Deuteronomy 27:20
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This verse highlights a specific act of betrayal by calling it "uncovering his father's nakedness." It's not just about the sexual act itself, but the profound violation of family honor and trust, implying a deep, hidden shame brought upon the father by his son's actions.
“‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered his father’s nakedness.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a dramatic ceremony where the Israelites, newly entering the Promised Land, are to declare their allegiance to God's law. After hearing the blessings for obedience, the people are divided, with some tribes proclaiming curses against specific sins, and the entire nation responding "Amen" to each pronouncement. This verse specifically addresses the severe violation of sexual impurity involving a father's wife, a sin so serious it brought shame and disruption to the family unit.
Imagine standing with thousands of people, all responding 'Amen!' to a curse. This wasn't just a private prayer; it was a public, communal acknowledgment of sin's gravity.
In Deuteronomy 27, Moses instructs the Israelites to pronounce curses on those who disobey God's law. This ritual was incredibly powerful.
The phrase 'uncovered his father’s nakedness' is a powerful metaphor. What does it truly mean, and why is it so dishonoring?
The specific sin mentioned – lying with the father's wife – is more than just breaking a sexual purity law. It strikes at the heart of family honor and structure.
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Understand the original words
galah ervah · Hebrew Verb phrase
A euphemistic expression for sexual relations; 'uncovering nakedness' specifically denotes forbidden sexual intimacy.
c. 1446 BC
Israel Receives the Law
At Mount Sinai, God delivers the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Mosaic Law to Moses for the Israelites. This forms the foundational legal and ethical code for the nation.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest and Division of Canaan
Following Joshua's leadership, the Israelites conquer and divide the Promised Land among the twelve tribes. This establishes their national homeland and territorial boundaries.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
The Curses Declared at Shechem
Moses instructs the Israelites, shortly before his death and their entry into the Promised Land, to proclaim curses from Mount Ebal and blessings from Mount Gerizim against those who disobey the Law. This public affirmation of God's judgment is a solemn covenant renewal.
This passage directly parallels the curse by explicitly forbidding sexual relations with a father's wife, laying the groundwork for the specific prohibition in Deuteronomy.
Leviticus 20:11This verse reiterates the severe penalty for such an offense, highlighting the gravity with which the Mosaic Law viewed this specific transgression and its consequences.
Deuteronomy 22:30The phrase 'uncovered his father's nakedness' in the curse is explained here as a euphemism for taking one of his father's wives, showing the intimate familial violation involved.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5This New Testament passage addresses a similar situation of sexual immorality within the community, demonstrating that such violations of purity and family honor were serious concerns for early Christians as well.
calvinDeuteronomy 27:11-26: "And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,"
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.
Maledictus vir ille qui fecerit sculptile, et conflatile, abominationem Jehovae, opus manuum artificis, et posuerit in abscondito: et respondebunt universus populus, ac dicent, Amen.
Cursed be he that…
pooleDeuteronomy 27:20: "Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen."
See Deu 22:30 .
This verse highlights a specific act of betrayal by calling it "uncovering his father's nakedness." It's not just about the sexual act itself, but the profound violation of family honor and trust, implying a deep, hidden shame brought upon the father by his son's actions.
This passage is part of a dramatic ceremony where the Israelites, newly entering the Promised Land, are to declare their allegiance to God's law. After hearing the blessings for obedience, the people are divided, with some tribes proclaiming curses against specific sins, and the entire nation responding "Amen" to each pronouncement. This verse specifically addresses the severe violation of sexual impurity involving a father's wife, a sin so serious it brought shame and disruption to the family unit.
This passage is part of a dramatic ceremony where the Israelites, newly entering the Promised Land, are to declare their allegiance to God's law. After hearing the blessings for obedience, the people are divided, with some tribes proclaiming curses against specific sins, and the entire nation responding "Amen" to each pronouncement. This verse specifically addresses the severe violation of sexual impurity involving a father's wife, a sin so serious it brought shame and disruption to the family unit.
"“‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered his father’s nakedness.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’" — This verse highlights a specific act of betrayal by calling it "uncovering his father's nakedness." It's not just about the sexual act itself, but the profound violation of family honor and trust, im…
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Last reviewed October 2026
