Deuteronomy 27:5

And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up [any] iron [tool] upon them.

And there shalt thou build {H1129} an altar {H4196} unto the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, an altar {H4196} of stones {H68}: thou shalt not lift up {H5130} any iron {H1270} tool upon 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,

Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them.

And there shalt thou build an altar unto Jehovah thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt lift up no iron tool upon them.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:5 is part of a significant command given to the Israelites by Moses as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This verse specifically instructs them on how to construct an altar on Mount Ebal, a place designated for the solemn reading of the Law and the reaffirmation of their covenant with God.

Context

In Deuteronomy 27, Moses outlines a series of instructions for the Israelites to follow once they cross the Jordan River. These include setting up large, plastered stones on Mount Ebal upon which the words of the Law were to be written. Immediately following, the command in verse 5 details the construction of an altar for burnt offerings and peace offerings. This ritual act of building an altar and offering sacrifices was central to their covenant renewal, symbolizing their dedication and reliance on God's provision and forgiveness as they established themselves in the land.

Key Themes

  • Purity and Wholeness in Worship: The prohibition against lifting an "iron tool" upon the stones meant that the altar was to be built from natural, unhewn stones, untouched by human artifice or implements of war and industry. This symbolized that worship before God must be pure, unblemished, and not reliant on human skill or manipulation. It emphasized God's holiness and the need for His people to approach Him on His terms.
  • Obedience to Divine Command: This specific instruction highlights the paramount importance of strict obedience to God's precise commands, even in seemingly minor details of worship. It underscores that authentic worship is not about human preference or ingenuity, but about faithfully following God's prescribed ways.
  • Simplicity and Naturalness: The requirement for unhewn stones suggested a return to simplicity and a reliance on God's natural creation rather than elaborate human craftsmanship. It stood in contrast to pagan altars which often involved carved images or highly refined structures, reinforcing that God's presence is not enhanced by human embellishment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "iron tool" is barzel, which refers to metal implements, often associated with shaping, construction, or warfare. The command not to use such a tool on the altar stones (a principle also found in Exodus 20:25) conveyed a profound theological message. It suggested that anything touched by human power, skill, or violence was unfit for direct use in building a sacred place of worship and reconciliation. The altar was to be a place of peace, built by God's design, not man's might.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 27:5 offers timeless principles for contemporary believers:

  • Authentic Worship: Our worship of God should be genuine, sincere, and from the heart, rather than relying on external showmanship, human programs, or artificial embellishments. God seeks truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6).
  • Trust in God's Way: This verse reminds us that true spiritual effectiveness and blessing come from following God's revealed will, not from inventing our own methods or relying on human cleverness, wisdom, or strength.
  • Humility Before God: The unhewn altar symbolizes humility before a holy God. It teaches us that our efforts to approach God must be on His terms, acknowledging His supreme authority and holiness, rather than attempting to "improve" upon His divine design with our own abilities.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 20:25

    And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

  • Exodus 24:4

    And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

  • 1 Kings 18:31

    And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

  • 1 Kings 18:32

    And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

  • Joshua 8:30

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

  • 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.
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