Deuteronomy27

Deuteronomy 27 outlines Moses' commands for Israel upon entering Canaan, instructing them to set up great plastered stones on Mount Ebal to inscribe the law, and to build an unhewn altar for offerings. It then details a solemn ceremony where six tribes stand on Mount Gerizim for blessings and six on Mount Ebal for curses. The Levites pronounce twelve specific curses against various transgressions, to which all the people are to respond with a resounding "Amen."

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Command to Write the Law on Stones

And Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandment which I command you this day.

And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over the Jordan unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with plaster:

and thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over; that thou mayest go in unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Jehovah, the God of thy fathers, hath promised thee.

And it shall be, when ye are passed over the Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster.

And there shalt thou build an altar unto Jehovah thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt lift up no iron tool upon them.

Thou shalt build the altar of Jehovah thy God of unhewn stones; and thou shalt offer burnt-offerings thereon unto Jehovah thy God:

and thou shalt sacrifice peace-offerings, and shalt eat there; and thou shalt rejoice before Jehovah thy God.

And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

Israel Enters the Covenant Relationship

And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Keep silence, and hearken, O Israel: This day thou art become the people of Jehovah thy God.

Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of Jehovah thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

Instructions for the Blessing and Cursing

And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,

These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are passed over the Jordan: Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin.

And these shall stand upon mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

And the Levites shall answer, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

The Curses Declared

Cursed be the man that maketh a graven or molten image, an abomination unto Jehovah, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and setteth it up in secret. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Cursed be he that removeth his neighbor’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Cursed be he that wresteth the justice due to the sojourner, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Cursed be he that lieth with his father’s wife, because he hath uncovered his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbor in secret. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Cursed be he that taketh a bribe to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Cursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Study Notes for Deuteronomy 27

Verse 1

Moses and the elders initiate the final instructions before crossing the Jordan, emphasizing the totality of the Law they must keep upon entering the land.

Verse 2

The setting up of large, plastered stones served as a concrete, visible, and permanent memorial of the covenant Law, symbolizing that Israel’s possession of the land was conditional upon obedience.

Verse 4

Mount Ebal, the mountain of cursing (V. 13), is specifically chosen for this inscription and the altar, highlighting the seriousness and binding nature of the covenant obligations.

Verse 5

The altar must be made of uncut, whole stones, symbolizing that God's worship is pure and must not be shaped or altered by human tools or craft (cf. Exod 20:25).

Verse 7

Peace offerings (or fellowship offerings) allowed the people to eat the sacrifice, symbolizing communion and rejoicing in God's presence after covenant establishment.

Verse 8

Writing the law 'very plainly' implies engraving or inscribing clearly, ensuring universal access and removing any excuse for ignorance of the covenant terms.

Verse 9

"This day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God" marks the definitive, final confirmation of Israel’s covenant relationship and unique status just prior to entry into Canaan.

Verse 12

The tribes are divided equally, six for blessing (on Mount Gerizim) and six for cursing (on Mount Ebal), demonstrating the balanced nature of covenant accountability.

Verse 14

The Levites acted as the official covenant heralds, reciting the specific curses (likely twelve in number) to which the entire assembly responded 'Amen' (meaning 'so be it').

Verse 15

This first curse targets secret idolatry, violating the First Commandment. The emphasis on secrecy highlights that God sees all hidden acts of covenant infidelity.

Verse 16

Dishonoring parents (the Fifth Commandment) is viewed as a foundational attack on the social structure and is treated as a crime warranting the covenant curse.

Verse 17

Moving a landmark was a serious offense, often exploiting the poor or vulnerable whose property boundaries were essential for their survival (cf. Prov 22:28).

Verse 18

This curse addresses malicious deception and exploitation, targeting those who take advantage of the disabled or weak for personal gain.

Verse 19

Protection of the vulnerable (stranger, fatherless, widow) is a central theological theme in Deuteronomy, reflecting God's righteous character and judicial concern.

Verse 20

This begins a series of curses addressing specific sexual sins (incest and bestiality, Vv. 20-23), which defile the community and violate the holiness code.

Verse 24

Cursing the one who 'smiteth his neighbour secretly' targets premeditated violence or murder done in stealth, avoiding legal consequence.

Verse 25

This curse addresses judicial corruption and the taking of bribes to condemn an innocent person, striking at the heart of justice and law (cf. Exod 23:7-8).

Verse 26

This climactic curse summarizes the entire covenant requirement, stressing that judgment falls upon those who fail to uphold *all* the words of the Law. This verse is key to Paul’s understanding of the Law’s binding nature (Gal 3:10).

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Deuteronomy27

Command to Write the Law on Stones

Israel Enters the Covenant Relationship

Instructions for the Blessing and Cursing

The Curses Declared

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