For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.

DEUTERONOMY 25:16KJV
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Deuteronomy 25:16 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 25:16 mean?

Deuteronomy 25:16 says that anyone who acts dishonestly or unjustly is deeply offensive to the LORD God. The verse stresses that such behavior is not just wrong, but detestable in God’s eyes.

In this part of Deuteronomy, Moses is speaking to the Israelites, giving them laws for living as God’s people. The immediate context deals with fair business practices, like using honest weights and measures. The verse sums up the seriousness of cheating or acting unjustly, showing that God cares about integrity in everyday dealings.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 25:16

  • "do" (עָשָׂה, asah): This word means "to do" or "to make." Here, it points to people actively choosing to behave in certain ways, not just accidental mistakes.
  • "unrighteously" (עָוֶל, avel): This word often means "injustice" or "wrongdoing." It highlights actions that are morally crooked or unfair, especially in the context of cheating others.
  • "abomination" (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah): This strong word means something utterly detestable or repulsive, especially to God. It shows that dishonest actions are not minor slip-ups but are deeply offensive to God.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH) and "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): These names remind the reader that the standards come from the God who rescued and leads Israel, not just from human leaders.

Why Deuteronomy 25:16 matters

  • The verse clarifies that God’s concern for justice covers everyday life, not just religious rituals or big events.
  • By using the word "abomination," the verse shows that cheating or injustice is not a small issue but something God takes very seriously.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage about fair business practices, showing that personal honesty is a core part of living as God’s people.

Where else these words appear

“things” Hebrew H428 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
  • Numbers 10:28 Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:4 Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:

“unrighteously” Hebrew H5766 · used in 51 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Job 34:10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
  • Isaiah 59:3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

“abomination” Hebrew H8441 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  • Psalms 88:8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.
  • Ezekiel 7:4 And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.