Deuteronomy 11:29

And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.

And it shall come to pass, when the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} hath brought thee in {H935} unto the land {H776} whither thou goest {H935} to possess {H3423} it, that thou shalt put {H5414} the blessing {H1293} upon mount {H2022} Gerizim {H1630}, and the curse {H7045} upon mount {H2022} Ebal {H5858}.

"When ADONAI your God brings you into the land you are entering in order to take possession of it, you are to put the blessing on Mount G'rizim and the curse on Mount 'Eival.

When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, you are to proclaim the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal.

And it shall come to pass, when Jehovah thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt set the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:29 presents a pivotal command from Moses to the Israelites as they stand on the precipice of entering the Promised Land. It instructs them to perform a solemn ceremony upon their arrival, publicly declaring the terms of God's covenant with them by associating blessings with Mount Gerizim and curses with Mount Ebal.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' extensive second discourse to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab before they cross the Jordan River into Canaan. The preceding verses in Deuteronomy 11:26-28 lay the groundwork, explicitly stating, "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse." This command for Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal was not merely symbolic; it was a concrete, physical act of covenant renewal and affirmation, designed to impress upon the people the gravity of their commitment to the LORD. This ceremony would later be carried out under Joshua's leadership, as recorded in Joshua 8:30-35, solidifying their allegiance within the very heart of the new land.

Key Themes

  • Covenant Enforcement and Consequences: The command underscores the conditional nature of the Mosaic covenant. Israel's well-being and prosperity in the land were directly tied to their obedience to God's laws. The public display on these mountains served as a dramatic, visual reminder that blessings would follow obedience, and curses would follow disobedience.
  • The Choice Presented: God consistently sets before His people a clear choice between two paths: the path of life and blessing through faithfulness, or the path of death and curse through rebellion. This choice is foundational to the entire book of Deuteronomy.
  • Geographic and Symbolic Significance: Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal are prominent mountains in the central hill country of Canaan, near modern-day Nablus (ancient Shechem). Mount Gerizim, often described as more fertile, became associated with the blessings, while Mount Ebal, generally more barren and rugged, was designated for the curses. This geographical contrast powerfully symbolized the stark difference between the two outcomes of obedience and disobedience.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms for "blessing" (ื‘ึฐึผืจึธื›ึธื”, berakah) and "curse" (ืงึฐืœึธืœึธื”, kelalah) are central to this verse. Berakah implies divine favor, prosperity, and well-being, often encompassing fruitfulness and protection. Kelalah signifies the opposite: divine disfavor, misfortune, and judgment, leading to hardship and barrenness. The direct juxtaposition of these two terms emphasizes the clear and unavoidable consequences of Israel's choices.

Practical Application

While we are under the new covenant of grace, the principle of choice and consequence remains profoundly relevant. This passage reminds us that:

  • God's Word Has Authority: Just as God's commands had tangible implications for ancient Israel, His principles continue to guide our lives today, leading to spiritual flourishing when followed.
  • Life Involves Choices: We are constantly faced with choices that align with God's will or deviate from it. Our decisions have real spiritual, and often practical, outcomes.
  • Accountability is Real: The dramatic ceremony on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal highlights the seriousness with which God views our obedience and faithfulness. It underscores the truth that our actions are not without spiritual accountability.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 27:12

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

  • Deuteronomy 27:26

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

  • Joshua 8:30

    ยถ Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,

  • Joshua 8:35

    There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.
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