Deuteronomy 27:1-11

1 Now Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, "Keep all the commandment which I command you this day.

2 And on the day you pass over the Jordan to the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall set up large stones, and plaster them with plaster;

3 and you shall write upon them all the words of this law, when you pass over to enter 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 And when you have passed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, concerning which I command you this day, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster.

5 And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall lift up no iron tool upon them.

6 You shall build an altar to the LORD your God of unhewn stones; and you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God;

7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God.

8 And you shall write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly."

9 And Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, "Keep silence and hear, O Israel: this day you have become the people of the LORD your God.

10 You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you this day."

11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,

Deuteronomy 27:1-11 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.