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

1
Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commandment which I command you this day. ​
2
It shall be on the day when you shall pass over the Jordan to the land which the LORD your God gives you, that you shall set yourself up great stones, and coat them with plaster. ​
3
You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over; that you may go in to the land which the LORD your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.
4
It shall be, when you have passed over the Jordan, that you shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, on Mount Ebal, and you shall coat them with plaster. ​
5
There you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You shall not use any iron tool on them. ​
6
You shall build the altar of the LORD your God of uncut stones. You shall offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God.
7
You shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there. You shall rejoice before the LORD your God. ​
8
You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.” ​

Israel Enters the Covenant Relationship

9
Moses and the priests the Levites spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silence, and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of the LORD your God. ​
10
You shall therefore obey the LORD your God’s voice, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command you this day.”

Instructions for the Blessing and Cursing

11
Moses commanded the people the same day, saying,
12
“These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have passed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. ​
13
These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14
With a loud voice, the Levites shall say to all the men of Israel, ​

The Curses Declared

15
‘Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ All the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’ ​
16
‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ​
17
‘Cursed is he who removes his neighbor’s landmark.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ​
18
‘Cursed is he who leads the blind astray on the road.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ​
19
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ​
20
‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ​
21
‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
22
‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
23
‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
24
‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ​
25
‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ ​
26
‘Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.’ 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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