Deuteronomy 27:8-18

8 You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

9 Moses and the priests the Levites spoke to all Israel, saying, Keep silence, and listen, Israel: this day you are become the people of Yahweh your God.

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

11 Moses charged the people the same day, saying,

12 These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you are passed over the Jordan: Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin.

13 These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

14 The Levites shall answer, and tell all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

15 Cursed be the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination to Yahweh, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret. All the people shall answer and say, Amen.

16 Cursed be he who sets light by his father or his mother. All the people shall say, Amen.

17 Cursed be he who removes his neighbor's landmark. All the people shall say, Amen.

18 Cursed be he who makes the blind to wander out of the way. 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.