Deuteronomy 27 26

Deuteronomy 27:26 kjv

Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Deuteronomy 27:26 nkjv

'Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.' "And all the people shall say, 'Amen!'

Deuteronomy 27:26 niv

"Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

Deuteronomy 27:26 esv

"'Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'

Deuteronomy 27:26 nlt

'Cursed is anyone who does not affirm and obey the terms of these instructions.' And all the people will reply, 'Amen.'

Deuteronomy 27 verses

Deuteronomy 27 26 Meaning

Deuteronomy 27:26 declares a divine curse upon any person who fails to uphold and perfectly fulfill all the requirements and commands of God's covenant law. It underscores the comprehensive and indivisible nature of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing that partial obedience is insufficient. The people's response of "Amen" signifies their solemn and communal agreement to this standard and the attached consequences. This verse acts as a capstone, summarizing the absolute demand for total obedience to the entire Law of God, highlighting the inherent righteousness and severity of His divine standard.

Deuteronomy 27 26 Context

Deuteronomy 27 is set during a solemn covenant renewal ceremony. Moses commanded the Israelites, upon entering the promised land, to gather between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. On Mount Ebal, large stones covered with plastered texts of the Law were to be erected, and an altar built. From Mount Ebal, six tribes would proclaim curses, and from Mount Gerizim, six tribes would proclaim blessings (though only curses are detailed in chapter 27). Verses 15-25 detail twelve specific curses for various secret sins, often related to idolatry, social injustice, or moral corruption that could evade public judgment. Each curse is followed by the people's collective "Amen," signifying their acceptance of the just judgment for such offenses. Verse 26, the final curse in this sequence, acts as a general, overarching condemnation against anyone who fails to confirm all the words of the entire Law. It broadens the scope from specific hidden transgressions to a comprehensive failure to uphold the covenant as a whole, thereby serving as a foundational summary for the detailed blessings and curses in the subsequent chapter, Deuteronomy 28. It highlights that the covenant demands perfect and unwavering obedience in every aspect, revealing God's perfect standard for righteousness.

Deuteronomy 27 26 Word analysis

• Cursed (אָרוּר, arur): This is a strong, declarative term signifying divine condemnation, separation from God's favor, and the imposition of a penalty. It is not merely misfortune but a specific divine judgment resulting from disobedience to a covenant. It indicates being subject to God's wrath and disfavor, leading to destructive consequences.
• be he that confirmeth not (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָקִים, asher lo-yaqim):
  • "he that confirmeth not": The Hebrew verb יָקִים (yaqim) means "to establish," "to uphold," "to stand up," or "to make stand firm." The negative "not" (lo) preceding it implies a failure not just to passively agree or assent, but to actively establish, maintain, or put into practice. It denotes a deliberate lack of commitment to upholding the Law's authority and demands. This signifies a failure to internalize, assent to, and consistently practice the commands. It's an absence of faithfulness in both heart and deed.
• all the words of this law (אֶת־דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת, et-dibrey haTorah hazot):
  • "all the words": The emphasis on "all" (כָּל, kol) is crucial. It underscores the totality and indivisibility of the Mosaic Law. It signifies that God's covenant demands complete obedience across its entire scope; failure in one area compromises the whole. This prevents selective obedience or attempts to rationalize partial compliance.
  • "this law": Refers to the entire corpus of commandments given by God through Moses, constituting the covenant framework between God and Israel. It's not a suggestion but a binding covenant document.
• to do them (לַעֲשׂוֹת אֹתָם, la'asot otam): This phrase specifies that the requirement is not merely intellectual understanding or passive acceptance, but active, consistent obedience and performance of the commandments. The emphasis is on outward manifestation and practical application of the Law's principles in daily life. Faith without works is dead.
• And all the people shall say (וְאָמַר כָּל־הָעָם, ve'amar kol-ha'am): This indicates a communal, unified, and solemn affirmation. The public utterance highlights shared responsibility and acceptance of the covenant terms and consequences. It's a formal and binding acknowledgment.
• Amen (אָמֵן, Amen): This Hebrew word signifies "so be it," "truly," "it is true," or "let it be affirmed." In this context, it is a formal and solemn assent to the preceding declaration of the curse, acknowledging its justice and expressing willingness to be bound by it. It serves as a public oath, committing the community to the covenant and its severe penalties for non-compliance.

Deuteronomy 27 26 Bonus section

This final curse in Deuteronomy 27:26 stands as a theological bridge. While the preceding eleven curses address specific and often secret transgressions (idolatry, dishonoring parents, moving boundary markers, misleading the blind, perverting justice, various sexual sins, and secret assault), this verse functions as a summary and comprehensive indictment against any form of disobedience to any part of the Law. It implies that sin, in essence, is a breach of the whole covenant, not just an isolated infraction. This universal curse for total non-compliance ensures that no one could claim righteousness based on selective obedience. It vividly portrays the stringent terms of the Old Covenant, which demanded a level of perfection that humanity, due to its fallen nature, could not consistently maintain. The public 'Amen' to such a profound curse underscores the people's understanding and agreement to these terms, binding them collectively and individually to God's high standards, making the subsequent provisions of grace in the New Covenant all the more astounding and necessary.

Deuteronomy 27 26 Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:26 is a cornerstone verse articulating the uncompromising standard of the Mosaic Law. It encapsulates the full weight of God's demands under the Old Covenant: perfect and complete obedience to every single "word" of "this law." The curse here is not for a specific sin, but for any failure to uphold the entirety of God's commandments, highlighting the Law's indivisible nature. This perfect standard exposes the profound truth that "no one living is righteous" before God through human effort (Ps 143:2; Rom 3:20). Humanity's inherent inability to achieve this flawless obedience demonstrates the Law's primary function as a "schoolmaster" or "guardian" (Gal 3:24) leading to Christ. The "Amen" from the people seals their voluntary agreement to a standard they could not perfectly keep, underscoring their accountability and their need for a divine provision. Ultimately, this verse beautifully prefigures the need for Christ, who alone could fulfill "all the words of this law" perfectly on humanity's behalf and subsequently bear the curse of its violation (Gal 3:10, 13), offering righteousness by grace through faith rather than by unattainable works (Eph 2:8-9).