Deuteronomy 27:25 Meaning and Explanation
“Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Taking payment to murder an innocent person is cursed as the gravest perversion of justice.
The Context of Deuteronomy 27:25
The eleventh curse condemns taking payment to murder an innocent person.
What Does Deuteronomy 27:25 Mean?
This curse targets murder-for-hire—the ultimate corruption of justice and community safety. An innocent person is killed, their murderer escapes accountability because they were paid, and the person paying the reward escapes culpability. This violation combines theft of life, bribery, and conspiracy against justice.
The severity of this curse reflects the severity of the sin. Murder is forbidden; so is accepting a bribe; so is conspiracy. Murder-for-hire combines all these evils. Each 'Amen' commits Israel to protect innocent life from hidden plots and to ensure that money cannot purchase immunity from justice. Covenant community depends on valuing innocent life and holding murderers accountable regardless of who employs them.
Deuteronomy 27:25 in the Original Language
innocent (נָקִי, naqi) — guiltless, without fault or culpability, referring to one who has committed no crime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 27:25
What does Deuteronomy 27:25 mean?
Taking payment to murder an innocent person is cursed as the gravest perversion of justice.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 27:25?
The eleventh curse condemns taking payment to murder an innocent person.