Deuteronomy 27:25'Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.' All the people shall say, 'Amen.'
The setting
Mount Ebal, Jordan Valley. ~1400 BC. Israelites stand between two mountains as curses echo across the valley. Modern-day West Bank, Palestine.
The emotion here: solemn authority delivering life-and-death pronouncements
The original word
shochad (שֹׁחַד) — a bribe that corrupts justice, literally 'gift that blinds'
Why it matters
This ceremony required half a million people to respond 'Amen' in unison
Read with care
What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 27:25
The people had to say 'Amen' to their own potential destruction
Common misconceptionPeople think this only applies to judges and officials, but it includes anyone who takes payment to harm innocent people - even through silence.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Deuteronomy 27:25
Bible Genome reading
Deuteronomy 27:25 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Deuteronomy 27:25 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 corruption, murder, justice, curses. Notable phrases: takes a bribe to kill an innocent person. 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 27:25 mean to you, today?
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