Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 27:26
‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the assembled Israelites at Shechem, directing them to pronounce a covenant curse after the stones are erected. The people respond collectively to ratify the declaration.
The words — The Hebrew אָרוּר ('a.Rur) literally means "is cursed," and יָקִים (ya.Kim) translates as "he will carry out" or "establish." These terms frame the conditional pronouncement against neglecting the law.
The thread — This declaration echoes in Galatians 3:10, which applies the same curse to all who rely on works of the law, and anticipates Deuteronomy 28:15, which expands the curse to general disobedience.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate compliance with every written command rather than selective adherence. It requires the reader to acknowledge that failure to act on the law triggers a binding covenant curse.
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 confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cross-references
- Galatians 3:10 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
- Deuteronomy 28:15 If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
- Romans 10:5 For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.”
- Psalms 119:21 You rebuke the arrogant—the cursed who stray from Your commandments.
- Ezekiel 18:24 But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.
- Deuteronomy 27:15 ‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
- Jeremiah 11:3 You must tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,
- Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
- Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
- 1 Corinthians 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord!