Deuteronomy 27:6

KJV

Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt build {H1129} the altar {H4196} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} of whole {H8003} stones {H68}: and thou shalt offer {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} thereon unto the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}:

Complete Jewish Bible

but are to build the altar of ADONAI your God of uncut stones; and you are to offer burnt offerings on it to ADONAI your God.

Berean Standard Bible

You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt build the altar of Jehovah thy God of unhewn stones; and thou shalt offer burnt-offerings thereon unto Jehovah thy God:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 27:6 presents a foundational divine command to the Israelites, instructing them to construct an altar to the LORD using "whole stones" and to offer burnt offerings upon it. This directive is a critical component of the covenant renewal ceremony on Mount Ebal, underscoring principles of purity, obedience, and distinction in worship as the nation prepares to enter and settle the Promised Land, thereby establishing a pivotal act of worship and covenant affirmation in their new territory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the fabric of Deuteronomy 27, a chapter dedicated to the solemn covenant renewal ceremony to be enacted immediately upon Israel's entrance into the Promised Land. Preceding this instruction, the people are commanded to set up large, plastered stones on Mount Ebal upon which the Law is to be written ([Deuteronomy 27:4](/deuteronomy/27-4 "Deuteronomy 27:4 - Writing the Law on Stones")). The subsequent command to build an altar of whole stones and offer sacrifices ([Deuteronomy 27:6](/deuteronomy/27-6 "Deuteronomy 27:6 - Building the Altar")) directly precedes the dramatic pronouncements of blessings and curses from Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal ([Deuteronomy 27:11-26](/deuteronomy/27-11-26 "Deuteronomy 27:11-26 - Curses on Mount Ebal")). This sequence highlights the altar and its sacrifices as the spiritual nexus of this national commitment, serving as the centerpiece for reaffirming their allegiance to God's Law before they disperse into their tribal inheritances. The immediate juxtaposition emphasizes that true obedience to God's written word is inseparable from proper, prescribed worship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command in Deuteronomy 27:6 is issued as the Israelites stand poised to enter Canaan, a land saturated with pagan cultures and their idolatrous worship practices. In these surrounding cultures, altars were frequently elaborate, carved, and sometimes even involved human sacrifices. The explicit prohibition against using iron tools on the altar stones ([Deuteronomy 27:5](/deuteronomy/27-5 "Deuteronomy 27:5 - No Iron Tools on the Altar")) and the requirement for "whole stones" served as a stark, deliberate contrast to these prevailing customs. This distinction reinforced Israel's unique identity as God's chosen people. Iron, a metal associated with human technology, warfare, and dominion, was to be kept separate from the sacred space of worship, which was intended to be a realm of peace, divine presence, and humble submission to God's simple, unadulterated commands. This separation was vital for preserving the purity of Israel's worship and the distinctiveness of their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** The instruction in [Deuteronomy 27:6](/deuteronomy/27-6 "Deuteronomy 27:6 - Building the Altar") significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores **Purity and Wholeness in Worship**, emphasizing God's demand for unadulterated materials and sincere devotion, free from human embellishment or manipulation. This theme resonates with earlier commands regarding altar construction found in [Exodus 20:25](/exodus/20-25 "Exodus 20:25 - Altar Construction Command"). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Prescription**, asserting God's sole authority in dictating the terms of His worship, rather than allowing for human innovation or aesthetic preference. Obedience to God's precise instructions is paramount in approaching Him, thereby reinforcing the covenantal nature of their relationship. Thirdly, the act of offering "burnt offerings" speaks to **Atonement and Dedication**, symbolizing complete surrender and reconciliation with God. This ritual act reaffirms the **Covenant Relationship** between God and Israel, providing a means by which sin could be addressed and fellowship restored. Finally, the uniqueness of this building method reinforces **Obedience and Distinction**, visually and spiritually setting Israel apart from the surrounding pagan nations, solidifying their identity as a people consecrated exclusively to the LORD.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Whole (Hebrew, _shâlêm'_):** From the root meaning "to be complete," this word signifies something that is complete, perfect, full, or untouched. In the context of the altar stones, it means they must be unhewn, unshaped, and unmarred by human tools, particularly iron. This emphasizes the divine requirement for purity and integrity in worship, where human effort or embellishment is to be excluded, ensuring that the altar reflects God's unadulterated design.
* **Burnt offerings (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to ascend" or "to go up," this term refers to a specific type of sacrifice where the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar, with the smoke ascending to God. This offering symbolized complete dedication, total surrender, and full atonement for sin. Unlike other sacrifices where portions might be returned to the offerer or priests, the _ʻôlâh_ represented a complete giving of the offering to God, signifying a desire for full reconciliation and devotion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones:":** This clause delivers the precise divine instruction for the construction of the altar. The crucial emphasis on "whole stones" (stones untouched by iron tools) signifies God's demand for purity, simplicity, and unadulterated worship. The altar, serving as the central place of communion with God, must be built according to His exact specifications, not human design or embellishment. This command reiterates a fundamental principle found earlier in [Exodus 20:25](/exodus/20-25 "Exodus 20:25 - Altar Construction Command"), underscoring its enduring significance. The altar is not merely a functional structure but a profound symbol of the relationship between God and His people, a relationship built solely on divine terms.
* **"and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:":** This second clause specifies the primary purpose of the altar: to offer burnt offerings. These offerings, entirely consumed by fire, symbolized complete dedication and atonement for sin. The act of presenting these sacrifices upon the divinely prescribed altar underscores the covenant relationship between Israel and Yahweh. It is through these offerings, presented in the manner God commanded, that the people could approach Him, seek forgiveness, and express their devotion, thereby maintaining their covenant standing with God in the Promised Land.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "whole stones" symbolizing purity, integrity, and the unadulterated nature of true worship, standing in stark contrast to the defiling influence of human tools (specifically iron, associated with warfare and human dominion). The **burnt offerings** themselves are symbolic of complete dedication, atonement, and total surrender to God. There is a clear use of **Divine Command** (imperative verbs like "thou shalt build," "thou shalt offer"), emphasizing God's absolute authority and the non-negotiable nature of His instructions for worship. The passage also utilizes **Contrast** by implicitly setting Israel's divinely ordained worship apart from the pagan practices of the surrounding nations, which often involved elaborately carved altars and idols. Furthermore, this command serves as a **Reiteration** of earlier laws given at Sinai ([Exodus 20:25](/exodus/20-25 "Exodus 20:25 - Altar Construction Command")), reinforcing the enduring principles of proper worship and covenant fidelity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 27:6, with its specific instructions for building an altar of "whole stones" and offering burnt offerings, profoundly connects to the broader biblical theology of worship, purity, and divine sovereignty. It teaches that true worship is not about human ingenuity or embellishment, but about humble obedience to God's precise commands. The unhewn stones symbolize the unadulterated nature of God's revelation and the unmanipulated heart required in approaching Him. This principle transcends the Old Testament sacrificial system, pointing to a God who values sincerity and truth over outward show or human-devised rituals. The burnt offerings, signifying complete dedication, underscore the totality of devotion God desires from His people, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.

* [Exodus 20:25](/exodus/20-25 "Exodus 20:25 - Altar Construction Command from Sinai")
* [Joshua 8:30-31](/joshua/8-30-31 "Joshua 8:30-31 - Joshua Builds an Altar on Mount Ebal")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While contemporary believers no longer construct physical altars or offer animal sacrifices, the timeless principles embedded in Deuteronomy 27:6 remain profoundly relevant for our spiritual lives today. The command to use "whole stones" speaks directly to the purity, sincerity, and authenticity God desires in our worship. Our approach to God should be unembellished by human pride, manipulation, or performance, and instead rooted in humble obedience to His Word. True worship is not about elaborate human effort or outward show, but about offering ourselves wholly to God – our time, talents, resources, and very lives – just as the burnt offerings symbolized complete dedication. This verse challenges us to examine the "materials" of our spiritual altars: are they "whole" and unadulterated by worldly influences, or have we allowed human traditions, self-interest, or cultural trends to "cut" and "shape" our devotion? God desires a worship that is genuine, uncompromised, and offered in spirit and truth, reflecting a heart fully surrendered to His divine prescriptions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "cut" or "shape" my worship of God with human ideas or efforts, rather than offering it "whole" and unadulterated?**
* **How can the principle of "whole stones" inform my approach to personal devotion, corporate worship, and service in the church?**
* **What does "complete dedication" (symbolized by the burnt offering) look like in my daily life, and where might God be calling me to greater surrender?**
* **How does my worship distinguish me from the surrounding culture, and does it truly reflect God's unique prescriptions?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command the use of "whole stones" and forbid iron tools on the altar?**

Answer: The command for "whole stones" (untouched by iron tools) served multiple significant purposes. Firstly, it symbolized purity and integrity. God desired an altar that was natural, simple, and unadulterated by human craftsmanship or ingenuity. This contrasted sharply with pagan altars, which were often elaborately carved and decorated, reflecting human pride and artistic skill. Secondly, iron was associated with warfare, human dominion, and the instruments of violence and labor. By forbidding iron on the altar, God emphasized that His worship was to be a place of peace, divine presence, and humble submission, not human power or effort. It underscored that God's work of salvation and atonement is His alone, not something to be "improved" or "defiled" by human hands ([Exodus 20:25](/exodus/20-25 "Exodus 20:25 - Altar Construction Command")). The altar was a place where humanity met God on His terms, not theirs.

**What was the significance of "burnt offerings" on this altar?**

Answer: Burnt offerings (Hebrew: _ʻôlâh_) were a type of sacrifice in which the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar, with the smoke ascending to God. This symbolized complete dedication, atonement for sin, and total surrender to God's will. Unlike other offerings where portions might be eaten by priests or worshippers, the burnt offering represented a complete giving of the offering to God, signifying a desire for full reconciliation and devotion. On this specific altar built upon entering the Promised Land, the burnt offerings would have served as a powerful act of covenant renewal and reaffirmation, acknowledging God's sovereignty and seeking His continued favor and forgiveness as the nation began its life in Canaan ([Leviticus 1:3-9](/leviticus/1-3-9 "Leviticus 1:3-9 - Regulations for Burnt Offerings")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 27:6, with its emphasis on an altar of "whole stones" and burnt offerings, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The requirement for "whole stones," untouched by human tools, profoundly prefigures the perfect, unblemished nature of Christ, who was without sin and required no human "hewing" or addition to His redemptive work ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Was Without Sin")). He is the "whole" and complete sacrifice, divinely appointed and untainted by human imperfection or effort. Just as the burnt offering symbolized complete dedication and atonement, Jesus offered Himself as the singular, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice, fully consumed by the Father's will and providing complete atonement for the sins of the world ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). His death on the cross was the ultimate "burnt offering," a fragrant aroma pleasing to God, signifying His total surrender and obedience to the Father's plan ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")). Through Christ, believers are now called to offer themselves as "living sacrifices," building spiritual altars of worship with hearts made "whole" by His grace, offering unadulterated praise and obedience in spirit and truth ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices") and [John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). He is our altar, our sacrifice, and the High Priest who enables us to draw near to God with confidence and boldness.

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

Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Leviticus 1:1

¶ And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

Leviticus 1:17

And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, [but] shall not divide [it] asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that [is] upon the fire: it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.