Deuteronomy 27:6-16

6 (You must build the LORD your God's altar with uncut stones.) Then offer up on that altar entirely burned sacrifices to the LORD your God.
7 Offer up well-being sacrifices and eat them there, celebrating in the LORD your God's presence.
8 Make sure to write all the words of this Instruction on the stones plainly and clearly.
9 Then Moses and the levitical priests said to all Israel: Quiet down and listen, Israel! This very moment you have become the people of the LORD your God.
10 So obey the LORD your God's voice. Do his commandments and his regulations that I'm giving you right now.

Ceremony on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal

11 That same day Moses commanded the people:
12 Once you have crossed over the Jordan River, the following tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
13 And these are the tribes that will stand on Mount Ebal for the cursing: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 The Levites will address every individual Israelite with a loud voice:
15 "Cursed is anyone who makes an idol or an image—things detestable to the LORD, made by artisans—and sets it up secretly." All the people will reply: "We agree!"
16 "Cursed is anyone who belittles their father or mother." All the people will reply: "We agree!"

Deuteronomy 27:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 27

In this chapter the people of Israel are ordered to write the law on plastered stones, and set them on Mount Ebal, De 27:1-4; where they are bid to erect an altar, and offer sacrifices on it, De 27:5-8; and are charged by Moses and the priests to obey the Lord, and keep his commandments, De 27:9,10; and a direction is given to each tribes which should stand and bless, and which curse, and where, De 27:11-13; and the curses which the Levites should pronounce with a loud voice, and the people should say Amen to, are recited, De 27:14-25; and the whole is concluded with a curse on all who in general do not perform the whole law, De 27:26.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Heb Amen; also in the following verses
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible