Deuteronomy 27:13

13 And these [tribes] will stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.[a]

Deuteronomy 27:13 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:13

And these shall stand upon Mount Ebal curse
Which was dry and rocky, barren and fruitful, and like the earth, that bears briers and thorns, is rejected and nigh unto cursing, and so a proper place to curse, and a fit emblem of those to be cursed; see ( Hebrews 6:8 ) ;

Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali;
four of these appointed for cursing were the children of the handmaids, Gad, Asher, Dan, and Naphtali; and since two were wanting, as Aben Ezra observes, and the sons of Leah were many, the oldest and the youngest were taken; Reuben, who had defiled his father's bed, and exposed himself to the curse of the law, and Zebulun, the last and youngest of Leah's sons; see ( Galatians 3:10 ) ( Galatians 4:24 Galatians 4:30 ) .

Deuteronomy 27:13 In-Context

11 On that day Moses commanded the people,
12 "When you have crossed the Jordan, these [tribes] will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
13 And these [tribes] will stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 The Levites will proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite:
15 'Cursed is the person who makes a carved idol or cast image, which is detestable to the Lord, the work of a craftsman, and sets [it] up in secret.' And all the people will reply, 'Amen!'

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Dt 11:29-30; Jos 8:33-35
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