Deuteronomy 27:2-8

2 "1So it shall be on the day when you cross the Jordan to the land which the LORD your God gives you, that you shall set up for yourself large stones and coat them with lime
3 and write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over, so that you may enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, 2a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
4 "So it shall be when you cross the Jordan, you shall set up 3on Mount Ebal, these stones, as I am commanding you today, and you shall coat them with lime.
5 "Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you 4shall not wield an iron tool on them.
6 "You shall build the altar of the LORD your God of uncut stones, and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to the LORD your God;
7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and eat there, and 5rejoice before the LORD your God.
8 "You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very distinctly."

Deuteronomy 27:2-8 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 5

  • 1. Joshua 8:30-32
  • 2. Deuteronomy 26:9
  • 3. Deuteronomy 11:29; Joshua 8:30
  • 4. Exodus 20:25; Joshua 8:31
  • 5. Deuteronomy 26:11

Footnotes 5

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