King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
Complete Jewish Bible:
but are to build the altar of ADONAI your God of uncut stones; and you are to offer burnt offerings on it to ADONAI your God.
Berean Standard Bible:
You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.
American Standard Version:
Thou shalt build the altar of Jehovah thy God of unhewn stones; and thou shalt offer burnt-offerings thereon unto Jehovah thy God:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt build{H1129} the altar{H4196} of the LORD{H3068} thy God{H430} of whole{H8003} stones{H68}: and thou shalt offer{H5927} burnt offerings{H5930} thereon unto the LORD{H3068} thy God{H430}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Ephesians 5:2
- And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Leviticus 1:1
- ¶ And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
Leviticus 1:17
- And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, [but] shall not divide [it] asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that [is] upon the fire: it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
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Commentary for Deuteronomy 27:6
Deuteronomy 27:6 is part of a larger section in the book of Deuteronomy that deals with the ceremonial and moral instructions given by Moses to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The verse specifically addresses the construction of an altar to the Lord and the sacrifices to be made upon it.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan. Moses, as the leader of the Israelites, is relaying the commands of God to ensure that when they cross the Jordan River and settle in the land promised to their ancestors, they will live according to God's laws and statutes. The instruction to build the altar from "whole stones" — stones that have not been cut or shaped by iron tools — emphasizes the sacredness of the altar and the worship of God. Iron, often associated with war and death, was not to come into contact with the stones of the altar, preserving its holiness and setting it apart for divine use.
The theme of purity and holiness in worship is central to this verse. The use of unhewn stones signifies an unblemished, whole-hearted approach to God, free from the defilement of human manipulation or pagan practices associated with the use of iron tools in altar construction. Furthermore, the command to offer burnt offerings on this altar underscores the importance of sacrifice as a means of atonement, worship, and communion with God.
In summary, Deuteronomy 27:6 reflects the importance of worshiping God in the manner He prescribes, highlighting the themes of holiness, purity, and whole-hearted devotion. It serves as a reminder to the Israelites, and by extension to all who follow God, that their approach to Him in worship must be reverent and in accordance with His commands, which are designed to set them apart as His people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1129
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּנָה
Transliteration: bânâh
Pronunciation: baw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H4196
There are 338 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִזְבֵּחַ
Transliteration: mizbêach
Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh
Description: from זָבַח; an altar; altar. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H8003
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלֵם
Transliteration: shâlêm
Pronunciation: shaw-lame'
Description: from שָׁלַם; complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly; full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect(-ed), quiet, Shalem (by mistake for a name), whole. - Strong's Number: H68
There are 1276 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶבֶן
Transliteration: ʼeben
Pronunciation: eh'-ben
Description: from the root of בָּנָה through the meaning to build; a stone; [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s). - Strong's Number: H5927
There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָלָה
Transliteration: ʻâlâh
Pronunciation: aw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. - Strong's Number: H5930
There are 262 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֹלָה
Transliteration: ʻôlâh
Pronunciation: o-law'
Description: or עוֹלָה; feminine active participle of עָלָה; a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke); ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also עֶוֶל.