Deuteronomy 27:24

24 “Cursed is anyone who kills their neighbor secretly.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

Deuteronomy 27:24 in Other Translations

24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.

24 "'Cursed be anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'

24 ‘Cursed is anyone who attacks a neighbor in secret.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

24 God's curse on anyone who kills his neighbor in secret. All respond: Yes. Absolutely.

24 'Cursed is the one who kills his neighbor in secret.' And all the people will say, 'Amen!'

Deuteronomy 27:24 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:24

Cursed [be] he that smiteth his neighbour secretly
And kills him, and the murder is not known; the curse of God follows such, and overtakes them sooner or later. Some interpret this of smiting with the tongue, of secret backbiting and slander; so the Targum of Jonathan,

``that smiteth with the third tongue;''

or false accusation: and all the people shall say Amen;
as disapproving of and condemning such a practice, even slander, and especially murder.

Deuteronomy 27:24 In-Context

22 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

23 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

24 “Cursed is anyone who kills their neighbor secretly.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

25 “Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

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

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 4:23; Leviticus 24:17; Numbers 35:31
• 2. Exodus 21:12