Deuteronomy 27
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1Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commandment which I command you today. 2It shall be on the day when you shall pass over the Jordan to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, that you shall set yourself up great stones, and coat them with plaster. 3You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over; that you may go in to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised you. 4It shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall coat them with plaster. 5There you shall build an altar to Yahweh your God, an altar of stones. You shall not use any iron tool on them. 6You shall build Yahweh your God’s altar of uncut stones. You shall offer burnt offerings on it to Yahweh your God. 7You shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there. You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God. 8You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.” 9Moses and the priests the Levites spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent, and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of Yahweh your God. 10You shall therefore obey Yahweh your God’s voice, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today.” 11Moses commanded the people the same day, saying, 12“These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14With a loud voice, the Levites shall say to all the men of Israel, 15‘Cursed is 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 is he who dishonors his father or his mother.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 17‘Cursed is he who removes his neighbor’s landmark.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 18‘Cursed is he who leads the blind astray on the road.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 19‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 20‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 21‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 22‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 23‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 24‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 25‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 26‘Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”
World English Bible (public domain)
““Cursed be anyone who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’””
Deuteronomy 27:15
Summary
In Deuteronomy chapter 27, Moses instructs the Israelites to celebrate their covenant with God by building an altar on Mount Ebal, where they are to offer sacrifices and worship. He emphasizes the significance of this altar as a symbol of their commitment to obey God's commandments. The chapter also introduces a series of curses that will fall upon those who transgress specific laws, underscoring the importance of fidelity to God's word. The Levites are called to proclaim these curses to the people, ensuring that they understand the consequences of disobedience, highlighting the seriousness of remaining in covenant relationship with God. This chapter captures the dual themes of blessing for obedience and cursing for disobedience, which resonate throughout the biblical narrative and serve as a reminder of the covenantal blessings and responsibilities the Israelites must uphold as they enter the Promised Land.
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Chapter outline
How Deuteronomy 27 unfolds
Deuteronomy 27:1–3 Instructions for Covenant Renewal
Moses and the elders command the Israelites to obey God's laws as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, emphasizing the need to write these laws on stones.
Deuteronomy 27:4–8 Setting Up the Altar
Upon crossing the Jordan, the Israelites are to construct an altar on Mount Ebal using uncut stones, where they will offer sacrifices and write the law.
Deuteronomy 27:9–10 Proclaiming the Covenant
Moses, alongside the priests, calls Israel to attention, affirming their identity as God's people and urging them to obey His commandments.
Deuteronomy 27:11–13 Blessings and Curses Defined
Moses outlines the roles of the tribes on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, designating blessings and curses that are to be proclaimed.
Deuteronomy 27:14–26 The Curses Declared
The Levites declare specific curses for various transgressions, with the people affirming each curse by responding 'Amen', highlighting accountability in the covenant.
Key verses
Deuteronomy 27:15Deuteronomy 27:15 encapsulates the seriousness of idolatry, reflecting the broader theme of covenant fidelity throughout the chapter.
Main themes in Deuteronomy 27
covenant faithfulness
Covenant faithfulness is emphasized in verses 1-10 as Moses instructs the Israelites to keep God's commandments. This theme develops through the call to write the law on stones, signifying a formal commitment. Within the chapter's larger movement, it highlights the relationship between obedience to God's law and their identity as His chosen people.
blessing and curses
The theme of blessing and curses surfaces prominently in verses 11-26, where specific blessings and curses are proclaimed based on obedience or disobedience. The chapter complicates this theme by providing detailed consequences for various actions, thus reinforcing the serious nature of the covenant. Overall, it illustrates the dual nature of God's promise to His people as they enter the land.
worship and sacrifice
Worship and sacrifice are central to verses 4-8, where the Israelites are instructed to build an altar and offer sacrifices on it. This theme is further developed through the communal aspect of worship, as the people are to rejoice together before God. It signifies the importance of worship as an expression of their covenant relationship with Yahweh.
community accountability
Community accountability is highlighted in verses 14-26, where the Levites declare curses and the people respond with 'Amen'. This interaction establishes a collective responsibility among the Israelites to uphold the law and its consequences. Within the chapter's larger context, it underscores the communal dimension of covenant faithfulness and the importance of mutual support in following God's commands.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Deuteronomy 27
- Galatians 3This passage connects as it discusses the curse of the law, echoing the consequences outlined in Deuteronomy.
- Leviticus 20Leviticus connects by providing further laws regarding holiness and consequences for disobedience, resonating with the curses listed here.
- Leviticus 19This passage echoes similar themes of ethical behavior, highlighting community responsibilities in the covenant.
- Joshua 8Joshua connects by illustrating the fulfillment of Moses' commands regarding blessings and curses as Israel enters the land.
- Exodus 20Exodus connects as it lays the foundation for the Ten Commandments, which are central to the law being affirmed in this chapter.
- Leviticus 18Leviticus echoes the prohibitions against immoral behavior, aligning with the specific curses pronounced in this chapter.
Study questions
Questions for studying Deuteronomy 27
- What instructions does Moses give regarding the stones and the altar?
- How do the blessings and curses relate to the covenant?
- What significance does the response of 'Amen' carry for the community?
- Which tribes are assigned to Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal?
- What are some specific behaviors that incur curses according to this chapter?
- How does this chapter emphasize the people's identity as God's people?
- What is the importance of writing the law on the stones?
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