Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” New Living Translation ‘Cursed is anyone who has sexual intercourse with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’ English Standard Version “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Berean Standard Bible ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ King James Bible Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen. New King James Version ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his mother-in-law.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ New American Standard Bible ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ NASB 1995 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ NASB 1977 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Legacy Standard Bible ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Amplified Bible ‘Cursed is he who is intimate with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Christian Standard Bible ‘The one who sleeps with his mother-in-law is cursed.’ And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’ Holman Christian Standard Bible The one who sleeps with his mother-in-law is cursed.’ And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ American Standard Version Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say, Amen. English Revised Version Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Whoever has sexual intercourse with his mother-in-law will be cursed." Then all the people will say amen. Good News Translation "'God's curse on anyone who has intercourse with his mother-in-law.' "And all the people will answer, 'Amen!' International Standard Version "'Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with his mother-in-law. "Then all the people are to respond by saying, 'Amen!' NET Bible Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with his mother-in-law.' Then all the people will say, 'Amen!' New Heart English Bible 'Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.' All the people shall say, 'Amen.' Webster's Bible Translation Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law: and all the people shall say, Amen. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ World English Bible ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Cursed [is] he who is lying with his mother-in-law.” And all the people have said, “Amen.” Young's Literal Translation Cursed is he who is lying with his mother-in-law, -- and all the people have said, Amen. Smith's Literal Translation Cursed he lying with his daughter-in-law: and all the people said Amen. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleCursed be he that lieth with his mother in law: and all the people shall say: Amen. Catholic Public Domain Version Cursed be he who lies with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say: Amen. New American Bible “Cursed be anyone who has relations with his mother-in-law!” And all the people shall answer, “Amen!” New Revised Standard Version “Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.” All the people shall say, “Amen!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleCursed be he who lies with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say, Amen. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Cursed is everyone who will have sex with his mother in law, and all the people shall say, “Amen.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say: Amen. Brenton Septuagint Translation Cursed is he that lies with his daughter-in-law: and all the people shall say, So be it. Cursed is he that lies with his wife's sister: and all the people shall say, So be it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Curses Pronounced from Ebal…22‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 23‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 24‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’… Cross References Leviticus 18:8 You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father. Leviticus 20:11 If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. Genesis 9:22-25 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. / Then Shem and Japheth took a garment and placed it across their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. / When Noah awoke from his drunkenness and learned what his youngest son had done to him, ... Ezekiel 22:10 In you they have uncovered the nakedness of their fathers; in you they violate women during their menstrual impurity. 2 Samuel 16:21-22 Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Romans 1:26-27 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. / Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God; Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Ephesians 5:3-5 But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. / Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. / For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 1 Timothy 1:9-10 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, / for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching Revelation 21:8 But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 22:15 But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Treasury of Scripture Cursed be he that lies with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen. Leviticus 18:17 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness. Leviticus 20:14 And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. Jump to Previous Amen Cursed Lies Lying Mother Mother-In-Law Relations Sex SleepsJump to Next Amen Cursed Lies Lying Mother Mother-In-Law Relations Sex SleepsDeuteronomy 27 1. The people are commanded to write the law upon stones5. and to build an altar of whole stones 11. The tribes to be divided on Gerizim and Ebal 14. The curses to be pronounced on mount Ebal Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law. This phrase is part of a series of curses pronounced by Moses and the Levites on Mount Ebal as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land. The act described here is a violation of the moral and social order established by God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such an act would have been seen as a grave offense, disrupting family structures and dishonoring both the mother-in-law and the family. This curse underscores the importance of maintaining sexual purity and respecting familial boundaries, as outlined in Leviticus 18:8 