Deuteronomy 27:25

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 27:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Cursed be he that taketh a bribe to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Cursed be he that taketh a bribe to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25Cursed be he that taketh a bribe to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Cursed [be] he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person, etc.] As an assassin, to murder him privately; or as a judge, that takes a bribe to condemn to death an innocent person: so Aben Ezra observes, that according to the sense of some a judge is meant; but, says he, in my opinion a false witness; one that swears a man’s life away for the sake of a reward given him: and all the people shall say Amen; at so detestable a crime.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Compare Joshua 8:32-35. The solemnity was apparently designed only for the single occasion on which it actually took place. Deuteronomy 27:12, Deuteronomy 27:13 The tribes appointed to stand on Gerizim to bless the people all sprang from the two wives of Jacob, Leah and Rachel. All the four tribes which sprang from the handmaids Zilpah and Bilhah are located on Ebal. But in order, as it would seem, to effect an equal division, two tribes are added to the latter from the descendants of the wives, that of Reuben, probably because he forfeited his primogeniture Genesis 49:4; and of Zebulun, apparently because he was the youngest son of Leah. The transaction presents itself as a solemn renewal…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Deu 10:17, Deu 16:19; Exo 23:7, Exo 23:8; Psa 15:5; Prov. 1:11-29; Eze 22:12, Eze 22:13; Mic 3:10, Mic 3:11, Mic 7:2, Mic 7:3; Mat 26:15, Mat 27:3, Mat 27:4; Act 1:18 Deuteronomy 27:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification