◄ Deuteronomy 27:24 ►
Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.' And let all the people say, 'Amen!'
Study Bible
Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.
This phrase addresses the act of murder, particularly when done in a deceitful or hidden manner. In the context of ancient Israel, the law emphasized community integrity and justice. The act of striking down a neighbor secretly implies premeditation and cowardice, violating the commandment "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). The secrecy suggests a betrayal of trust within the community, highlighting the severity of the sin. Biblically, this curse reflects God's disdain for injustice and the shedding of innocent blood, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:8-10). Theologically, it underscores the sanctity of life and the importance of living in truth and transparency, aligning with Jesus' teaching against harboring anger and hatred (Matthew 5:21-22).

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
The communal response of "Amen" signifies agreement and acceptance of the curse's validity. In ancient Israel, public affirmations were crucial for reinforcing communal values and ensuring collective responsibility. The use of "Amen" here is a solemn acknowledgment of the curse's seriousness and a commitment to uphold justice. This practice of communal affirmation is seen throughout Scripture, such as in Nehemiah 8:6, where the people respond with "Amen" to the reading of the Law. It reflects a covenantal relationship with God, where the community collectively agrees to adhere to His commandments. Theologically, it points to the importance of unity in the body of believers, as echoed in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), and the shared responsibility to uphold God's standards.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who delivered God's laws and instructions, including the blessings and curses in Deuteronomy.

2. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

3. Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim
The locations where the blessings and curses were to be proclaimed to the Israelites.

4. The Levites
The tribe responsible for proclaiming the curses to the people.

5. The Neighbor
Represents fellow members of the community, emphasizing the importance of justice and integrity in relationships.
Teaching Points
The Sanctity of Life
This verse underscores the value God places on human life and the seriousness of taking it unjustly.

Integrity in Relationships
Secret violence against a neighbor violates trust and community integrity, calling believers to uphold honesty and justice.

Community Accountability
The communal response of "Amen" signifies collective responsibility in upholding God's standards and holding each other accountable.

The Heart of the Law
Beyond the physical act, this curse addresses the heart attitude of malice and deceit, urging believers to examine their motives.

God's Justice
The pronouncement of a curse reflects God's commitment to justice and the eventual accountability for hidden sins.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the commandment "You shall not murder" relate to the curse in Deuteronomy 27:24, and what does this reveal about God's view of life?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our relationships with others are marked by integrity and transparency, avoiding "secret" harm?

3. How does the communal "Amen" in response to the curse reflect the role of community in maintaining God's standards?

4. What steps can we take to address and reconcile any hidden malice or anger in our hearts, in light of Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5:21-22?

5. How can we trust in God's justice and resist the temptation to take matters into our own hands, as encouraged in Romans 12:17-19?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:13
The commandment "You shall not murder" connects to the prohibition against secretly striking down a neighbor, highlighting the sanctity of life.

Leviticus 19:16
Warns against slander and standing idly by when a neighbor's life is threatened, reinforcing the call to protect and respect others.

Proverbs 6:16-19
Lists things the Lord hates, including shedding innocent blood, which aligns with the curse against secret violence.

Matthew 5:21-22
Jesus expands on the commandment against murder, addressing anger and reconciliation, which relates to the heart attitude behind secret violence.

Romans 12:17-19
Encourages believers to live peaceably and leave vengeance to God, contrasting with the act of secretly harming a neighbor.
Sermons
Ebal and GerizimJ. Orr Deuteronomy 27:11-26
ResponsesR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 27:11-26
The Decalogue Nationally ReciprocatedD. Davies Deuteronomy 27:11-26
Against Imposing on the IgnorantJ. Jortin, D. D.Deuteronomy 27:15-26
AmenJames Cochrane, M. A.Deuteronomy 27:15-26
The Landmarks of FaithOriginal Secession MagazineDeuteronomy 27:15-26
People
Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Moses, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Jordan River, Mount Ebal, Mount Gerizim
Topics
Amen, Cursed, Kills, Neighbor, Neighbour, Neighbour's, Secret, Secretly, Slays, Smiteth, Smiting, Strikes, Takes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 27:24

     5941   secrecy

Deuteronomy 27:1-26

     7797   teaching

Deuteronomy 27:9-26

     5827   curse

Deuteronomy 27:15-26

     1461   truth, nature of
     5783   agreement

Library
Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

In Judæa and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and Theology - Jews and Samaritans.
We have no means of determining how long Jesus may have tarried in Jerusalem after the events recorded in the previous two chapters. The Evangelic narrative [1850] only marks an indefinite period of time, which, as we judge from internal probability, cannot have been protracted. From the city He retired with His disciples to the country,' which formed the province of Judæa. There He taught and His disciples baptized. [1851] [1852] From what had been so lately witnessed in Jerusalem, as well …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

How Christ is Made Use of for Justification as a Way.
What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood in the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner, undertaking, and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or a sacrifice for sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his life a ransom to satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made known in the gospel, calling sinners to an accepting of him as their only Mediator, and to a resting upon him for …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was.
That which is said by Moses, that "Gerizim and Ebal were over-against Gilgal," Deuteronomy 11:30, is so obscure, that it is rendered into contrary significations by interpreters. Some take it in that sense, as if it were near to Gilgal: some far off from Gilgal: the Targumists read, "before Gilgal": while, as I think, they do not touch the difficulty; which lies not so much in the signification of the word Mul, as in the ambiguity of the word Gilgal. These do all seem to understand that Gilgal which …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ.
O wretched Man! where shall I begin to describe thine endless misery, who art condemned as soon as conceived; and adjudged to eternal death, before thou wast born to a temporal life? A beginning indeed, I find, but no end of thy miseries. For when Adam and Eve, being created after God's own image, and placed in Paradise, that they and their posterity might live in a blessed state of life immortal, having dominion over all earthly creatures, and only restrained from the fruit of one tree, as a sign …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered? …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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