Deuteronomy 27:8-18

8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law plainly and clearly.

9 And Moses and the priests of the race of Levi said to all Israel: Attend, and hear, O Israel: This day thou art made the people of the Lord thy God:

10 Thou shalt hear his voice, and do the commandments and justices which I command thee.

11 And Moses commanded the people in that day, saying:

12 These shall stand upon mount Garizim to bless the people, when you are passed the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Juda, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.

13 And over against them shall stand on mount Hebal to curse: Ruben, Gad, and Aser, and Zabulon, Dan, and Nephtali.

14 And the Levites shall pronounce, and say to all the men of Israel with a loud voice:

15 Cursed be the man that maketh a graven and molten thing, the abomination of the Lord, the work of the hands of artificers, and shall put it in a secret place: and all the people shall answer and say: Amen.

16 Cursed be he that honoureth not his father and mother: and all the people shall say: Amen.

17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmarks: and all the people shall say: Amen.

18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of his way: and all the people shall say: Amen.

Deuteronomy 27:8-18 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.