Breakdown of Deuteronomy 27:20-23

"“‘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.’ “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with any kind of animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ “‘Curse…" — The verse highlights the profound violation of family honor by using the phrase "uncovered his father's nakedness." This isn't just about sexual sin; it's about stripping away the sacred boundary bet…

Deuteronomy 27:20-23 Meaning Explained

All verses

Deuteronomy 27:20-23

“‘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.’ “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with any kind of animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

English Standard Version (ESV)

The verse highlights the profound violation of family honor by using the phrase "uncovered his father's nakedness." This isn't just about sexual sin; it's about stripping away the sacred boundary between father and son, exposing a deeply intimate and protected space within the family unit.

What Deuteronomy 27:20-23 means

This passage is part of a solemn ceremony where the Israelites, upon entering the Promised Land, are divided on Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim to pronounce curses. Following Moses' instructions, specific sins are called out one by one, and the people respond "Amen" to each, affirming God's judgment against such offenses. This verse specifically addresses the transgression of sleeping with a father's wife, emphasizing the severe impurity it represents.

Echoing Curses, Shared Responsibility

Imagine standing before thousands, and a curse is read aloud. What does it mean when everyone answers, 'Amen'?

In Deuteronomy 27, this wasn't just a ceremony; it was a solemn covenant renewal. Moses had the people stand on two mountains, with six tribes on Mount Gerizim for blessings and six on Mount Ebal for curses. When each curse was read, the entire assembly was to respond with 'Amen.'

A Unified 'Amen'

This 'Amen' wasn't a passive agreement. It was an active declaration of the people's understanding and acceptance of God's judgment. It meant:

Acknowledging Truth: They affirmed that the curses were just and that God's wrath was real against sin.
Taking Ownership: By agreeing to the curses, they confessed that they, too, were susceptible to falling into such sins and deserved the same condemnation without God's mercy.
Covenant Faithfulness: It was a public vow to uphold the Law, understanding the severe consequences of disobedience.

This shared responsibility underscored the seriousness of the covenant they were entering into.

Uncovering 'His Father's Nakedness'

The verse speaks of 'uncovering his father's nakedness.' What does this deeply symbolic phrase actually mean?

The phrase 'uncovered his father’s nakedness' is a powerful euphemism, particularly in the context of Levitical law. It refers to engaging in sexual relations with a close relative who is off-limits.

Beyond the Physical Act

In this specific case, lying with the 'father's wife' (meaning the father's concubine or wife, not the mother) was a grave offense because it was a direct violation of familial honor and order.

Invasion of Purity: It represented a defilement of the father's household and a severe breach of intimacy and trust within the family structure.

Understand the original words

Original language

uncovered his father’s nakednessגָּלָה עֶרְוָה

galah ervah · Hebrew Verb phrase

A euphemistic expression for sexual relations; 'uncovering nakedness' specifically denotes forbidden sexual intimacy.

Cursedאָרוּר

'arur · Hebrew Adjective

To be under God's judgment or condemnation; it signifies a state of separation from the favor and covenant blessing of God due to violation of His law.

Amenאָמֵן

'amen · Hebrew Adverb/Interjection

A Hebrew word of affirmation used in worship and legal contexts to mean 'truly,' 'so let it be,' or 'I agree.' It signifies the person's full participation in and agreement with the preceding statement or declaration.

lies withשָׁכַב

shakhav · Hebrew Verb

In a legal or moral context, this refers to sexual intercourse or illicit sexual relations, often used to describe violations of God's prescribed boundaries for human sexuality.

Historical context

Written: Likely around 1406 BC, during the Israelite wanderings in the wilderness.
Author: Traditionally Moses, though modern scholarship suggests composite authorship with later editors.
Location: Written from the plains of Moab, shortly before entering the Promised Land.
Genre: Law and narrative, featuring a solemn covenant ratification ceremony with pronouncements of curses.

Historical background

The curses in Deuteronomy 27, including the one against incestuous relations, were spoken as Israel stood on the brink of inheriting the Promised Land. This wasn't just abstract law; it was a solemn charge to maintain holiness and covenant faithfulness as they entered their new home, with the people's 'Amen' signifying their public commitment to uphold God's standards.

~1446 BC
Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings
Israel departs Egypt under Moses, receiving the Law at Mount Sinai. This period establishes the foundational legal and covenantal framework for the nation.
~1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, Israel enters and begins to conquer the Promised Land, establishing their inheritance.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Moses' Final Instructions
Moses delivers his final speeches to the Israelites before they enter Canaan, reiterating the Law and its consequences, including the curses in Deuteronomy 27.
c. 1390 BC
Death of Joshua
The generation that entered Canaan passes away, marking the end of a unified leadership and the beginning of the period of the Judges.

Key themes

01Protecting family honor
02Consequences of forbidden acts
03Communal assent to law
04Divine judgment on sin

Cross-references

Leviticus 18:8

This passage explicitly forbids sexual relations with a father's wife, laying the groundwork for the curse pronounced in Deuteronomy.

Leviticus 20:11

This verse reiterates the severe penalty for lying with a father's wife, showing the consistent condemnation of this act across the Law.

Deuteronomy 22:30

This verse is directly alluded to by the phrase 'uncovered his father's nakedness,' explaining the specific violation of family honor involved.

Galatians 3:10

Paul quotes this principle of the law to show that anyone who fails to obey all its commands is cursed, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the curses pronounced at Mount Ebal.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5

This New Testament passage addresses a similar situation of sexual immorality within the community, showing the ongoing concern for purity and the serious consequences of such sin.

Scholarly commentary

Deuteronomy 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…

calvin

Deuteronomy 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 .
poole

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What Deuteronomy 27:20-23 means

Original language

uncovered his father’s nakednessגָּלָה עֶרְוָה

galah ervah · Hebrew Verb phrase

A euphemistic expression for sexual relations; 'uncovering nakedness' specifically denotes forbidden sexual intimacy.

Cursedאָרוּר

'arur · Hebrew Adjective

To be under God's judgment or condemnation; it signifies a state of separation from the favor and covenant blessing of God due to violation of His law.

Amenאָמֵן

'amen · Hebrew Adverb/Interjection

lies withשָׁכַב

shakhav · Hebrew Verb

In a legal or moral context, this refers to sexual intercourse or illicit sexual relations, often used to describe violations of God's prescribed boundaries for human sexuality.

Historical context

Written: Likely around 1406 BC, during the Israelite wanderings in the wilderness.
Author: Traditionally Moses, though modern scholarship suggests composite authorship with later editors.
Location: Written from the plains of Moab, shortly before entering the Promised Land.
Genre: Law and narrative, featuring a solemn covenant ratification ceremony with pronouncements of curses.

Historical background

~1446 BC

Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings

Israel departs Egypt under Moses, receiving the Law at Mount Sinai. This period establishes the foundational legal and covenantal framework for the nation.

~1406 BC

Conquest of Canaan Begins

Under Joshua's leadership, Israel enters and begins to conquer the Promised Land, establishing their inheritance.

c. 1400 BC— this verse

Moses' Final Instructions

Moses delivers his final speeches to the Israelites before they enter Canaan, reiterating the Law and its consequences, including the curses in Deuteronomy 27.

c. 1390 BC

Death of Joshua

The generation that entered Canaan passes away, marking the end of a unified leadership and the beginning of the period of the Judges.