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Deuteronomy

About this book
Chapter 27

1 Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Pay attention to all the commandments I am giving you today. 2 When you cross the Jordan River to the land the Lord your God is giving you, you must erect great stones and cover them with plaster. 3 Then you must inscribe on them all the words of this law when you cross over, so that you may enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, said to you. 4 So when you cross the Jordan you must erect on Mount Ebal these stones⁠ about which I am commanding you today, and you must cover them with plaster. 5 Then you must build an altar there to the Lord your God, an altar of stones—do not use an iron tool on them.⁠ 6 You must build the altar of the Lord your God with whole stones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. 7 Also you must offer fellowship offerings and eat them there, rejoicing before the Lord your God. 8 You must inscribe on the stones all the words of this law, making them clear.”⁠ 9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel: “Be quiet and pay attention, Israel. Today you have become the people of the Lord your God. 10 You must obey him and keep his commandments and statutes that I am giving you today.” 11 Moreover, Moses commanded the people that day: 12 “The following tribes must stand to bless the people on Mount Gerizim when you cross the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 And these other tribes must stand for the curse on Mount Ebal: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 “The Levites will call out to every Israelite with a loud voice: 15 ‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or metal image—something abhorrent to the Lord, the work of the craftsman—and sets it up in a secret place.’⁠ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 16 ‘Cursed is the one who disrespects his father and mother.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 17 ‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s boundary marker.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’⁠ 18 ‘Cursed is the one who misleads a blind person on the road.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 19 ‘Cursed is the one who perverts justice for the resident foreigner, the orphan, and the widow.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 20 ‘Cursed is the one who goes to bed with his father’s former wife, for he dishonors his father.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 21 ‘Cursed is the one who commits bestiality.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 22 ‘Cursed is the one who goes to bed with his sister, the daughter of either his father or mother.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 23 ‘Cursed is the one who goes to bed with his mother-in-law.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 24 ‘Cursed is the one who kills his neighbor in private.’⁠ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 25 ‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’⁠ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 26 ‘Cursed is the one who refuses to keep the words of this law.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’

Texts in conversation

Compare Deuteronomy 27:25 and Proverbs 15:27

Hebrew Bible

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Summary

Deuteronomy and Proverbs condemn taking bribes, portraying it as a betrayal of justice and compassion. In ancient Near Eastern culture, such behavior was seen as a direct violation of divine order, since bribes blinded judgment and harmed the innocent.

Passages

Deuteronomy 27:25

Hebrew Bible
23 ‘Cursed is the one who goes to bed with his mother-in-law.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 24 ‘Cursed is the one who kills his neighbor in private.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 25 ‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 26 ‘Cursed is the one who refuses to keep the words of this law.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
750–400 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Deuteronomy

Proverbs 15:27

Hebrew Bible
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he maintains the boundaries of the widow. 26 The Lord abhors the plans of the wicked, but pleasant words are pure. 27 The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live. 28 The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. 29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
600–201 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Proverbs

References

"... Albinus’s successor, however, was even worse (Josephus, War 2.277; Antiquities 20.253–54), driving many to leave Judea (War 2.279; Antiquities 20.256). Gessius Florus, who, through his wife’s friendship with Nero’s mistress, later obtained the province of Judea in 64 C.E., allegedly despoiled entire cities (War 2.278), robbed the temple treasury (2.293–95), and plundered homes in Jerusalem (2.305). His abuse of power helped fan the Judean resistance into flame (War 2.293, 296; Antiquities 18.25) and provoke the Judean war (War 2.282–83; Antiquities 20.257). Most relevant here, he allegedly cared about nothing except receiving bribes (War 2.287). That Felix, though less rapacious than his successors, was also eager to take advantage of bribes is not only plausible but probable. Luke’s audience ideally might also think of the corruption of another governor who betrayed the innocent to satisfy other people’s favor (Luke 23:24–25). From a Jewish perspective, such behavior was unconscionable, a perversion of divine justice. God rejects bribes and commands his judges and servants to reject bribes lest they pervert justice. God will curse those who accept bribes to do injustice (Deuteronomy 27:25; Sirach 40:12–13), but bless those who refrain (Psalm 15:5; Proverbs 15:27; Isaiah 33:15). Josephus claims that his colleagues succumbed to bribery (Life 73) but that he himself did not (Life 79), though some were bribed to oppose him (Life 196) ..."
Craig S. Keener, Acts: An Exegetical Commentary, Volume 4 (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2015), 234–235.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Deuteronomy 27:25 and Proverbs 15:27

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