Deuteronomy 27:23 Meaning: Why a Curse on Lying with One's Mother-in-Law
‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
`Cursed is he who is lying with his mother-in-law, --and all the people have said, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law! And all the people shall say, Amen.
Meaning in one sentence
Deuteronomy 27:23 places a curse on incest with a mother-in-law.
Context
This verse comes from a dramatic ceremony Moses commanded. When Israel entered the Promised Land, six tribes would stand on Mount Gerizim to bless, and six on Mount Ebal to curse. The Levites would pronounce twelve specific curses, and all the people would answer "Amen." The list covers sins done in secret, idolatry, disrespect to parents, moving landmarks, leading the blind astray, and sexual violations including incest. These were not new laws but public affirmations of what God had already forbidden in Leviticus. The curse in verse 23 targets a relationship prohibited in Leviticus 18:17 and 20:14. The whole community was called to agree that such acts were wrong, binding themselves to God's standards together.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words carry the weight here. First, arur ("cursed") is a strong participle used in these twelve curses. It means someone is placed under God's active judgment, cut off from the blessings of the covenant. This is not a wish; it is a solemn declaration of consequences. Second, sho khev ("lies with") is the same verb used throughout the Old Testament for sexual relations. It is a physical, intimate act that the law protects by setting clear boundaries. Third, the people respond with amen, a word meaning "truly, so be it." By saying this aloud, every Israelite took personal responsibility. They were not just hearing a curse; they were agreeing with God's judgment and committing to live differently. That shared "Amen" made the whole community a guardian of holiness, not just a passive audience.
How Christians Read This Verse
Reformed commentators like Matthew Henry and Gill saw these curses as warnings against secret sins that corrupt families and society. The Geneva Bible simply notes the prohibition, assuming its application is clear to the reader. The Cambridge Bible, from an Anglican tradition, points out that this list draws from several Old Testament law codes, not just Deuteronomy, suggesting it may have been a liturgical formula used at Shechem's sanctuary. Historic Christian teaching holds that God's moral law, including these family boundaries, reflects His unchanging character. Across traditions, believers agree that the ceremony shows God's seriousness about purity and the community's duty to affirm His standards together.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think this curse is the same as the one against lying with "his father's wife" in verse 20. In fact, the Hebrew word chotanto means "mother-in-law," not one's own mother. The man's wife's mother is a distinct relationship, prohibited in Leviticus 20:14. This specificity shows God's care for every family tie, not just the most obvious ones.
Living This Out
This verse asks you to take family boundaries seriously. You may never face the exact situation described, but the principle remains: God created marriage and family with clear lines. Those lines protect everyone. This week, consider what boundaries you might be tempted to blur, not just sexually, but in any relationship where trust could be broken. The community's "Amen" also calls you to be part of a church that upholds God's standards with both truth and love. Speak up for what is right, and let your own life say a quiet "Amen" to God's design for family.
Main takeaway: God protects the integrity of marriage and family, and He calls His people to publicly affirm His boundaries together.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God wants families to love and respect each other in special ways. This verse says that if someone breaks that trust, it is a very serious thing. The whole community said "Yes, that's right" to show they agreed with God.
For ages 9, 12
In this verse, the people publicly agreed that certain sins are always wrong, even if done in secret. Lying with a mother-in-law was prohibited because it would damage the trust between a husband, wife, and their families. The "Amen" meant everyone took responsibility to follow God's rules for marriage. You can still see God's care today: He gives clear boundaries to protect the people we love.
Questions People Ask
What does 'cursed' mean in Deuteronomy 27:23?
The Hebrew word 'arur' means someone is placed under God's judgment, cut off from covenant blessings. It is a strong declaration of consequences for breaking God's law, not a simple wish for harm.
Why is mother-in-law singled out specifically?
The Hebrew 'chotanto' refers to the wife's mother, a distinct relationship forbidden in Leviticus 20:14. This shows God's concern for every family connection, not just the most obvious ones. The same chapter curses other forbidden relationships like a father's wife or a sister.
What is the purpose of the people saying 'Amen'?
The word 'amen' means 'truly, so be it.' By saying it aloud, the whole community agreed with God's judgment and bound themselves to obey His law. It turned a public reading into a personal commitment.
Is this law still relevant for Christians today?
Christians see these curses as part of the Old Testament law given to Israel. While the ceremonial context has passed, the moral principle, that sexual intimacy belongs within God's design for marriage and close family boundaries, remains. Christians are called to honor marriage and protect family relationships.
How does this verse relate to the other curses in Deuteronomy 27?
This is the eighth of twelve curses pronounced from Mount Ebal. The list includes sins done in secret: idolatry, dishonoring parents, harming the vulnerable, and sexual violations. Together they show God cares about hidden as well as public sins, and the whole community is responsible to uphold His standards.
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