Deuteronomy 27:16
Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Original Language Analysis
מַקְלֶ֥ה
be he that setteth light
H7034
מַקְלֶ֥ה
be he that setteth light
Strong's:
H7034
Word #:
2 of 8
to be light (as implied in rapid motion), but figuratively, only (be [causatively, hold] in contempt)
אָבִ֖יו
by his father
H1
אָבִ֖יו
by his father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
3 of 8
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְאִמּ֑וֹ
or his mother
H517
וְאִמּ֑וֹ
or his mother
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
4 of 8
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Leviticus 19:3Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.Exodus 21:17And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.Exodus 20:12Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.Ezekiel 22:7In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.Leviticus 20:9For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures universally valued parental honor, but Israel's law uniquely grounded it in divine command rather than mere social convention. The death penalty for cursing parents (Exodus 21:17) shocked ancient audiences, as it does modern ones, but it emphasized the sacred nature of family relationships as reflections of covenant order. During Israel's later apostasy, parental dishonor became epidemic (Ezekiel 22:7, Micah 7:6), confirming covenant breakdown.
Questions for Reflection
- How do contemporary attitudes toward parental authority and elder respect reflect or reject biblical covenant values?
- In what ways might you be 'setting light by' parents—treating them as burdensome obligations rather than honoring them with weighty respect?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother—The Hebrew qalal (קָלַל, "setteth light by") means to treat with contempt, dishonor, or make light of—the opposite of kaved (honor, make heavy), used in the Fifth Commandment (Exodus 20:12). This curse protects family order and parental authority as the foundation of social stability and covenant transmission across generations.
Honoring parents was the first commandment with explicit promise (Ephesians 6:2-3)—long life in the land. Conversely, dishonoring parents brought covenant curse and premature death (Exodus 21:17, Leviticus 20:9). The New Testament maintains this principle (Mark 7:9-13, 1 Timothy 5:4), showing that family obligations persist across both covenants.
The placement of this curse immediately after idolatry is strategic—rebellion against parents parallels rebellion against God. Family breakdown precedes societal collapse. Conversely, covenant faithfulness flows through generations when children honor parents who teach God's law (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).