Deuteronomy 27:1-6

1 Moshe and the Zakenim of Yisra'el commanded the people, saying, Keep all the mitzvah which I command you this day.

2 It shall be on the day when you shall pass over the Yarden to the land which the LORD your God gives you, that you shall set yourself up great stones, and plaster them with plaster:

3 and you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you are passed over; that you may go in to the land which the LORD your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.

4 It shall be, when you are passed over the Yarden, that you shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in Mount `Eval, and you shall plaster them with plaster.

5 There shall you build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones: you shall lift up no iron [tool] on them.

6 You shall build the altar of the LORD your God of uncut stones; and you shall offer burnt offerings thereon to the LORD your God:

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.