Deuteronomy 27:14

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

And the Levites {H3881} shall speak {H6030}, and say {H559} unto all the men {H376} of Israel {H3478} with a loud {H7311} voice {H6963},

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

Then the Levites shall proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite:

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

Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:14 marks a pivotal moment in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, setting the stage for a solemn declaration of divine law and its consequences.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' final instructions to the Israelites before they enter the promised land of Canaan. Specifically, it introduces the elaborate covenant renewal ceremony to be performed once they cross the Jordan River, at the geographical heart of the land, between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. Moses commands that half of the tribes stand on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings, and the other half on Mount Ebal for the curses. In this verse, the Levites are designated as the authoritative spokesmen for the covenant's stipulations, ensuring all Israel hears and acknowledges them.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Law: The Levites' role underscores that the words spoken are not merely human decrees but God's authoritative commands, binding upon the entire nation.
  • Public Proclamation and Accountability: The instruction for the Levites to speak "with a loud voice" highlights the public and undeniable nature of the covenant. Every man of Israel was expected to hear, understand, and subsequently affirm their commitment, making them fully accountable. This collective hearing emphasized their corporate responsibility.
  • Role of the Priesthood/Levites: The Levites, chosen for their sacred duties and knowledge of the Law (see Numbers 3:6), served as mediators and custodians of the covenant, ensuring its proper transmission and enforcement among the people.
  • Covenant Renewal: This ceremony was a powerful act of renewing Israel's commitment to the Mosaic Covenant, reinforcing the principles of obedience that would govern their life in the land.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "with a loud voice" (Hebrew: b'qol gadol) emphasizes the clarity, solemnity, and inescapable nature of the pronouncements. It wasn't a whisper or a casual remark, but a booming declaration meant to pierce the hearts and minds of all present. This ensured that no one could claim ignorance of the covenant's demands, setting the stage for the subsequent "Amen" responses from the people.

Related Scriptures

This verse sets the stage for the specific curses that follow in Deuteronomy 27:15-26, which each begin with "Cursed be he..." The full scope of the covenant's blessings and curses, contingent on Israel's obedience or disobedience, is elaborated in Deuteronomy chapter 28.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 27:14 reminds us of the importance of the clear and public proclamation of God's truth. Just as the Levites were tasked with ensuring the law was heard by all, spiritual leaders today are called to faithfully communicate God's word. For believers, it highlights the necessity of actively listening to and internalizing divine instruction. Our faith is not meant to be a private affair that can be ignored, but a public commitment to God's standards, requiring our diligent attention and obedience. It underscores that God's expectations are clearly communicated, and we are accountable for how we respond to His voice.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 9:11

    Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

  • Deuteronomy 33:9

    Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.

  • Deuteronomy 33:10

    They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.

  • Nehemiah 8:7

    Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people [stood] in their place.

  • Nehemiah 8:8

    So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused [them] to understand the reading.

  • Joshua 8:33

    And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

  • Malachi 2:7

    For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he [is] the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
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