Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image an abomination unto the Lord the work of the hands of the craftsman and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say Amen.Deuteronomy 27:15 Explainer ## Introduction - In Plain Language: This verse pronounces a curse on anyone who makes an idol—whether carved or cast—and hides it away for worship; the people respond together, “Amen.” - Big idea: Idolatry—especially secret or deceptive idol-worship—is a serious breach of Israel’s covenant with God and is publicly condemned. - Key points: - The verse singles out human-made idols (carved or molten) as detestable to God. - The phrase “puts it in a secret place” highlights deceit and private worship rather than honest devotion. - The communal “Amen” shows the whole community agrees to the covenant consequences. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Deuteronomy 27 is part of Moses’ final covenant instructions to Israel before they enter the Promised Land. Chapter 27 sets up a dramatic ritual on Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim where blessings and curses are publicly proclaimed; verse 15 begins a list of specific covenant curses. - Story timeline: Moses speaks to the assembled people of Israel on the plains of Moab, shortly before the conquest of Canaan (the traditional setting for Deuteronomy). The audience is the whole nation — families, elders, priests, and leaders — preparing to live under the covenant in the land. - Surrounding passage: Immediately before (Deut. 27:1–14) Moses instructs the people to set up stones, write the law on them, build an altar, and pronounce blessings and curses. Verse 15 launches the series of curses for covenant violations. Verses after 15 continue listing behaviors that bring curse (e.g., perverting justice, sexual misconduct, misleading the blind), spelling out the ethical and religious expectations of covenant life. ## Explanation - Quick take: Deuteronomy 27:15 makes clear that making and hiding an idol is a covenant offense. It condemns not only public idolatry but also private, secret idol worship and the deception behind it. The communal “Amen” shows the people accept the seriousness and consequences. - In Depth: - Idols as human handiwork: The verse stresses that these idols are “the work of the hands of the craftsman.” That underscores their created, powerless status—contrasting the living, sovereign God of Israel with something made by people. - Carved and molten: The language covers both carved images and metal-cast figures—almost every technology used to make idols—so the ban is comprehensive. It targets the practice rather than a specific artistic form. - Secret placement and hypocrisy: The added phrase about placing the idol “in a secret place” is an important wrinkle: it condemns concealment and clandestine worship. Secret idols suggest hypocrisy—public professions of loyalty to Yahweh while privately making room for other gods. - Communal covenant enforcement: The people responding “Amen” signals communal agreement that breaking this command has consequences under the covenant. The curses are not just theoretical; the community recognizes their seriousness and endorses them. - Broader scriptural pattern: Deuteronomy emphasizes exclusive loyalty to God; so prohibitions against idols recur throughout the Torah and later prophets. This verse functions as a covenant boundary marker—what will not be tolerated in the community’s life. ## Key Words - pesel (פסֶל) — “graven” or carved image; a sculpted idol. - massekah (מַסֵּכָה) — molten or cast image; an idol made by melting and casting metal. - to’eivah (תּוֹעֵבָה) — “abomination”; something detestable in covenant terms. - Amen (אָמֵן) — “so be it”; an affirmation by the community agreeing to the declaration. ## Background - Cultural/historical note: In the ancient Near East, many peoples made idols and household cult objects (sometimes called household gods or teraphim). For Israel, refusing idols was central to distinguishing their worship of Yahweh from surrounding religions. Secret idols were common in domestic or syncretistic practices—where people mixed loyalties—and Deuteronomy’s laws are intended to eliminate such syncretism. - Literary background: Deuteronomy 27–28 functions as a covenantal ritual: public reading, public agreement, and a public list of blessings and curses that function like ancient treaty terms. Placing the curse against idolatry first shows how foundational exclusive worship is to Israel’s identity. ## Theology - Theological insights in plain language: - God demands exclusive loyalty; anything that takes God’s place is a serious offense. - Idolatry is not just wrong theology; it damages community life because it involves deception and misdirected trust. - Publicly owning the covenant means a community must hold one another accountable—hence the communal “Amen.” ## Application To Your Life - For workers: Evaluate what anchors your daily decisions—income, reputation, achievement—and don’t let those become hidden “gods” that steer your actions. - For parents: Watch for secret behaviors (online habits, private attitudes) and teach children that faithfulness to God includes integrity in public and private life. - For leaders/pastors: Encourage transparency in spiritual practices; confront syncretism gently but clearly when spiritual commitments are compromised. - For seekers: Idolatry can take modern forms: money, status, relationships, entertainment. Consider whether anything is occupying the loyalty that belongs to God. - Reflection question(s): - What “secret” thing or habit might be holding my loyalty more than God? - Where do I act differently in private than I do in public concerning faith or values? - Short prayer: Lord, reveal any hidden loyalties in my life and give me the courage to turn fully to You. Help me live honestly before You and others. