Deuteronomy 27:24

24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly! And all the people shall say, Amen.

Deuteronomy 27:24 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:24

Cursed [be] he that smiteth his neighbour secretly
And kills him, and the murder is not known; the curse of God follows such, and overtakes them sooner or later. Some interpret this of smiting with the tongue, of secret backbiting and slander; so the Targum of Jonathan,

``that smiteth with the third tongue;''
or false accusation: and all the people shall say Amen;
as disapproving of and condemning such a practice, even slander, and especially murder.

Deuteronomy 27:24 In-Context

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.
23 Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law! And all the people shall say, Amen.
24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly! And all the people shall say, Amen.
25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to smite mortally [shedding] innocent blood! And all the people shall say, Amen.
26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them! And all the people shall say, Amen.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.