and 20:11. The severity of the curse reflects the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of family relationships. And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who delivered God's laws and commands, 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 Covenant The agreement between God and the Israelites, which includes adherence to His laws. Teaching Points The Sanctity of Family BoundariesGod's laws protect the integrity and sanctity of family relationships. Violating these boundaries leads to societal and spiritual decay. The Seriousness of Sexual Sin Sexual immorality is not just a personal sin but affects the community and one's relationship with God. It is crucial to uphold purity and holiness. The Role of Community in Upholding God's Standards The communal response of "Amen" signifies collective agreement and responsibility in maintaining God's laws. The community plays a role in accountability. The Importance of Obedience to God's Commands Obedience to God's laws is a sign of faithfulness and commitment to the covenant relationship with Him. Disobedience brings curses, while obedience brings blessings. Repentance and Restoration While the curse highlights the severity of sin, God's grace offers a path to repentance and restoration through Christ. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 27:23?2. How does Deuteronomy 27:23 emphasize the importance of sexual purity in relationships? 3. What cultural practices does Deuteronomy 27:23 warn against, and why are they significant? 4. How can we apply the moral principles of Deuteronomy 27:23 in today's society? 5. What other biblical passages reinforce the teachings found in Deuteronomy 27:23? 6. How does Deuteronomy 27:23 guide us in maintaining family honor and integrity? 7. Why does Deuteronomy 27:23 specifically condemn relations with a mother-in-law? 8. How does Deuteronomy 27:23 reflect the cultural norms of ancient Israel? 9. What is the historical context behind the laws in Deuteronomy 27? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 27? 11. Do the curses in Deuteronomy 27:15-26 conflict with other biblical teachings on punishment and grace, revealing an inconsistency in divine justice? 12. Why does Galatians 3:13 claim the curse is removed by Christ, when Deuteronomy 21:23 still applies the curse to anyone hanged on a tree? 13. How could the entire Law realistically be inscribed on plastered stones as commanded in Deuteronomy 27:2-3? 14. Why does Deuteronomy 27:4 specify Mount Ebal for the altar instead of Mount Gerizim, and is there any historical or textual contradiction behind this location? What Does Deuteronomy 27:23 Mean “Cursed”The declaration comes from the LORD Himself through Moses, setting a solemn, unalterable verdict on the sin in view. Scripture treats curses as the opposite of covenant blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1–2, 15). They remind Israel—and us—that God’s moral standards are fixed, not arbitrary. Whenever the law pronounces a curse, it is: • a public warning (Deuteronomy 27:15 shows a pattern of listing sins and attaching curses) • a call to fear the LORD (Proverbs 1:7) • a statement that God’s justice will not overlook violations (Galatians 3:10 echoes these curses to show our need for redemption) “is he who sleeps” The phrase points to deliberate sexual behavior, not accident or misunderstanding. Scripture consistently links sexual sin with severe consequences because it: • defiles the body, which is meant to honor God (1 Corinthians 6:18–20) • undermines family structures that God designed for blessing (Genesis 2:24) • invites divine judgment when unrepented (Hebrews 13:4) By specifying the act, Moses leaves no room for rationalizing or minimizing the offense. “with his mother-in-law.” This relationship is expressly forbidden in the holiness laws (Leviticus 18:17; 20:14). The sin fractures multiple covenants at once—marriage and family—producing compounded damage: • it violates the wife, the mother-in-law, and God’s created order • it brings disgrace on God’s people (2 Samuel 12:14 shows how sexual sin gives occasion for God’s enemies to blaspheme) • it pictures spiritual infidelity; Israel’s idolatry is often labeled “adultery” (Jeremiah 3:6–9) Because the family is God’s building block for society, corrupting it invites a curse that safeguards the community from spreading impurity. “And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’” The congregation’s response seals collective agreement: • “Amen” means “so be it,” affirming God’s verdict (Nehemiah 8:6). • The public “Amen” forms a covenant witness; everyone acknowledges the standard and the consequences (Joshua 24:22). • It also unites the whole nation in mutual accountability, strengthening communal holiness (Hebrews 10:24–25 encourages believers to stir one another toward righteousness). summary Deuteronomy 27:23 shows that God’s covenant community must treat sexual purity as non-negotiable. The curse warns that intimacy outside God’s design—especially within forbidden family relationships—invites His judgment. By responding “Amen,” God’s people embrace both the standard and the accountability that keep the community holy. Hebrew ‘Cursed isאָר֕וּר (’ā·rūr) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 779: To execrate he who sleeps שֹׁכֵ֖ב (šō·ḵêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7901: To lie down with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with his mother-in-law.’ חֹֽתַנְתּ֑וֹ (ḥō·ṯan·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2859: To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage And {let} all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the people הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock say, וְאָמַ֥ר (wə·’ā·mar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘Amen!’ אָמֵֽן׃ (’ā·mên) Adverb Strong's 543: Sure, faithfulness, truly Links Deuteronomy 27:23 NIVDeuteronomy 27:23 NLT Deuteronomy 27:23 ESV Deuteronomy 27:23 NASB Deuteronomy 27:23 KJV Deuteronomy 27:23 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 27:23 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 27:23 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 27:23 French Bible Deuteronomy 27:23 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 27:23 Cursed be he who lies with his (Deut. 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