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.” - ESV: “‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” - NIV: “Cursed is anyone who makes an idol—a thing detestable to the LORD, the work of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.” And all the people shall say, “Amen!” - NRSV: “Cursed is anyone who makes a carved or cast idol, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the craftsman’s hands, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” - Note on why differences matter: Translators vary on wording like “graven/carved” vs “molten/cast” and how strongly to render to’eivah (abomination/detestable). Some versions tighten the language to modern readers (“sets it up in secret”), while others preserve older phrasing (“putteth it in a secret place”). These choices affect tone and clarity: literal renderings highlight the law’s original language and craft terms, while dynamic translations emphasize meaning for contemporary readers (for example, stressing secrecy or the detestability of idols). The core idea—condemnation of manufactured idols and secret worship—remains consistent across major translations. ## FAQs - Q: Does this verse mean all religious images are forbidden, including art or pictures in churches? A: The verse targets images made and worshiped as gods—objects intended as deities or as replacements for God. The biblical concern is idolatry (giving ultimate loyalty to the image). Historical and contemporary Christian traditions differ about images used for teaching or devotion; many argue that images are permissible if they serve as reminders pointing to God rather than objects of worship. The key question is function and orientation: is the image an idol that receives worship, or a tool that helps people focus on God? Deuteronomy 27:15 speaks against the former—especially when worshiped secretly. - Q: Why does the verse single out placing an idol “in a secret place”? What’s so wrong with private worship? A: The “secret place” detail points to deception and syncretism. In Israel’s covenant context, worship was meant to be public, covenantal, and loyal to Yahweh alone. Secret idols imply double loyalty: publicly pledging faith to Yahweh while privately honoring other powers. Deuteronomy emphasizes corporate fidelity because the nation’s identity and well-being depended on exclusive allegiance. Secret worship can also foster private practices that undercut communal standards and spread corruption; the verse signals that such hidden ways are especially treacherous and worthy of covenantal disapproval. ## Cross References - Exodus 20:4–5 — The second commandment forbids making and worshiping images; direct legal parallel. - Deuteronomy 4:15–19 — Earlier Deuteronomy passage warning against making any carved image of God. - Isaiah 44:9–20 — A prophetic mockery of idols, showing their absurdity and human-made origin. - Jeremiah 10:3–5 — Idols described as useless and made by human hands. - Psalm 115:4–8 — Contrasts powerless idols with the living God. ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Most commentators see verse 15 as the opening of a series of covenant curses that enforce Israel’s exclusive worship of Yahweh and social righteousness. Scholars note the rhetorical force of putting idolatry first: the whole covenant hinges on exclusive loyalty. The “secret” element invites discussion about household idols and syncretism—archaeology and biblical narratives (e.g., Judges 17–18) show how household cult objects persisted in Israelite life, which Deuteronomy seeks to suppress. - Group study bullets: - Read the list of curses in Deut. 27–28. Why do you think idolatry appears first? - Discuss modern “idols”: what private habits or attachments become competitors with God? - Role-play: someone trying to hide a “modern idol” (addiction, career, money). How would a faith community lovingly confront it? - Memory and meditation: read Exodus 20:4–6 and Deut. 27:15 aloud; reflect on the difference between public profession and private practice. ## Related verses (to compare and contrast — and why) - Exodus 20:4–6 — Why: The second commandment provides the core law behind Deut. 27:15’s curse; it frames why idols are forbidden. - Judges 17–18 — Why: These chapters tell a story of private, household cult objects and syncretism—an example of the sort of secret or local idolatry Deuteronomy condemns. - Isaiah 44:9–20 — Why: Isaiah ridicules idols as human-made and powerless; it echoes Deuteronomy’s point that idols are the craft of human hands and unworthy of worship. ## Talk to the Bible Try the “Talk To The Bible” feature to dig deeper. Suggested prompts: - “Show me Bible passages that describe or condemn secret household idols and explain the similarities to Deuteronomy 27:15.” - “How do New Testament writers and Jesus address the problem of hidden idols or divided loyalties?” - “Give a short modern devotional (3–5 points) based on Deuteronomy 27:15 about identifying and removing modern idols.”
