Keraia
Deuteronomy 27

Deuteronomy 27:15

Curses Pronounced from Ebal · Deuteronomy 27:11–26
Read Deuteronomy 27

Translations

Modern
‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Traditional
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.
Literal
‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved or molten image, an abomination to YHWH, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’
Latin
Maledictus homo qui facit sculptile et conflatile, abominationem Domini, opus manuum artificum, ponetque illud in abscondito: et respondebit omnis populus, et dicet: Amen.

Original

Hebrew
English
‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

Notes

Deuteronomy 27:15

a carved idol or molten image: To carve or cast an idol means to make a carved image or a metal image for worship.

This act directly violates the second commandment (see 5:7–10). It goes against the covenant ideal, which calls Israel to worship the Lord alone.

Deuteronomy 27:12–26

  • Mount Gerizim is just west of Mount Ebal. Shechem is in the valley between them.

  • to bless: God positioned the tribes or their representatives carefully. This was so that while the Levites read the covenant from the valley below, the other tribes would respond by shouting "Amen!" This is a Hebrew term that means "May it be so." They said this to show their agreement with the terms of the covenant.

Glossary

Amen Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Curse, Cursed Deuteronomy, Book of Hosea, Book of Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Mount Ebal Mount Gerizim

Topics

Abomination to God: Idolatry Amen: A Word Used to Reenforce a Statement Curse: Curses of the Mosaic Law Idolatry: Curse Denounced Against Idolatry: Denunciations Against Idolatry: Objects of Described as Molten Images Instruction in Religion Law: Curses of, Responsively Read by Levites and People at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim Responsive Religious Service: General Scriptures Concerning Reward: A Motive to Faithfulness Word of God: The People Stood and Responded by Saying |Amen| Worship: The Word of God Read in Public Assemblies