Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law. And all the people must say, 'Amen.'
This verse declares that sexual relations with one's mother-in-law brings God's curse, and the people must agree with this moral boundary.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is delivering God's laws to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, emphasizing the covenant obligations that would guide their new society. This specific verse is part of a public ceremony on Mount Ebal where curses were pronounced for various violations of God's commands, serving as a deterrent to maintain moral purity and social order. These laws reflected the ancient Near Eastern context where family structures and sexual boundaries were crucial for community holiness and avoiding practices common in surrounding pagan cultures.
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