Deuteronomy 27:26
“‘Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse doesn't just declare a curse for breaking the law; it states that the curse falls on anyone who doesn't "confirm" or establish all its words by doing them. This subtle wording highlights that obedience isn't just about avoiding sin, but about actively upholding and validating God's entire Word through action.
As Moses concludes a series of curses against those who disobey specific commandments, he delivers a final, sweeping condemnation against anyone who fails to uphold the entire Law of God. The entire assembly of Israel is then called to affirm each curse with a resounding "Amen," signifying their agreement that such disobedience warrants God's judgment. This dramatic pronouncement serves as a stark reminder that God's covenant demands total obedience, not just selective adherence.
This verse ends a dramatic reading of curses for disobedience. But what does it mean to 'confirm' all the words of the law?
The final curse in Deuteronomy 27 is a sweeping statement that encompasses all of God's commands. It isn't just about avoiding major sins; it's about actively doing all that God requires.
The Scope of Obedience
The people are called to respond 'Amen' to each curse. What does this powerful 'Amen' truly signify in this context?
The communal 'Amen' is more than just an agreement; it's a profound confession of sin and an acknowledgment of God's righteous judgment.
The People's 'Amen'
Understand the original words
arur · Hebrew Adjective
To be under the formal judgment or sentence of God, resulting in separation from His blessing and covenant favor due to disobedience or failure to uphold His requirements.
qim · Hebrew Verb
To uphold, establish, or make valid; in a covenantal context, it signifies a binding commitment to acknowledge and actively carry out the requirements set forth by a superior party.
torah · Hebrew Noun
The divine instruction, teaching, or moral requirements given by God to His people to regulate their life and relationship with Him; often refers to the Torah given at Sinai.
amen · Hebrew Interjection
An expression of solemn affirmation, agreement, and commitment, meaning "truly," "so be it," or "let it be so," indicating one's acceptance of God's word as binding and true.
This powerful declaration at Mount Ebal isn't just about reciting rules; it's about the Israelites publicly binding themselves to God's entire covenant. The repeated 'Amen' underscores their acceptance of both the blessings for obedience and the severe curses for disobedience, setting the stage for their entire history as a nation.
~1400 BC
Israel enters the Promised Land
After wandering in the desert for 40 years, Joshua leads the Israelites into Canaan, the land promised to Abraham. This marks the beginning of their inheritance and their responsibility to live according to God's law.
c. 1300 BC— this verse
Joshua commissions the Law on Mount Ebal
As commanded by Moses, Joshua leads the people in a solemn ceremony on Mount Ebal. Curses are proclaimed against disobedience, with the people responding 'Amen,' affirming their acceptance of the consequences.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy established under Saul, David, and Solomon
Israel unites under a single king, leading to a period of relative peace and expansion. However, seeds of future division are sown through Solomon's later idolatry.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom divides into Israel and Judah
Following Solomon's death, the northern kingdom of Israel (10 tribes) and the southern kingdom of Judah (2 tribes) split, leading to prolonged periods of unfaithfulness to God's covenant.
This passage directly quotes and applies the principle of Deuteronomy 27:26, highlighting that anyone who relies on the works of the law is under its curse because no one can perfectly keep it all.
James 2:10This verse reinforces the severity of the curse by explaining that if you fail in even one point of the law, you are guilty of breaking all of it, echoing the comprehensive nature of the condemnation in Deuteronomy.
Romans 8:3This passage explains that God, by sending His Son in human likeness to deal with sin, condemned sin in the flesh, which addresses the impossibility of human obedience and the curse that falls on disobedience.
Matthew 5:17-19Jesus states He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, showing His perfect obedience to the Law and His work to satisfy its demands, thereby delivering believers from the curse of its non-fulfillment.
Joshua 8:33-35This passage describes the Israelites physically carrying out Moses' command to read the blessings and curses from Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, showing the solemn ratification of this covenant by the entire nation.
cambridgeDeuteronomy 27:26: "Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen."
26 . confirmeth ] Lit. establisheth , 2 Kings 23:3 ; 2 Kings 23:24 of Josiah and the Book of the Law, Heb. Tôrah , as in Deuteronomy 1:5 , Deuteronomy 31:9 , which see.
clarkeDeuteronomy 27:26: "Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen."
That confirmeth not all the words of this law - The word כל col, All, is not found in any printed copy of the Hebrew text; but the Samaritan preserves it, and so do six MSS. in the collections of Kennicott and De Rossi, besides several copies of the Chaldee Targum. The Septuagint also, and St. Paul in his quotation of this place, Galatians 3:10 . St. Jerome says that…
This verse doesn't just declare a curse for breaking the law; it states that the curse falls on anyone who doesn't "confirm" or establish all its words by doing them. This subtle wording highlights that obedience isn't just about avoiding sin, but about actively upholding and validating God's entire Word through action.
As Moses concludes a series of curses against those who disobey specific commandments, he delivers a final, sweeping condemnation against anyone who fails to uphold the entire Law of God. The entire assembly of Israel is then called to affirm each curse with a resounding "Amen," signifying their agreement that such disobedience warrants God's judgment. This dramatic pronouncement serves as a stark reminder that God's covenant demands total obedience, not just selective adherence.
As Moses concludes a series of curses against those who disobey specific commandments, he delivers a final, sweeping condemnation against anyone who fails to uphold the entire Law of God. The entire assembly of Israel is then called to affirm each curse with a resounding "Amen," signifying their agreement that such disobedience warrants God's judgment. This dramatic pronouncement serves as a stark reminder that God's covenant demands total obedience, not just selective adherence.
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722 BC
Assyrian conquest of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and effectively ending its existence as a distinct entity.
586 BC
Babylonian conquest of Judah
The Babylonian Empire conquers Jerusalem and destroys the Temple, exiling many of the people of Judah. This marks a severe consequence for generations of disobedience.
"“‘Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’" — This verse doesn't just declare a curse for breaking the law; it states that the curse falls on anyone who doesn't "confirm" or establish all its words by doing them. This subtle wording highlights…
