16 'Cursed is he who sets light by his father or his mother.' All the people shall say, 'Amen.'
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Cursed be he that setteth light by his father. What follows refers to the Second Table of the Law; and, first, He pronounces those cursed who should be undutiful (impii) to their parents; for the word qll, kalal, [1] which means to despise, as well as to curse, is put in opposition to the honor which, by the Fifth Commandment, is due to our father and mother. Then He mentions such thefts as generally escape the knowledge of men; as also, He only adverts to those acts of fornication which are anxiously concealed on account of their filthiness. To have connection with a beast, with one's mother-in-law, or step-mother, or sister, is so unnatural and detestable a crime, that it is generally concealed more carefully. But God admonishes us that, whatever modes of concealment the sinner shall adopt, they will profit him nothing, but that, when He shall at length ascend His judgment-seat, their shame shall be discovered. For the same reason he does not curse all murderers, but only such as have shed innocent blood for hire, which nefarious compact cannot easily be discovered so as to be punished by laws.
1 - He assumes, what is scarcely tenable, that mqlh is derived from qll rather than from qlh -- W
Setteth light by his father or his mother - See the note on Exodus 20:12.
Cursed [be] he that (i) setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
(i) Or, condemns; and this applies to the second table.
Cursed be he that setteth light by his father, or his mother,.... That secretly despises them in his heart, and by looks and gestures mocks at them in a private manner, unseen by others, Proverbs 30:17; for if he publicly cursed them, that was cognizable by the civil magistrate, and he was to be put to death, Leviticus 20:9. This follows next, as in the order of the ten commands, to that which respects the fear and worship of God; honouring parents being next to the glorifying of God, the Father of all:
and all the people shall say Amen; applaud the righteous sentence, saying, "so let it be".
Light - Or, despiseth in his heart: or reproacheth or curseth, secretly: for if the fact was notorious, it was punished with death.
*More commentary available at chapter level.