Deuteronomy 27:2

KJV

And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall be on the day {H3117} when ye shall pass over {H5674} Jordan {H3383} unto the land {H776} which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} giveth {H5414} thee, that thou shalt set thee up {H6965} great {H1419} stones {H68}, and plaister {H7874} them with plaister {H7875}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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,

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over the Jordan unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with plaster:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 27:2 outlines a foundational command given to the Israelites just prior to their entry into the Promised Land. Moses instructs them to erect great stones upon crossing the Jordan River and to plaster them, preparing a surface for the inscription of God's Law. This act was designed to serve as an immediate and tangible memorial, signifying the nation's covenant commitment and the centrality of divine instruction in their new inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Moses's final discourses to the generation poised to enter Canaan, recorded in the book of Deuteronomy. Specifically, [Deuteronomy 27](/deuteronomy/27 "Deuteronomy 27 - The Ceremony of Curses and Blessings") initiates a solemn covenant renewal ceremony to be performed immediately upon their entry into the land. The commands in this chapter, culminating in the public recitation of blessings and curses on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, emphasize the non-negotiable nature of God's Law as the foundation for their national life in the Promised Land. Verse 2 sets the stage for this monumental event, detailing the very first physical act of preparation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites are encamped on the plains of Moab, gazing across the Jordan River at the land promised to their ancestors. The crossing of the Jordan, detailed in [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - The Jordan River Crossing"), marks a pivotal transition from forty years of wilderness wandering to the fulfillment of God's promise. In the ancient Near East, the erection of memorial stones was a common practice to commemorate significant events, treaties, or laws. The act of plastering stones for inscriptions was also known, providing a smooth, visible surface for public decrees or sacred texts. This command, therefore, resonates with familiar cultural practices but imbues them with profound theological significance, linking a physical monument to divine revelation and covenant obligation.

* **Key Themes:** The command in [Deuteronomy 27:2](/deuteronomy/27-2 "Deuteronomy 27:2 - Setting Up Plastered Stones") contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy. Firstly, it underscores **Covenant Remembrance and Renewal**, serving as a tangible reminder of the covenant established at Sinai and its renewal on the plains of Moab. Secondly, the phrase "the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee" highlights **Divine Provision and Sovereignty**, emphasizing that their inheritance is a gracious gift from God, not merely a result of their own conquest, echoing God's earlier promise to Abraham in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham"). Lastly, the instruction to plaster the stones for the Law's inscription (as revealed in [Deuteronomy 27:3](/deuteronomy/27-3 "Deuteronomy 27:3 - Writing the Law on the Stones")) establishes the **Centrality and Authority of God's Law** as the governing principle for their new national existence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jordan (Hebrew, _Yarden'_):** This is the geographical boundary separating the wilderness from the Promised Land. Symbolically, crossing the Jordan represents a definitive transition from a nomadic, dependent existence to settled inheritance, marking the fulfillment of God's promise and the beginning of a new phase in Israel's history. The immediacy of the command "on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan" underscores the critical importance of covenant affirmation at this pivotal moment.
* **Stones (Hebrew, _'abanim'_):** The instruction to set up "great stones" (often translated as "large stones") implies a monument of significant size and visibility. In biblical tradition, stones frequently serve as memorials (e.g., [Joshua 4:9](/joshua/4-9 "Joshua 4:9 - Stones of Remembrance at Gilgal")), altars, or markers of covenant. Here, they are to be a permanent, public testament to God's Law and faithfulness, serving as a foundational marker for their new life.
* **Plaister (Hebrew, _sid'_):** This term refers to lime plaster or whitewash. The command to "plaister them with plaister" was a practical necessity. Applying a smooth, light-colored coating to the rough stones would create an ideal surface for inscribing the words of the Law clearly and legibly, ensuring that the divine commandments were visible and accessible to all who passed by.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee":** This opening clause establishes the precise timing and the divine source of their inheritance. The phrase "on the day" emphasizes the urgency and immediacy of the command, indicating that this act of covenant affirmation was to be the very first order of business upon entering the land. The repeated emphasis on "the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee" highlights that their possession is not a result of their own merit or strength, but a gracious, sovereign gift from Yahweh, underscoring His faithfulness to His covenant promises.
* **"that thou shalt set thee up great stones":** This is the core command: to erect a prominent, tangible monument. The "great stones" would serve as a physical marker of their entry into the land and, more importantly, as a permanent reminder of the divine instructions that would govern their lives within that land. The act of setting them up signifies a public, national commitment.
* **"and plaister them with plaister":** This practical instruction details how the stones were to be prepared for their ultimate purpose. The plaster would create a smooth, white surface, making it possible to inscribe the words of the Law clearly and visibly for all to see and read. This detail underscores the instructional and public nature of the monument, ensuring that God's commandments were not hidden but openly displayed as the foundation of their new society.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Command** as its dominant literary device, delivering a direct and imperative instruction from Moses to the Israelites. This command is framed with a strong sense of **Anticipation**, as it directs an action to be performed "on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan," building expectation for the momentous transition and the subsequent covenant ceremony. Furthermore, the "great stones" themselves function as **Symbolism**, representing permanence, remembrance, and the foundational nature of the Law. The entire act of setting up and plastering the stones is symbolic of establishing God's rule and Word as the bedrock of their national life in the Promised Land.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 27:2 powerfully connects the physical act of entering the Promised Land with a spiritual and covenantal commitment. It signifies that the inheritance of God's promises is inextricably linked to the reception and public affirmation of His Law. The command to erect and plaster the stones serves as a perpetual reminder that Israel's identity and prosperity in the land would be contingent upon their obedience to God's commandments. This act was not merely a historical marker but a theological statement: God's Word was to be the visible and unshakeable foundation of their new national life, guiding every aspect of their existence in the land He graciously provided.

* [Joshua 4:1-9](/joshua/4-1 "Joshua 4:1-9 - Memorial Stones at Gilgal")
* [Deuteronomy 6:6-9](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-9 - The Shema and Teaching the Law")
* [Exodus 24:7](/exodus/24-7 "Exodus 24:7 - The Book of the Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 27:2 provides a profound model for how we, as individuals and communities of faith, should approach significant transitions and new seasons in life. Just as Israel was called to immediately establish a visible and tangible reminder of God's Law upon entering their inheritance, we too are challenged to make God's Word central and visible in our lives, especially during moments of new beginnings, challenges, or expanded responsibilities. This verse encourages us to intentionally "set up great stones" in our spiritual journeys—creating deliberate markers of God's faithfulness and our renewed commitment to His commands. It's a call to ensure that God's truths are not merely intellectual concepts but are "plastered" onto the very fabric of our daily existence, influencing our decisions, shaping our values, and remaining visible to those around us, serving as a constant testimony to His sovereignty and our devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jordan" are you currently crossing in your life, and how are you preparing to acknowledge God's leading in that new season?**
* **In what ways can you tangibly "set up great stones" in your life or community to remember God's faithfulness and His commands?**
* **How are you ensuring that God's Word is not just heard but "plastered" onto the fabric of your daily existence and visible to those around you?**

### FAQ
**Why were the stones plastered?**

Answer: The stones were plastered to create a smooth, light-colored surface upon which the words of the Law could be clearly and legibly inscribed. This made the inscription highly visible and durable, ensuring that the divine commandments were accessible for all to read and remember. It was a practical necessity to fulfill the instructional and memorial purpose of the monument.

**What was written on these stones?**

Answer: [Deuteronomy 27:3](/deuteronomy/27-3 "Deuteronomy 27:3 - Writing the Law on the Stones") specifies that "all the words of this law" were to be written upon them. While the exact scope is debated, it likely refers to the core covenant stipulations, perhaps the Ten Commandments, the blessings and curses of Deuteronomy 28, or a summary of the Mosaic Law. The intention was to publicly display the foundational principles of God's covenant with Israel.

**Where were these stones to be set up?**

Answer: [Deuteronomy 27:4](/deuteronomy/27-4 "Deuteronomy 27:4 - Location of the Stones at Mount Ebal") explicitly states that these stones were to be set up on Mount Ebal. This location was significant as it was one of the two mountains (the other being Mount Gerizim) between which the subsequent ceremony of blessings and curses was to take place, making it a central and prominent site for this national act of covenant renewal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 27:2, with its command to erect plastered stones bearing the Law, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The physical act of crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land, a land "which the LORD thy God giveth thee," prefigures the spiritual entry into God's kingdom and the inheritance granted to believers through Christ ([Colossians 1:12](/colossians/1-12 "Colossians 1:12 - Inheritance in Light")). The Law written on stones, a tangible but external reminder, foreshadows the New Covenant promise where God's Law is no longer merely inscribed on tablets of stone but "written on their hearts" by the Holy Spirit ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant") and [2 Corinthians 3:3](/2_corinthians/3-3 "2 Corinthians 3:3 - Letters Written on Hearts")). Jesus Christ himself is the ultimate "stone"—the "living Stone" rejected by men but chosen by God, upon whom the new spiritual temple, the Church, is built ([1 Peter 2:4-8](/1_peter/2-4 "1 Peter 2:4-8 - Christ the Living Stone")). The public proclamation of the Law from the plastered stones points to the ultimate and public proclamation of the Gospel, which is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")). Thus, the temporary monument of Deuteronomy 27:2 finds its eternal reality in Christ, who is the embodiment of God's Law and the foundation of our spiritual inheritance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 11:19

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

Joshua 8:31

As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up [any] iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

Joshua 4:1

¶ And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,

Ezekiel 36:26

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Deuteronomy 6:1

¶ Now these [are] the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do [them] in the land whither ye go to possess it:

Joshua 4:5

And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:

Joshua 4:24

That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it [is] mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.