Deuteronomy 27:16'Cursed is he who sets light by his father or his mother.' All the people shall say, 'Amen.'
The setting
Mount Ebal, Jordan Valley. 40 years after Egypt. Moses' final speech to 2 million Israelites about to enter Canaan. Half the tribes stand on this barren mountain to declare curses for covenant breaking...
The emotion here: urgency mixed with grief - knowing these people will break covenant
The original word
qalal (קלל) — to make light of, despise, treat as worthless
Why it matters
This ceremony required the tribes to physically split - six on Mount Gerizim for blessings, six on Mount Ebal for curses
Read with care
What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 27:16
The people had to shout 'Amen' to their own potential cursing - agreeing to consequences
Common misconceptionPeople think this only applies to minor children obeying parents, but the Hebrew shows adult children treating elderly parents as burdens or worthless
The thread continues
Verses that echo Deuteronomy 27:16
Bible Genome reading
Deuteronomy 27:16 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Deuteronomy 27:16 comes from the book of Deuteronomy, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Moses. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include honor parents, curses, covenant. Notable phrases: Cursed is he who sets light by his father or his mother. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Deuteronomy 27:16 mean to you, today?
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