Deuteronomy 27:24

24 Cursed is he that smites his neighbour secretly: and all the people shall say, So be it.

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 he that lies with his sister by his father or his mother: and all the people shall say, So be it.

23 Cursed is he that lies with his daughter-in-law: and all the people shall say, So be it. Cursed is he that lies with his wife's sister: and all the people shall say, So be it.

24 Cursed is he that smites his neighbour secretly: and all the people shall say, So be it.

25 Cursed is he whosoever shall have taken a bribe to slay an innocent man: and all the people shall say, So be it.

26 Cursed is every man that continues not in all the words of this law to do them: and all the people shall say, So be it.