John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 27:16

"Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen." — Deuteronomy 27:16 (ASV)

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 are undutiful (impii) to their parents. For the word קלל, kalal,²⁰¹ which means to despise as well as to curse, is put in opposition to the honor that, by the Fifth Commandment, is due to our father and mother.

Then He mentions thefts that generally escape human detection, and He also refers only to those acts of fornication that are anxiously concealed because of their filthiness.

To have relations with an animal, with one’s mother-in-law, stepmother, or sister, is so unnatural and detestable a crime that it is generally concealed more carefully.

But God admonishes us that whatever methods of concealment the sinner adopts will profit him nothing; rather, when He at length ascends His judgment-seat, their shame will be discovered.

For the same reason, He does not curse all murderers, but only those who have shed innocent blood for hire; this nefarious compact cannot easily be discovered and punished by laws.²⁰²

²⁰¹ He assumes, what is scarcely tenable, that מקלה is derived from קלל rather than from קלה — W

²⁰² “Des hommes.” — Fr..