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."

Command to Write the Law on Stones

Then Moshe and all the leaders of Isra'el gave orders to the people. They said, "Observe all the mitzvot I am giving you today.

When you cross the Yarden to the land ADONAI your God is giving you, you are to set up large stones, put plaster on them,

and, after crossing over, write this Torah on them, every word -so that you can enter the land ADONAI your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as ADONAI, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

When you have crossed the Yarden, you are to set up these stones, as I am ordering you today, on Mount 'Eival; and put plaster on them.

There you are to erect an altar to ADONAI your God, an altar made of stones. You are not to use any iron tool on them,

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.

Also you are to sacrifice peace offerings, eat there and be joyful in the presence of ADONAI your God.

You are to write on the stones all the words of this Torah very clearly."

Israel Enters the Covenant Relationship

Next Moshe and the cohanim, who are L'vi'im, spoke to all Isra'el. They said, "Be quiet; and listen, Isra'el! Today you have become the people of ADONAI your God.

Therefore you are to listen to what ADONAI your God says and obey his mitzvot and laws, which I am giving you today."

Instructions for the Blessing and Cursing

That same day Moshe commissioned the people as follows:

"These are the ones who are to stand on Mount G'rizim and bless the people after you have crossed the Yarden: Shim'on, Levi, Y'hudah, Yissakhar, Yosef and Binyamin;

while these are to stand on Mount 'Eival for the curse: Re'uven, Gad, Asher, Z'vulun, Dan and Naftali.

The L'vi'im, speaking loudly, will proclaim to every man of Isra'el:

The Curses Declared

"'A curse on anyone who makes a carved or metal image, something ADONAI detests, the handiwork of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret!'All the people are to respond by saying, 'Amen!'

"'A curse on anyone who dishonors his father or mother.'All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

"'A curse on anyone who moves his neighbor's boundary marker.' All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

"'A curse on anyone who causes a blind person to lose his way on the road.'All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

"'A curse on anyone who interferes with justice for the foreigner, orphan or widow.'All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

"'A curse on anyone who has sexual relations with his father's wife, because he has violated his father's rights.'All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

"'A curse on anyone who has sexual relations with any kind of animal.' All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

"'A curse on anyone who has sexual relations with his sister, no matter whether she is the daughter of his father or of his mother.'All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

"'A curse on anyone who has sexual relations with his mother-in-law.' All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

"'A curse on anyone who secretly attacks a fellow member of the community.'All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

"'A curse on anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.' All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

"'A curse on anyone who does not confirm the words of this Torah by putting them into practice.'All the people are to 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).

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

Deuteronomy27

Command to Write the Law on Stones

Israel Enters the Covenant Relationship

Instructions for the Blessing and Cursing

The Curses Declared

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options