Deuteronomy 27
Read Deuteronomy 27 (WEB)+
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.
Key Themes
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