Deuteronomy 27:15
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
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
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
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
Cross References
Exodus 34:17Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.Exodus 20:4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:Deuteronomy 5:8Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:Leviticus 19:4Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.Leviticus 26:1Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.Exodus 20:23Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.1 Corinthians 14:16Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
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
- What 'secret place' idols—things you worship privately but wouldn't acknowledge publicly—might be under this curse in your life?
- How does the emphasis on idolatry as 'the work of the hands of the craftsman' challenge modern forms of self-made religion and self-help spirituality?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
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.