Deuteronomy 27:22
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 27:22
22 Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 27 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of mercy, righteousness, love. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-26: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 27:22
22 Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Analysis
Cursed be he that lieth with his sister—the Hebrew shochev (שֹׁכֵב, lies with) uses covenant violation language. Leviticus 18:9 and 20:17 explicitly prohibit this incest, calling it chesed (חֶסֶד, disgrace/shame, not to be confused with the positive hesed). The arur (אָרוּר, cursed) formula marks covenant-breaking that severs one from God's blessing and community.
The precision—the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother—covers both full and half-siblings, closing any loophole. The communal response And all the people shall say, Amen makes every Israelite complicit in enforcing God's sexual purity standards. To remain silent when such sin occurred was to share in the curse. This anticipates church discipline principles (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13).
Historical Context
These twelve curses (Deuteronomy 27:15-26) were proclaimed antiphonally at Mount Ebal as Israel entered Canaan (Joshua 8:30-35). Six tribes stood on Mount Gerizim for blessings, six on Mount Ebal for curses, with the Levites in the valley between declaring covenant conditions. The list emphasizes secret sins—violations done in darkness that human courts might not detect but that still brought divine judgment. Ancient Near Eastern cultures often tolerated incest among royalty (Egyptian pharaohs married siblings), but Israel's law reflected God's holiness.
Reflection
- How does the requirement that 'all the people shall say, Amen' challenge modern individualism that says 'it's none of my business' about others' sin?
- What does God's attention to secret sexual sins reveal about His comprehensive concern for holiness in every area of life?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Leviticus 18:9, 20:17, Ezekiel 22:11