Deuteronomy 27:15'Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination to Yahweh, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.' All the people shall answer and say, 'Amen.'
The setting
Plains of Moab, ~1406 BC. The first of twelve curses thunders across the valley near modern Nablus, targeting secret idolatry — the root of all covenant breaking...
The emotion here: knowing this curse will expose the very secrets he himself might be tempted to hide
The original word
seter (סֵתֶר) — hidden place, secret chamber, concealment from both God and community
Why it matters
Archaeological digs in Israel regularly uncover household gods hidden in walls and under floors
Read with care
What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 27:15
This curse targets SECRET sin — God's judgment reaches where human law cannot
Common misconceptionPeople think idolatry is just golden statues, but Moses starts with SECRET images because he knew private compromise leads to public apostasy. It's about divided loyalty, not carved wood.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Deuteronomy 27:15
Bible Genome reading
Deuteronomy 27:15 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Deuteronomy 27:15 comes from the book of Deuteronomy, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Levites. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is prophetic. It belongs to the prophecy genre of biblical literature. Key themes include idolatry, judgment. Notable phrases: Cursed is the man; engraved or molten image; abomination to Yahweh. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Deuteronomy 27:15 mean to you, today?
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