John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:25
Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person ,.... As an assassin, to murder him privately; or as a judge, that takes a bribe to condemn to death an innocent person: so Aben Ezra observes, that according to the sense of some a judge is meant; but, says he, in my opinion a false witness; one that swears a man's life away for the sake of a reward given him: and all the people shall say Amen ; at so detestable a crime. read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:24
Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly ,.... And kills him, and the murder is not known; the curse of God follows such, and overtakes them sooner or later. Some interpret this of smiting with the tongue, of secret backbiting and slander; so the Targum of Jonathan,"that smiteth with the third tongue;'or false accusation: and all the people shall say Amen ; as disapproving of and condemning such a practice, even slander, and especially murder. read more