Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.' And let all the people say, 'Amen!' Cursed is heThe word "cursed" in Hebrew is "אָרוּר" (arur), which signifies being under a divine curse or ban. In the context of Deuteronomy, it reflects the seriousness of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The use of "cursed" here underscores the gravity of the offense and the divine disapproval that accompanies such actions. It serves as a solemn warning to the Israelites about the consequences of violating God's commandments and the moral order He has established. who leads a blind man astray
The phrase "leads a blind man astray" is rich in both literal and metaphorical meaning. Literally, it refers to the act of misleading someone who is physically blind, taking advantage of their vulnerability. In ancient Israel, the blind were among the most vulnerable members of society, and God's law consistently emphasizes the protection of the weak and defenseless. Metaphorically, this phrase can also be understood as leading someone who is spiritually or morally blind into error or sin. It highlights the responsibility of those who have knowledge or sight to guide others rightly, rather than exploiting their lack of understanding. on the road
The "road" or "way" in Hebrew is "דֶּרֶךְ" (derekh), which can refer to a physical path or journey, but also symbolizes one's life path or moral conduct. In the biblical context, the "road" often represents the journey of life and the choices one makes. Leading someone astray on the road implies not just a momentary misdirection, but potentially altering the course of their life. This phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and righteousness in our interactions with others, ensuring that we are guiding them towards truth and not deception. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who delivered God's laws and instructions, including the blessings and curses in Deuteronomy. 2. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 3. Mount Ebal and Mount GerizimThe locations where the blessings and curses were to be proclaimed to the Israelites. 4. The LevitesThe tribe responsible for proclaiming the curses to the people. 5. The Blind ManRepresents those who are vulnerable and in need of guidance, both physically and spiritually. Teaching Points Respect for the VulnerableThis verse underscores the importance of treating those who are vulnerable, such as the blind, with respect and care. It calls for a community that protects and supports its weakest members. Integrity in GuidanceLeading someone astray, especially the vulnerable, is a serious offense. This principle applies to spiritual, moral, and practical guidance, urging believers to act with integrity. Community ResponsibilityThe communal response of "Amen" signifies collective responsibility. The community is accountable for ensuring justice and righteousness in its treatment of all members. Fear of the LordThe curse serves as a reminder of the fear of the Lord, which should guide our actions and interactions with others, especially those who cannot defend themselves. Spiritual BlindnessBeyond physical blindness, this verse can be applied to spiritual blindness, urging believers to guide others towards truth and light rather than deception. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the command in Deuteronomy 27:18 reflect God's character and His concern for justice and righteousness? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of not leading others astray in our daily interactions, both within and outside the church community? 3. How does the communal "Amen" in response to the curse highlight the role of community in upholding God's standards? 4. What are some modern examples of leading the "blind" astray, and how can we actively work against these in our society? 5. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament reinforce the principles found in Deuteronomy 27:18, and how can we live these out in our lives today? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 19:14This verse also addresses the treatment of the disabled, emphasizing the importance of fearing God and treating others with respect and dignity. Proverbs 28:10Discusses the consequences of leading the righteous astray, highlighting the broader principle of integrity and guidance. Matthew 18:6Jesus warns against causing others to stumble, especially those who are vulnerable, reinforcing the principle found in Deuteronomy 27:18. Isaiah 42:16God promises to lead the blind in ways they have not known, contrasting divine guidance with human deception. Romans 14:13Paul advises believers not to put stumbling blocks in each other's way, echoing the sentiment of not leading others astray. People Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Moses, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, ZebulunPlaces Beth-baal-peor, Jordan River, Mount Ebal, Mount GerizimTopics Amen, Astray, Blind, Causing, Cursed, Err, Leads, Makes, Maketh, Misleads, Road, WanderDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 27:18 5134 blindness, natural
5296 disabilities
5505 roads 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 CommandmentsIn 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 Links Deuteronomy 27:18 NIVDeuteronomy 27:18 NLTDeuteronomy 27:18 ESVDeuteronomy 27:18 NASBDeuteronomy 27:18 KJV
Deuteronomy 27:18 Commentaries
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