Deuteronomy 27:24

24 'Cursed is the one who kills his neighbor in secret.'^[a] And all the people will 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 is the one who sleeps with his sister, whether his father's daughter or his mother's daughter.' And all the people will say, 'Amen!'

23 'Cursed is the one who sleeps with his mother-in-law.' And all the people will say, 'Amen!'

24 'Cursed is the one who kills his neighbor in secret.' And all the people will say, 'Amen!'

25 'Cursed is the one who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.' And all the people will say, 'Amen!'

26 'Cursed is anyone who does not put the words of this law into practice.' And all the people will say, 'Amen!'

Footnotes

• [a]. Dt 5:17; Ex 20:13