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

1
Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all the commandments I am giving you today. ​
2
And on the day you cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, set up large stones and coat them with plaster. ​
3
Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.
4
And when you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to coat them with plaster. ​
5
Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them. ​
6
You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.
7
There you are to sacrifice your peace offerings, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God. ​
8
And you shall write distinctly upon these stones all the words of this law.” ​

Israel Enters the Covenant Relationship

9
Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel: “Be silent, O Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the LORD your God. ​
10
You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God and follow His commandments and statutes I am giving you today.”

Instructions for the Blessing and Cursing

11
On that day Moses commanded the people:
12
“When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. ​
13
And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14
Then the Levites shall proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite: ​

The Curses Declared

15
‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ​
16
‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ​
17
‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ​
18
‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ​
19
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ​
20
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ​
21
‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
22
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
23
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
24
‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ​
25
‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ​
26
‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people 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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