Deuteronomy 27:25
Deuteronomy 27:25 in Multiple Translations
‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that taketh a bribe to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed is he who for a reward puts to death one who has done no wrong. And let all the people say, So be it.
“A curse on anyone who accepts a bribe to kill someone who's innocent!” Everyone says “Amen!”
Cursed be he that taketh a reward to put to death innocent blood: And all the people shall say: So be it.
'Cursed [is] he who is taking a bribe to smite a person, innocent blood, — and all the people have said, Amen.
‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person: and all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that taketh gifts, to slay an innocent person: and all the people shall say: Amen.
‘Yahweh will curse anyone who accepts a bribe to murder someone who ◄is innocent/has not done something that is wrong.►’ And all the people must reply, ‘◄Amen/We want that to happen►.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 27:25
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 27:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָרוּר֙
לֹקֵ֣חַ
שֹׁ֔חַד
לְ/הַכּ֥וֹת
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
דָּ֣ם
נָקִ֑י
וְ/אָמַ֥ר
כָּל
הָ/עָ֖ם
אָמֵֽן
אָרוּר֙
ʼârar
H779
to curse
V-Qal-Inf-c
לֹקֵ֣חַ
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal
שֹׁ֔חַד
shachad
H7810
bribe
N-ms
לְ/הַכּ֥וֹת
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs
דָּ֣ם
dâm
H1818
blood
N-ms
נָקִ֑י
nâqîy
H5355
innocent
Adj
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 27:25
אָרוּר֙
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.
לֹקֵ֣חַ
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
שֹׁ֔חַד
shachad
H7810
"bribe"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to a gift given to influence someone, often in a wrong way. It can also mean a present or reward, like in 1 Samuel 1:18 where Hannah gives a gift to Eli. The word is about giving something to get something in return.
Definition: present, bribe
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: bribe(-ry), gift, present, reward. See also: Exodus 23:8; Psalms 26:10; Psalms 15:5.
לְ/הַכּ֥וֹת
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
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.
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
דָּ֣ם
dâm
H1818
"blood"
N-ms
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
נָקִ֑י
nâqîy
H5355
"innocent"
Adj
Innocent or guiltless, this word is used to describe someone who is morally clean or free from blame, such as Noah in Genesis 6:9. It emphasizes a person's integrity and moral purity.
Definition: 1) clean, free from, exempt, clear, innocent 1a) free from guilt, clean, innocent 1b) free from punishment 1c) free or exempt from obligations Also means: na.qi (נָקִיא "innocent" H5355B)
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: blameless, clean, clear, exempted, free, guiltless, innocent, quit. See also: Genesis 24:41; Job 9:23; Psalms 10:8.
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 27:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Curses Pronounced from Ebal
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 | Deuteronomy 10:17 | For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe. |
| 2 | Exodus 23:7–8 | Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. |
| 3 | Psalms 15:5 | who lends his money without interest and refuses a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 16:19 | Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. |
| 5 | Micah 3:10–11 | who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity. Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” |
| 6 | Matthew 26:15 | and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. |
| 7 | Acts 1:18 | (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 22:12–13 | In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD. Now look, I strike My hands together against your unjust gain and against the blood you have shed in your midst. |
| 9 | Proverbs 1:11–29 | If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit. We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder. Throw in your lot with us; let us all share one purse”— my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path. For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood. How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it! But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives. Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors. Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. |
| 10 | Matthew 27:3–4 | When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” |
Deuteronomy 27:25 Summary
This verse is saying that it's very wrong to take money or something else of value to hurt or kill someone who hasn't done anything wrong, as seen in Exodus 20:13. This is a serious sin in God's eyes, and it's important for us to treat others with fairness and respect, as seen in Jeremiah 7:6. We should always try to do what is right and just, even if it's hard or unpopular, and trust in God's goodness and provision, as seen in Psalm 37:3-4. By following God's law and living with integrity, we can build strong relationships with others and with God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to accept a bribe to kill an innocent person in Deuteronomy 27:25?
This verse refers to the act of taking money or other forms of compensation to commit murder, which is a grave sin in God's eyes, as seen in Exodus 20:13 and Jeremiah 7:6.
Is this verse only talking about physical murder, or can it apply to other forms of harm?
While the verse specifically mentions killing, the principle can be applied to any form of harm or injustice done to an innocent person, as seen in Jeremiah 22:3 and Proverbs 24:23-25.
What is the significance of the people saying 'Amen' after each curse in Deuteronomy 27?
The people's response of 'Amen' indicates their agreement with and confirmation of the curse, acknowledging the seriousness of the sin and the need for obedience to God's law, as seen in Deuteronomy 27:14-26 and Nehemiah 5:13.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Deuteronomy 27?
Deuteronomy 27:25 is part of a larger section where Moses pronounces curses on those who disobey God's law, emphasizing the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience, as seen in Deuteronomy 27:1-26 and Leviticus 26:14-39.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be tempted to compromise my values or integrity for personal gain, and how can I resist those temptations?
- How can I ensure that I am treating others with fairness and justice, especially those who may be vulnerable or marginalized?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be inadvertently causing harm or injustice to others, and what steps can I take to rectify those situations?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence for God's law and a greater commitment to living according to His principles?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 27:25
Cursed [be] he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person,.... As an assassin, to murder him privately; or as a judge, that takes a bribe to condemn to death an innocent person: so Aben Ezra
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:25
Deuteronomy 27:25 Cursed [be] he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.Ver. 25. Cursed be he that taketh reward.] Among the Romans, by the law of the twelve tables, it was death without any deliverance. The psalmist doometh this sin with exclusion out of heaven. That king of this land that was called St Edmund, was wont oft to say, There is not much difference betwixt those two words, prendere and pendere, to take gifts and to hang, and that the latter was the desert of the former. A bribing judge wants but a hurdle, a horse, and a halter, to do him right; as Belknap once said in another case.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 27:25
25. Cp. Deuteronomy 16:19, and E, Exodus 23:8, both against all bribes; Ezekiel 22:1-2, bribes to shed blood.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:25
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 27:25
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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When the Weak Are Destroyed by the Powerful by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the critical issue of abortion in his sermon 'When the Weak Are Destroyed by the Powerful,' emphasizing the need to speak for the voiceless and defend the s |
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Attributes of God (Series 1): The Justice of God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of a judge being caught between mercy and justice. He uses the example of a man torn between his love for a woman and his sense o |
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Jesus Heals a Lame Man at the Pool of Bethesda John 5:1-15 by David Servant | David Servant preaches about the healing of the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, highlighting the man's long suffering, the angel stirring the waters, and the missed opportunity f |
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Attributes of God #4 "God's Justice" by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the essential nature of God's justice, asserting that it is not merely an attribute but the very essence of God Himself. He explains that God's justice is per |
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God Helps Those Who Are Weak by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches about God's nature of helping the weak and helpless, emphasizing that God is the God of widows, orphans, and strangers. He highlights how God makes us weak to s |
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(Secrets of Victory) 11. God Helps Those Who Are Weak by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches on God's nature of helping the weak and helpless, emphasizing that God is the God of widows, orphans, and strangers. He highlights how God makes us weak to show |
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Prayer - 2 Peter 1:2, 3 by A.W. Pink | The preacher delves into the concept of impartiality, explaining that God does not show favoritism based on outward appearances or worldly standards. Various Bible verses are explo |