy 1c1) secrecy (of tongue being slanderous)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: backbiting, covering, covert, [idiom] disguise(-th), hiding place, privily, protection, secret(-ly, place). See also: Deuteronomy 13:7; Psalms 61:5; Psalms 18:12.
וְ/אָמַ֥ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הָ/עָ֖ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
אָמֵֽן
ʼâmên
H543
"amen"
Adv
Amen means something is true or faithful, like a promise or a statement of fact. Jesus often used it to begin his teachings, as in Matthew 5:18. It expresses certainty or agreement.
Definition: verily, truly, amen, so be it
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: Amen, so be it, truth. See also: Numbers 5:22; Deuteronomy 27:26; Psalms 41:14.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 27:24
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 27:24 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 27:24
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:24
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:24
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:24
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 27:24
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:24
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 27:24
Context — Curses Pronounced from Ebal
22‘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!’
23‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
24‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
25‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 26‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 35:31 | You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death. |
| 2 | Leviticus 24:17 | And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 11:15–17 | In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.” So as Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he saw the strongest enemy soldiers. And when the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of David’s servants fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died. |
| 4 | Exodus 20:13 | You shall not murder. |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 3:27 | When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 19:11–12 | If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. |
| 7 | 2 Samuel 12:9–12 | Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own, for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ This is what the LORD says: ‘I will raise up adversity against you from your own house. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to another, and he will lie with them in broad daylight. You have acted in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” |
| 8 | Exodus 21:12–14 | Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death. |
| 9 | 2 Samuel 13:28 | Now Absalom had ordered his young men, “Watch Amnon until his heart is merry with wine, and when I order you to strike Amnon down, you are to kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant!” |
| 10 | 2 Samuel 20:9–10 | “Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri. |
Deuteronomy 27:24 Summary
This verse is saying that it's very wrong to hurt or kill someone in secret, without anyone knowing, as seen in Deuteronomy 27:24. This is because God values human life and wants us to treat each other with love and respect, as taught in Exodus 20:13 and Matthew 5:21-22. We should always try to be kind and honest in our interactions with others, and seek to build each other up, rather than tearing each other down. By doing so, we can show our love for God and for those around us, as encouraged in John 13:35 and 1 John 4:7-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to strike down a neighbor in secret?
This verse is referring to the act of murdering or harming someone in a hidden or secretive manner, without being held accountable, as seen in Deuteronomy 27:24, and it is a grave sin in the eyes of God, as also warned against in Exodus 20:13 and Matthew 5:21-22.
Why is this action considered a curse?
This action is considered a curse because it goes against the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves, as taught in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39, and it shows a complete disregard for human life and the well-being of those around us.
How can we apply this verse to our everyday lives?
We can apply this verse by being mindful of our actions and how they may affect those around us, and by treating others with kindness, respect, and compassion, as encouraged in Proverbs 24:23-25 and Romans 13:9-10.
What is the significance of the people saying 'Amen' after this curse?
The people saying 'Amen' after this curse is a way of affirming their agreement with God's judgment and their commitment to upholding His laws and standards, as seen in Deuteronomy 27:15-26 and Nehemiah 5:13.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be secretly harming or hurting those around me, and how can I make amends?
- How can I show love and kindness to my neighbors, as commanded in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be harboring secret sins or hurts, and how can I bring them to light and seek healing?
- How can I use my words and actions to build up and encourage those around me, rather than tearing them down in secret?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 27:24
Cursed [be] he that smiteth his neighbour secretly,.... And kills him, and the murder is not known; the curse of God follows such, and overtakes them sooner or later.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:24
Smiteth, i.e. killeth, as that word is oft used.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:24
Deuteronomy 27:24 Cursed [be] he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.Ver. 24. That smiteth.] Either with violent hand or virulent tongue.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:24
(24) That smiteth his neighbour secretly.-”Spoken of a backbiting tongue” (Rashi).
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 27:24
24. Cp. Deuteronomy 5:17; E, Exodus 20:13; Exodus 21:12; H, Leviticus 24:17. The addition, in secret (Deuteronomy 27:15, Deuteronomy 13:6 (7), Deuteronomy 28:57), is nowhere else attached to murder.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:24
14-26. The Levites shall speak — These twelve curses were to be pronounced against transgressors of the law. The first is against those who make graven or molten images. Comp. Exodus 20:4.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 27:24
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Preaching Prohibition by Billy Sunday | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of truth and the consequences of lying. They emphasize that the United States seems to have lost sight of this, with corruption |
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How to Bring Your Children to Christ by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences and observations about the transformative power of God's word. He emphasizes the importance of having a fear of God and reco |
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(Basics) 14. Maximum or Minimum for the Lord by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the difference between a servant and a son in terms of their mindset and approach to fulfilling their duties. He explains that the old covenan |
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Walking in the Light by Corrie Ten Boom | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not making excuses for the blood of Jesus and instead accepting the truth of forgiveness through Him. The speaker encourage |
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From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Daniel) ch.1:8-2:35 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of obeying God's commandments, even the seemingly minor ones. He references four passages of scripture that forbid certain act |
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The Ultimate Statistic by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about running a club for kids and distributing candy. He notices the greed and unfairness in the line and decides to give the ca |
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A "Very Good" Marriage by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our needs and having faith in God's ability to meet them. He references the creation story in Genesis, highli |