“‘Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
16. 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 קלל, kalal, He assumes, what is scarcely tenable, that מקלה is derived from קלל rather than from קלה — W which means to despise, as well as to...
When the law was written, to be seen and read by all men, the sanctions of it were to be published, which, to complete the solemnity of their covenanting with God, they were deliberately to declare their approbation of. This they were before directed to do (Deu 11:29, Deu 11:30), and therefore the appointment here begins somewhat abruptly, Deu 27:12.
Commenting on Deuteronomy 27:11-26
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, Pro 30:17; for if he publicly cursed them, that was cognizable by the civil magistrate, and he was to be put to death, Lev 20:9.