Deuteronomy 27:20
18 ‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
19 ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘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!’
21 ‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
22 ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- ‘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!’
- KJV
- Cursed be he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he uncovereth his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- WEB
- ‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ASV
- Cursed be he that lieth with his father`s wife, because he hath uncovered his father`s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- DARBY
- Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; for he uncovereth his father's skirt! And all the people shall say, Amen.
- BLB
- ‘Cursed is he who lies with the wife of his father, because he has uncovered the skirt of his father.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
- ÅB
- Forbannet være den som ligger hos sin fars hustru, for han har vanæret sin fars leie! Og alt folket skal si: Amen.
- OTB
- ‘Forbannet er den som ligger med sin fars kone, for han bringer vanære over sin fars seng.’ Da skal hele folket si: ‘Amen.’
- B1930
- Forbannet være den som ligger hos sin fars hustru, for han har vanæret sin fars leie! Og alt folket skal si: Amen.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
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.
Read in contextLeviticus 18:8
You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.
Read in context1 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.
Read in contextLeviticus 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.
Read in contextEzekiel 22:10
In you they have uncovered the nakedness of their fathers; in you they violate women during their menstrual impurity.
Read in context2 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.
Read in contextGenesis 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.
Read in context1 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.
Read in context