Deuteronomy 27:16 kjv
Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:16 nkjv
'Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.' "And all the people shall say, 'Amen!'
Deuteronomy 27:16 niv
"Cursed is anyone who dishonors their father or mother." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
Deuteronomy 27:16 esv
"'Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
Deuteronomy 27:16 nlt
'Cursed is anyone who dishonors father or mother.' And all the people will reply, 'Amen.'
Deuteronomy 27 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 20:12 | "Honor your father and your mother..." | Fifth Commandment on honoring parents. |
| Lev 19:3 | "Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father..." | Emphasizes reverence for parents. |
| Prov 20:20 | "If one curses his father or mother, his lamp will be put out in deep darkness." | A consequence for cursing parents. |
| Prov 30:17 | "The eye that mocks a father and scorns a mother’s instruction..." | Divine judgment for mocking parents. |
| Matt 15:4-6 | "For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’" | Jesus reaffirms the command and penalty. |
| Mark 7:10-13 | "For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’..." | Jesus condemns hypocrisy regarding parental care. |
| Eph 6:2-3 | "Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may go well with you..." | Apostolic exhortation to honor parents with promise. |
| Col 3:20 | "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." | General Christian principle of parental obedience. |
| 2 Tim 3:2 | "For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money... disobedient to parents..." | Disobedience to parents as a sign of societal decay. |
| Rom 1:30 | "God-haters, insolent, haughty, boastful... disobedient to parents..." | List of sins reflecting a reprobate mind. |
| Deut 5:16 | "‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you..." | Reiteration of the command in Deut. |
| Deut 28:15 | "But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God..." | The broader context of curses for disobedience. |
| Deut 21:18-21 | Law concerning a rebellious and stubborn son. | Severe consequences for extreme parental disrespect. |
| Jer 35:1-19 | The Rechabites, honored for their obedience to their father's command. | Illustrates the blessings of obedience to parents. |
| Gal 3:10 | "For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse..." | Highlights that breaking any law brings a curse. |
| Ezek 22:7 | "Father and mother are treated with contempt in you..." | A divine indictment against Israel for their sins. |
| Mic 7:6 | "For the son treats the father with contempt..." | Prophetic warning about societal breakdown and disrespect. |
| Prov 19:26 | "He who robs his father and drives out his mother..." | Equates dishonoring parents with theft and abandonment. |
| 1 Tim 5:4 | "...children or grandchildren should learn first of all to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents..." | Practical parental care in the New Testament. |
| Exod 21:17 | "Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death." | Capital punishment for extreme parental offense. |
| Luke 18:20 | Jesus references the commandment to honor father and mother. | Jesus upholds the validity of the law. |
Deuteronomy 27 verses
Deuteronomy 27 16 Meaning
Deuteronomy 27:16 declares a solemn curse upon anyone who treats their father or mother lightly, with contempt, or disrespects their authority. This curse underscores the profound importance of parental honor within the covenant community of Israel, indicating that dishonoring parents is not merely a social slight but a grave offense against God's established order and covenant commands.
Deuteronomy 27 16 Context
Deuteronomy 27 is part of Moses' farewell discourse to the Israelites before entering the Promised Land. It details a significant covenant renewal ceremony where half of the tribes were to stand on Mount Gerizim for blessings and the other half on Mount Ebal for curses. This specific verse (27:16) is one of the twelve curses proclaimed, each directed against a specific sin, often one committed in secret. The sins listed range from idolatry to injustices against the vulnerable. The repeated "Amen" from all the people signifies their corporate agreement to these divine judgments and their solemn commitment to the covenant. This curse emphasizes the divine institution of family and parental authority, placing disrespect for parents on par with other egregious sins like secret idolatry and moving a neighbor's boundary stone. The very public nature of the curse for what might be a private act highlights God's penetrating sight and His commitment to justice and social order.
Deuteronomy 27 16 Word analysis
- Cursed (אָרוּר, arur): Implies being "bound" or "restrained" from blessing. It is an emphatic declaration of God's disapproval and impending judgment. It means to be shut off from divine favor and subjected to adverse consequences. This is not merely an expression of human anger but a formal, divine pronouncement with far-reaching effects.
- be anyone (אִישׁ, 'ish): Refers to a male person, but in this context, it often stands as a general term for "person" or "whoever." It implies universal application within the covenant community. No one is exempt from this law.
- who dishonors (מַקְלֶה, maqleh, Hiphil participle from קָלָה, qalah): This verb means to make light of, treat lightly, show contempt, make little of, diminish the weight or significance of something or someone. It is the antithesis of "honor" (כָּבֵד, kaved), which means to make heavy or give weight to. Maqleh is an active participle, meaning "he who is causing to treat lightly." It's not passive neglect but active degradation or contempt, deliberately devaluing or belittling parental authority. This active participle suggests an ongoing state or deliberate action, not a one-off mistake.
- their father (אָבִיו, 'aviv): The paternal figure, source of lineage and often authority.
- or their mother (וְאִמּוֹ, v'immo): The maternal figure, equally authoritative and worthy of honor. The conjunction "or" indicates that disrespect to either parent, individually, incurs the curse, not just both together.
- secretly. (baseter / This is from other versions that phrase this line as 'doing so secretly', However, the specific wording "who dishonors his father or his mother" itself doesn't explicitly state "secretly." The 'secret' aspect applies to many curses in Deut 27:15-25 as they target sins often not seen by human eyes, emphasizing God's omniscient judgment, hence why a public curse would be proclaimed for them). In essence, it highlights God's pervasive sight even when human justice might not detect the offense. The Hebrew verb implies the deliberate internal attitude that results in outward disrespect.
- "Cursed be anyone who dishonors...": This phrase forms a distinct category of the curses of Ebal, pronounced in a performative speech act, sealing the covenant obligations. It means such a person will surely be subject to divine disfavor.
- "...their father or their mother": This pairing emphasizes the joint and equal authority and deservingness of respect from both parents. There is no hierarchical distinction here in terms of the gravity of dishonor. The curse applies equally for disrespect shown to either. This foundational relationship forms the bedrock of family and societal order, divinely instituted and protected.
Deuteronomy 27 16 Bonus section
The strength of the verb qalah (to treat lightly/with contempt) here, contrasted with kaved (to honor/make heavy), is crucial. It’s not simply about outward acts of disobedience but an inward disposition of devaluing or despising parents. This is particularly grievous because parents are the initial human authority God places in a child's life, and rebellion against them can be a stepping stone to rebellion against God. Some ancient cultures allowed child abandonment or harsh treatment of the elderly; Israel’s law directly counters this, emphasizing divine protection for parents. The inclusion of this curse reinforces that the stability of the family is foundational to the stability and spiritual health of the entire nation, essential for the fulfillment of the covenant and the enjoyment of the promised land. It links social harmony directly to divine blessing or curse.
Deuteronomy 27 16 Commentary
Deuteronomy 27:16 is a potent declaration of divine wrath against a sin that strikes at the very core of Israelite society and God's design for the family. While Exodus 20:12 commands "Honor your father and mother," this verse pronounces a severe curse for dishonoring them, using language (maqleh) that denotes active contempt or belittling, rather than mere neglect. This suggests a deliberate intent to diminish their standing or authority. The placement of this curse among others often committed secretly (e.g., secret idolatry, moving a landmark) highlights that parental dishonor, though potentially hidden from public view, is seen and judged by God with equal severity. It underscores God's omniscient justice and the fact that true obedience goes beyond outward compliance to inner disposition. The family unit, led by parents, is the foundational building block of society and faith transmission. To undermine it is to destabilize the entire community. Practical applications include fostering genuine reverence and gratitude for parents, recognizing their God-given authority, and providing care as they age. This also implies teaching children from a young age the importance of respect and obedience, which extends to all legitimate authority in life, as a reflection of honoring God Himself.