Deuteronomy 27:25
Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Original Language Analysis
לֹקֵ֣חַ
be he that taketh
H3947
לֹקֵ֣חַ
be he that taketh
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
2 of 11
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
לְהַכּ֥וֹת
to slay
H5221
לְהַכּ֥וֹת
to slay
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
4 of 11
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
person
H5315
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
person
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
דָּ֣ם
H1818
דָּ֣ם
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
6 of 11
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Psalms 15:5He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.Deuteronomy 10:17For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:Deuteronomy 16:19Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Historical Context
Ancient courts operated with fewer procedural safeguards than modern systems. Two or three witnesses could secure execution (Deuteronomy 17:6), making false testimony especially dangerous. Professional witnesses who testified for payment corrupted justice, as did judges who accepted bribes to condemn the innocent while acquitting the guilty. The prophets repeatedly condemned such perversion of justice (Isaiah 1:23; Micah 3:11; Amos 5:12), which provoked God's judgment on Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this curse apply to modern systems where legal outcomes can be 'purchased' through expensive lawyers or influence?
- When you witness injustice against the innocent, do you say 'Amen' to God's curse by pursuing justice, or remain complicitly silent?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person—the Hebrew shochad (שֹׁחַד, bribe/reward) identifies corrupt judges, assassins-for-hire, or false witnesses paid to secure wrongful execution. The victim is naki (נָקִי, innocent/clean), legally blameless of capital crimes. This curse targets the corruption of justice for financial gain, echoing Exodus 23:7-8 and Deuteronomy 16:19.
The specificity—not just taking bribes generally, but specifically to kill the innocent—highlights bloodguilt as particularly abominable. Those who pervert justice to kill share guilt with the actual executioner. Jesus died as the ultimate innocent one killed through bribed false witnesses and corrupt religious/political theater (Matthew 26:59-66; John 19:6). Every Christian says 'Amen' to God's curse on those who crucified Christ, yet recognizes our own sin put Him there.