Deuteronomy 27:12-22

12 "After you have crossed the Jordan, the following tribes are to stand on Mount Gerizim when the blessings are pronounced on the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. ¹

13 And the following tribes will stand on Mount Ebal when the curses are pronounced: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

14 The Levites will speak these words in a loud voice:

15 " "God's curse on anyone who makes an idol of stone, wood, or metal and secretly worships it; the Lord hates idolatry.' ² "And all the people will answer, "Amen!'

16 " "God's curse on anyone who dishonors his father or mother.' ³ "And all the people will answer, "Amen!'

17 " "God's curse on anyone who moves a neighbor's property line.' ⁴ "And all the people will answer, "Amen!'

18 " "God's curse on anyone who leads a blind person in the wrong direction.' ⁵ "And all the people will answer, "Amen!'

19 " "God's curse on anyone who deprives foreigners, orphans, and widows of their rights.' ⁶ "And all the people will answer, "Amen!'

20 " "God's curse on anyone who disgraces his father by having intercourse with any of his father's wives.' ⁷ "And all the people will answer, "Amen!'

21 " "God's curse on anyone who has sexual relations with an animal.' ⁸ "And all the people will answer, "Amen!'

22 " "God's curse on anyone who has intercourse with his sister or half sister.' ⁹ "And all the people will answer, "Amen!'

Deuteronomy 27:12-22 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. 27.12Deuteronomy 11.29;Joshua 8.33-35.
• 2. 27.15Exodus 20.4; 34.17;Leviticus 19.4; 26.1;Deuteronomy 4.15-18; 5.8.
• 3. 27.16Exodus 20.12;Deuteronomy 5.16.
• 4. 27.17Deuteronomy 19.14.
• 5. 27.18Leviticus 19.14.
• 6. 27.19Exodus 22.21; 23.9;Leviticus 19.33, 34;Deuteronomy 24.17, 18.
• 7. 27.20Leviticus 18.8; 20.11;Deuteronomy 22.30.
• 8. 27.21Exodus 22.19;Leviticus 18.23; 20.15.
• 9. 27.22Leviticus 18.9; 20.17.