Deuteronomy 27:24

24 Cursed is he that slayeth privily his neighbour; and all the people shall say, Amen! (Cursed is anyone who secretly killeth his neighbour; and all the people shall say, Amen!) Cursed is he that sleepeth with his neighbour's wife; 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 is he that sleepeth with his sister, the daughter of his father, either of his mother; and all the people shall say, Amen!
23 Cursed is he that sleepeth with his wife's mother; and all the people shall say, Amen!
24 Cursed is he that slayeth privily his neighbour; and all the people shall say, Amen! (Cursed is anyone who secretly killeth his neighbour; and all the people shall say, Amen!) Cursed is he that sleepeth with his neighbour's wife; and all the people shall say, Amen!
25 Cursed is he that taketh gifts, that he smite the life of innocent blood; and all the people shall say, Amen! (Cursed is anyone who taketh money, or a reward, to kill an innocent person; and all the people shall say, Amen!)
26 Cursed is he that abideth not in the words of this law, neither fulfilleth them in work (nor fulfilleth them with deeds); and all the people shall say, Amen!
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.