Deuteronomy Chapter 27 · Verse 15

Authorized King James Version

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Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

Original Language Analysis

אָר֣וּר Cursed H779
אָר֣וּר Cursed
Strong's: H779
Word #: 1 of 18
to execrate
הָאִ֡ישׁ be the man H376
הָאִ֡ישׁ be the man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 2 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 3 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַֽעֲשֶׂה֩ that maketh H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂה֩ that maketh
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 4 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
פֶ֨סֶל any graven H6459
פֶ֨סֶל any graven
Strong's: H6459
Word #: 5 of 18
an idol
וּמַסֵּכָ֜ה or molten image H4541
וּמַסֵּכָ֜ה or molten image
Strong's: H4541
Word #: 6 of 18
properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour
תּֽוֹעֲבַ֣ת an abomination H8441
תּֽוֹעֲבַ֣ת an abomination
Strong's: H8441
Word #: 7 of 18
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
יְהוָ֗ה unto the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֗ה unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 8 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֛ה the work H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֛ה the work
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 9 of 18
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יְדֵ֥י of the hands H3027
יְדֵ֥י of the hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 10 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
חָרָ֖שׁ of the craftsman H2796
חָרָ֖שׁ of the craftsman
Strong's: H2796
Word #: 11 of 18
a fabricator or any material
וְשָׂ֣ם and putteth H7760
וְשָׂ֣ם and putteth
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 12 of 18
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בַּסָּ֑תֶר it in a secret H5643
בַּסָּ֑תֶר it in a secret
Strong's: H5643
Word #: 13 of 18
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
וְעָנ֧וּ shall answer H6030
וְעָנ֧וּ shall answer
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 14 of 18
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 15 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֛ם place And all the people H5971
הָעָ֛ם place And all the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 16 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְאָֽמְר֖וּ and say H559
וְאָֽמְר֖וּ and say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 17 of 18
to say (used with great latitude)
אָמֵֽן׃ Amen H543
אָמֵֽן׃ Amen
Strong's: H543
Word #: 18 of 18
sure; abstract, faithfulness; adverb, truly

Analysis & Commentary

Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image—This first curse addresses idolatry, the fundamental covenant violation that breaks the First and Second Commandments. The Hebrew pesel (graven image) refers to carved idols, while massekah (molten image) indicates cast metal images. Both are to'evah (abomination)—a term expressing God's intense revulsion toward idolatry.

The phrase the work of the hands of the craftsman (מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵי חָרָשׁ) emphasizes the absurdity of worshiping human creations. Isaiah 44:9-20 brilliantly satirizes this irrationality. The specification in a secret place reveals that these curses target hidden sins, not just public violations—God sees what humans conceal.

And all the people shall answer and say, Amen—The congregation's amen (אָמֵן, "so be it" or "truly") constitutes covenant self-malediction. By saying amen to each curse, Israel invoked judgment upon themselves if they committed these sins. This wasn't passive listening but active oath-taking, making each person individually accountable.

Historical Context

Israel's constant temptation toward idolatry (the golden calf, Exodus 32; Baal worship, Numbers 25) made this curse foundational. Ancient Near Eastern religion centered on images as dwelling places for deities, but YHWH's imageless worship was radically unique. Archaeological excavations throughout Israel have uncovered numerous household idols and figurines, confirming that secret idolatry plagued Israel throughout its history, exactly as this curse anticipated.

Questions for Reflection