Deuteronomy 27 15

Deuteronomy 27:15 kjv

Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

Deuteronomy 27:15 nkjv

'Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.' "And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen!'

Deuteronomy 27:15 niv

"Cursed is anyone who makes an idol?a thing detestable to the LORD, the work of skilled hands?and sets it up in secret." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

Deuteronomy 27:15 esv

"'Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the LORD, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.' And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen.'

Deuteronomy 27:15 nlt

'Cursed is anyone who carves or casts an idol and secretly sets it up. These idols, the work of craftsmen, are detestable to the LORD.' And all the people will reply, 'Amen.'

Deuteronomy 27 verses

Deuteronomy 27 15 Meaning

Deuteronomy 27:15 declares a divine curse upon any individual who fabricates an idol, whether carved from wood or stone (a carved image) or cast from metal (a molten image). This act is explicitly labeled as an abomination, utterly detestable to the Lord, precisely because it is merely a human artifact fashioned by a craftsman's hands, yet set up for worship, even in secret. The verse then mandates that the entire community is to vocalize their assent to this curse by proclaiming "Amen," signifying their agreement with the just judgment and their commitment to uphold this fundamental principle of worship. This proclamation underscores the non-negotiable nature of exclusive devotion to God alone and the communal responsibility to renounce idolatry.

Deuteronomy 27 15 Context

Deuteronomy 27 is set within the larger framework of Moses' final discourse to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter specifically details the solemn covenant renewal ceremony to take place on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, once they have crossed the Jordan. Verses 11-13 assign specific tribes to each mountain – six tribes on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings and six on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses. Verse 15 inaugurates the series of twelve specific curses to be proclaimed from Mount Ebal by the Levites, with the entire congregation responding "Amen." This first curse directly addresses idolatry, the breaking of the First and Second Commandments, highlighting its fundamental opposition to the covenant relationship with YHWH. The curses target sins that are often committed in private or without direct human witness, emphasizing God's omniscient judgment and the internal purity required by the covenant. The emphasis on Mount Ebal for curses and Gerizim for blessings underscores the seriousness of disobedience and the choice Israel faced between life and death.

Deuteronomy 27 15 Word analysis

• Cursed (אָרוּר, arur):
  • Meaning: Declared to be under divine judgment, alienation, or rejection. It signifies a state of being cut off from divine favor and blessings, facing hardship, barrenness, or ruin as a consequence of transgression.
  • Significance: This is a solemn declaration of adverse consequence initiated by God. It directly contrasts with blessing and implies a separation from God's protection and provision. Its repetition throughout Deut 27:15-26 creates a profound sense of foreboding for disobedience.
• Man (אִישׁ, 'ish):
  • Meaning: Individual male human being.
  • Significance: While specified as "man," the prohibition generally applies to anyone, encompassing both males and females as a comprehensive term for humanity in covenant responsibility.
• Makes (עָשָׂה, 'asah):
  • Meaning: To make, to do, to fashion, to produce.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the active creation of the idol, distinguishing it from simply possessing one. This highlights intentional sin against God's direct command.
• Carved image (פֶּסֶל, pesel):
  • Meaning: An idol, image, or statue, typically carved or hewn from wood or stone.
  • Significance: Refers to idols sculpted or cut into form, often representing deities or objects of worship in pagan religions.
• Molten image (מַסֵּכָה, massekah):
  • Meaning: An idol, image, or statue cast or poured from molten metal.
  • Significance: Represents idols formed through metallurgy, showcasing the full range of physical idol-making processes. The pairing of pesel and massekah covers all common forms of material idolatry practiced by surrounding nations.
• Abomination (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah):
  • Meaning: Something detestable, abhorrent, disgusting, or ritually impure.
  • Significance: This strong term indicates God's utter revulsion and intense hatred for the practice. It's not just a dislike but a profound offense against His holy nature and covenant. Idolatry is singled out as one of the gravest "abominations" in the Hebrew Scriptures because it assaults God's exclusive claim to worship and reduces His divine essence to human craftsmanship.
• To the Lord (לַיהוָה, la'Yahweh):
  • Meaning: To YHWH, the personal covenant name of God.
  • Significance: Highlights that the offense is directly against the Sovereign God of Israel, not just a societal or religious custom. It emphasizes His singular authority and righteous standard.
• A thing made by the hands of a craftsman:
  • Meaning: Directly states that the idol is a human creation, a product of skilled labor, lacking any inherent divine power or life.
  • Significance: This is a strong polemic against pagan beliefs. It strips the idol of any mystique or supernatural origin, exposing it as nothing more than a human artifact. It contrasts the living God, Creator of all things, with the lifeless, created gods of the nations. It emphasizes the absurdity and futility of worshipping something fashioned by limited human hands.
• And sets it up in secret (וְשָׂם בַּסֵּתֶר, v'sam baseter):
  • Meaning: To put or place it, in a hidden or concealed manner.
  • Significance: The "secret" aspect is crucial. It covers not just overt public worship but also private, concealed idolatry, emphasizing that God's judgment reaches into the hidden motives and actions of the heart. This indicates that God demands total, heartfelt allegiance, not just outward conformity. It also implies an attempt to circumvent detection by community elders or leaders. This is why a communal "Amen" is needed, as the community must declare its shared disapproval even if individual instances are hidden.
• Amen (אָמֵן, 'amen):
  • Meaning: So be it; truly; faithfully; certainly. An affirmation of truth, agreement, and commitment to the preceding statement.
  • Significance: When spoken communally, it signifies corporate assent to the curse and an acceptance of its justice and consequence. It makes the entire community a witness and participant in the covenant oath. By saying "Amen," they collectively acknowledge the gravity of idolatry and commit to upholding the exclusive worship of YHWH.

Deuteronomy 27 15 Bonus section

The placement of this specific curse as the first in the series is highly significant, reiterating the centrality of the First and Second Commandments (Exo 20:3-6; Deut 5:7-10). It demonstrates that pure worship is the bedrock of Israel's relationship with YHWH. Any deviation into idolatry compromises the entire covenant. The "secret" aspect also prefigures Israel's later struggles, where external adherence often masked private syncretism and idolatry within homes, as depicted in prophetic literature like Ezekiel (Ezek 8:7-12). This verse thus demands a radical break from the religious practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations and a deep commitment to internal, spiritual purity as much as outward obedience. The covenant demands transparency and wholehearted devotion to God alone.

Deuteronomy 27 15 Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:15 serves as the inaugural declaration in a series of covenant curses, specifically targeting the foundational sin of idolatry. This verse's prime position underscores the absolute priority of exclusive monotheistic worship within Israel's covenant with YHWH. The very act of crafting any image, regardless of its material, for worship is explicitly an "abomination" – not merely disapproved, but utterly repulsive to God's holy nature. This profound detestation arises from two core issues: it attempts to confine or represent the limitless Creator within finite, created forms, and it displaces God's rightful sovereignty.

The phrase "a thing made by the hands of a craftsman" functions as a sharp polemic against all pagan deities. It desacralizes idols, exposing them as inert, powerless products of human skill, a stark contrast to the living, self-existent God of Israel. The inclusion of "in secret" emphasizes the scope of God's authority and judgment; no sin, particularly idolatry which undermines the very foundation of faith, can be hidden from His sight. It demands not just public adherence but a true inward heart devotion. The communal "Amen" transforms the declaration from a mere warning into a solemn, self-imprecatory oath, where every member of Israel personally assents to the curse if they or any within their community commit this fundamental transgression, even hidden from others. This collective affirmation highlights communal responsibility and vigilance against the spiritual decay wrought by idolatry.