Deuteronomy 27:19
Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Original Language Analysis
מַטֶּ֛ה
be he that perverteth
H5186
מַטֶּ֛ה
be he that perverteth
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
2 of 10
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
מִשְׁפַּ֥ט
the judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפַּ֥ט
the judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 10:18He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.Deuteronomy 24:17Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge:Proverbs 17:23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.Malachi 3:5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.Proverbs 31:5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.Exodus 23:2Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:Micah 3:9Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern societies routinely exploited those without male family protectors. Widows lost property rights, orphans were disinherited or enslaved, and foreigners faced discrimination and violence. Israel's law was radically counter-cultural in establishing legal protections and requiring positive care. The prophets repeatedly condemned Israel for violating these protections (Isaiah 1:23, 10:2; Jeremiah 7:6, 22:3; Ezekiel 22:7), showing that this curse was tragically often deserved.
Questions for Reflection
- Who are the modern equivalents of 'stranger, fatherless, and widow' in your community—those lacking advocates and vulnerable to exploitation?
- How does your church's budget, time allocation, and ministry priorities reflect God's concern for the vulnerable, or does it mirror society's neglect?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow—The Hebrew matteh mishpat (מַטֶּה מִשְׁפָּט) means to twist or pervert justice for three particularly vulnerable groups: ger (stranger/sojourner), yatom (fatherless), and almanah (widow). These categories lacked natural advocates—no family connections, legal standing, or economic power to defend their rights.
This triad appears repeatedly throughout Scripture as God's special concern (Deuteronomy 10:18, 24:17-21, 27:19; Psalm 68:5, 146:9; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 7:6; Zechariah 7:10; James 1:27). Perverted judgment includes biased legal verdicts, denial of rights, economic exploitation, and withholding care. God Himself acts as their defender (Exodus 22:22-24, Psalm 68:5), making oppression of the vulnerable a direct challenge to divine justice.
The New Testament extends this principle through the Church's responsibility toward widows (1 Timothy 5:3-16), hospitality toward strangers (Hebrews 13:2), and care for the fatherless (James 1:27). Pure religion involves justice, not merely piety.