1 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.
2 And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:
3 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, [that] ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.
5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up [any] iron [tool] upon them.
6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.
8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.
9 And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.
10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,
12 These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:
13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
15 Cursed [be] the man that maketh [any] graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth [it] in [a] secret [place]. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
16 Cursed [be] he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
17 Cursed [be] he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
18 Cursed [be] he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
19 Cursed [be] he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
20 Cursed [be] he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he uncovereth his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
21 Cursed [be] he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
22 Cursed [be] he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
23 Cursed [be] he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
24 Cursed [be] he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
25 Cursed [be] he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
26 Cursed [be] he that confirmeth not [all] the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Overview of Deuteronomy Chapter 27
Deuteronomy Chapter 27 outlines the instructions given to the Israelites regarding the establishment of a covenant with God, the importance of obedience, and the consequences of disobedience. This chapter serves as a pivotal moment in the Israelites’ journey as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
Key Themes
- Covenant and Commitment
- Obedience to God’s Law
- Consequences of Sin
- Public Declaration of God’s Commands
Instructions for the Covenant
The chapter begins with Moses commanding the Israelites to set up large stones on Mount Ebal, which are to be coated with plaster. This act symbolizes the establishment of a covenant between God and His people.
- The stones are to be inscribed with the words of the law.
- Offerings are to be made to God, including peace offerings.
Public Declaration of Blessings and Curses
Moses instructs the people to gather and publicly declare the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. This serves as a reminder of the consequences of their actions.
- Six tribes are to stand on Mount Gerizim to proclaim blessings.
- Six tribes are to stand on Mount Ebal to proclaim curses.
List of Curses
The chapter includes a detailed list of curses that will befall those who violate God’s commandments. These curses emphasize the seriousness of sin and the need for adherence to God’s laws.
- Cursed is the man who makes a carved or cast image.
- Cursed is the one who dishonors their father or mother.
- Cursed is the one who moves their neighbor’s boundary stone.
- Cursed is the one who leads the blind astray on the road.
- Cursed is the one who perverts justice for the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.
- Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with his father’s wife.
- Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with any animal.
- Cursed is the one who strikes down a neighbor in secret.
- Cursed is the one who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.
- Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.
Significance of the Chapter
Deuteronomy 27 serves several important purposes:
- It reinforces the concept of communal responsibility in upholding God’s laws.
- It highlights the importance of public acknowledgment of God’s commandments.
- It establishes a clear connection between obedience and the blessings of God.
- It serves as a warning against the consequences of sin and disobedience.
Conclusion
This chapter is a crucial component of the overall narrative of Deuteronomy, emphasizing the importance of fidelity to God’s covenant. The public declaration of blessings and curses serves to remind the Israelites of their obligations and the serious implications of their choices as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
