Deuteronomy 27:1-10

1 Then Moses, together with the leaders of Israel, said to the people, "Obey all the instructions that I am giving you today.

2 On the day you cross the Jordan River and enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you are to set up some large stones, cover them with plaster, ¹

3 and write on them all these laws and teachings. When you have entered the rich and fertile land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you,

4 and you are on the other side of the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am instructing you today, and cover them with plaster.

5 Build an altar there made of stones that have had no iron tools used on them, ²

6 because any altar you build for the Lord your God must be made of uncut stones. There you are to offer the sacrifices that are to be burned,

7 and there you are to sacrifice and eat your fellowship offerings and be grateful in the presence of the Lord your God.

8 On the stones covered with plaster write clearly every word of God's laws."

9 Then Moses, together with the levitical priests, said to all the people of Israel, "Give me your attention, people of Israel, and listen to me. Today you have become the people of the Lord your God;

10 so obey him and keep all his laws that I am giving you today."

Deuteronomy 27:1-10 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.

Cross References

• 1. 27.2-8Joshua 8.30-32.
• 2. 27.5, 6Exodus 20.25.