Deuteronomy 27:1-6

The Law Written on Stones

1 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, "Keep every command I am giving you today.

2 At the time you cross the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, you must set up large stones and cover them with plaster.

3 Write all the words of this law on the stones after you cross to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you.

4 When you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to cover them with plaster.

5 Build an altar of stones there to the Lord your God-you must not use any iron tool on them.

6 Use uncut stones to build the altar of the Lord your God and offer burnt offerings to the Lord your God on it.^[a]

Deuteronomy 27:1-6 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

• [a]. Ex 20:25