Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 27:20
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses pronounces this curse within a structured list of covenant stipulations, with the assembled people responding “Amen” to each declaration. The verse functions as a formal warning to Israel regarding sexual boundaries within the community.
The words — The Hebrew אָרוּר (‘a.Rur) declares the offender “cursed,” while גִלָּה (gi.Lah) literally means “he has uncovered,” indicating a breach of the father’s sexual boundary. שֹׁכֵב (sho.Khev) identifies the perpetrator as “one who lies,” specifying the prohibited act.
The thread — This prohibition runs through Deuteronomy 22:30, Leviticus 18:8, and Leviticus 20:11, consistently framing the act as a violation that dishonors the father and triggers severe divine judgment.
Why it lands — The text states that sleeping with a father’s wife violates his marriage bed and brings a covenant curse upon the perpetrator. It demands clear recognition of familial sexual boundaries and the serious consequences of breaching them.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Cursed be he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he uncovereth his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 22:30 A man is not to marry his father’s wife, so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed.
- Leviticus 18:8 You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.
- Leviticus 20:11 If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
- 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.
- Genesis 35:22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:
- Genesis 49:4 Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.
- 2 Samuel 16:22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 5:1 These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.
- Ezekiel 22:10 In you they have uncovered the nakedness of their fathers; in you they violate women during their menstrual impurity.
- Amos 2:7 They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the earth; they push the needy out of their way. A man and his father have relations with the same girl and so profane My holy name.