Deuteronomy 27 18

Deuteronomy 27:18 kjv

Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Deuteronomy 27:18 nkjv

'Cursed is the one who makes the blind to wander off the road.' "And all the people shall say, 'Amen!'

Deuteronomy 27:18 niv

"Cursed is anyone who leads the blind astray on the road." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

Deuteronomy 27:18 esv

"'Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'

Deuteronomy 27:18 nlt

'Cursed is anyone who leads a blind person astray on the road.' And all the people will reply, 'Amen.'

Deuteronomy 27 verses

Deuteronomy 27 18 Meaning

This verse declares a divine curse upon anyone who intentionally misleads or causes a blind person to go astray. It underscores the profound gravity of exploiting the most vulnerable members of society, viewing such an act as a severe violation against God's justice and care. The communal "Amen" signifies the people's understanding and agreement with the justness and truth of this decree, committing them corporately to uphold this ethical standard.

Deuteronomy 27 18 Context

Deuteronomy 27:18 is part of a solemn ceremony described in Deuteronomy 27 and 28, where the Israelites are commanded to publicly affirm the covenant with Yahweh upon entering the Promised Land. Specifically, chapter 27 outlines a ritual performed between Mount Gerizim (the mountain of blessings) and Mount Ebal (the mountain of curses). Six tribes were to stand on each mountain. The Levites were to recite a series of twelve curses, each addressing a particular transgression, with "all the people" responding with a resounding "Amen." These curses primarily target actions that are hidden from public view, or wrongs that could go unpunished by human courts but are known to God and break covenant fidelity. These specific curses, including the one in verse 18, highlight Yahweh's concern for ethical purity, social justice, and protection of the vulnerable within the community. Historically, such public declarations were potent ways to embed covenant law deeply into the collective consciousness and warn against transgressions that undermine societal well-being.

Deuteronomy 27 18 Word analysis

• Cursed: (Hebrew: 'arar, אָרוּר) This word signifies a strong declaration of divine disapproval, bringing forth severe consequences or misfortune upon the violator. It implies separation from divine blessing and often denotes a state of exclusion from God's favor and community. In the ancient Near East, curses were powerful, performative utterances believed to bring about the stated ill effects. Here, it is not merely a wish but a prophetic decree.
• be he that maketh: (Hebrew: 'āśâ, עֹשֶׂה - 'one who makes/does') Refers to the agent, the active party deliberately carrying out the harmful action. It emphasizes culpability and intent behind the act.
• the blind: (Hebrew: 'iwwēr, עִוֵּר) Refers to a physically sightless person, someone deprived of vision. In ancient societies, the blind were particularly dependent and vulnerable, easily exploited due to their physical limitation. This term evokes sympathy and highlights the profound cruelty of preying on such weakness.
• to wander out of the way: (Hebrew: taʿah, תֹּעֶה - causative of ta'ah, meaning to wander, err, go astray) This phrase describes actively misleading or causing someone to deviate from the correct or safe path. It suggests deception and exploitation, guiding the blind person towards danger or away from their intended destination, perhaps for personal gain or simply out of malicious intent. This act is a severe breach of trust and compassion.
• And all the people: This emphasizes the communal responsibility. The law is not just for individuals but for the entire community. It highlights that everyone present is expected to internalize, uphold, and enforce these divine standards within their society.
• shall say, Amen: (Hebrew: 'āmen, אָמֵן) A transliteration of the Hebrew word meaning "so be it," "truly," or "it is certain." When spoken in this context, it signifies full, public assent and affirmation. It implies that the people understand the justice of the curse and accept its validity and implications, committing themselves collectively to the covenant standard. It transforms a divine decree into a community's shared obligation.

• "Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way": This phrase encapsulates a specific act of gross injustice and malicious exploitation. It speaks to a heart lacking basic human decency and compassion, deliberately taking advantage of extreme vulnerability. This curse is aimed at the specific type of sin that exploits weaknesses, whether physical, social, or perhaps even intellectual, highlighting a profound moral corruption.
• "And all the people shall say, Amen": This corporate response is crucial. It transforms the curse from a mere judicial pronouncement into a shared covenant affirmation. By saying "Amen," the community commits itself not only to agreeing that such an act is wrong but also to upholding the principles of justice and protection for the vulnerable within their society. It serves as a public oath of accountability.

Deuteronomy 27 18 Bonus section

This curse can be understood in a broader sense to include spiritual blindness. Just as physically blind individuals are dependent on sighted guides, people lacking spiritual discernment or truth are vulnerable to those who would mislead them. In the New Testament, Jesus frequently condemned the religious leaders (Pharisees and Scribes) as "blind guides" who led their followers astray through hypocrisy and misinterpretation of the Law (e.g., Mt 15:14, 23:16). This spiritual application means that anyone who deliberately leads another away from the truth of God, whether through false teaching or by setting a bad example, falls under a similar spiritual condemnation, demonstrating a profound spiritual "stumbling block" to others. The act of "making to wander out of the way" resonates strongly with those who twist scripture, exploit their flock, or prioritize self-gain over the spiritual welfare of those they claim to lead, revealing a timeless principle about the dangers of deception and exploitation, both physical and spiritual.

Deuteronomy 27 18 Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:18 unveils a deeply rooted divine concern for the most vulnerable members of society. This specific curse is not arbitrary; it targets a particularly malicious form of exploitation. Misleading a blind person, someone entirely dependent on others for direction and safety, epitomizes a profound lack of compassion and an abuse of trust. It goes beyond mere negligence to active malevolence or calculated deception, potentially putting the blind person in physical danger or causing them severe distress.

The inclusion of this curse within the twelve covenant curses in Deuteronomy underscores its ethical significance. These curses, proclaimed from Mount Ebal, primarily addressed "secret" sins, acts not easily discoverable by human courts but directly affronting God's righteous character and disrupting the community's integrity. Such hidden cruelty reveals a heart fundamentally opposed to God's law of love and justice. This verse stands as a powerful indictment of those who use another's disadvantage for their own nefarious ends, or even just for cruel amusement. It affirms that God is the ultimate protector of the defenseless and will bring judgment upon those who harm them.

The public affirmation of "Amen" by "all the people" transformed these curses into a collective covenant. It meant that every Israelite understood and assented to the gravity of such an offense, taking a communal responsibility to abhor and guard against such practices within their midst. It built a moral framework where compassion for the weakest was not just a suggestion but a covenantal imperative, divinely enforced. This teaches that true religion involves actively safeguarding the weak and punishing those who exploit them, reflecting God’s own justice and compassion.