Deuteronomy 27:2-12

2 "The day you cross the Jordan River and enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, set up some large stones and cover them with plaster.

3 The LORD God of your ancestors is giving you a land flowing with milk and honey, as he promised you. After you're in that land, write all the words of these teachings on the stones.

4 After you cross the Jordan River, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, and cover them with plaster, following the command I'm giving you today.

5 Build an altar of stones there dedicated to the LORD your God. Don't use an iron chisel on the stones.

6 You must use uncut stones to build the altar of the LORD your God. Sacrifice burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God.

7 Sacrifice fellowship offerings, eat them there, and enjoy yourselves in the presence of the LORD your God.

8 Write clearly and carefully all the words of these teachings on the stones you set up."

9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, "Be quiet and listen, Israel. Today you have become the people of the LORD your God.

10 Obey the LORD your God and follow his commands and laws which I'm giving you today."

11 That same day Moses gave the people this command:

12 After you cross the Jordan River, these are the tribes that will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.

Deuteronomy 27:2-12 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.