ScriptureDepth's study of Deuteronomy 27
‘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.’
Deuteronomy 27:15
Moses speaks to the people of Israel, declaring the curse on idol makers, a command that reinforces their commitment to Yahweh's law and their covenant relationship.
What Deuteronomy 27 is about
Moses and the elders of Israel instruct the people to keep all the commandments given to them (vv. 1-3). They are to set up great stones on the day they cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The stones will be coated with plaster, and they will write the words of the law on them. They are also commanded to build an altar to Yahweh on Mount Ebal using uncut stones, without iron tools (vv. 4-8). Moses commands the people to listen, as they have become the people of Yahweh, and they must obey His commandments (vv. 9-10). Moses then instructs which tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people and which will stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses (vv. 11-13). The Levites declare specific curses that will fall on those who commit various wrongs, and the people respond with 'Amen' to each curse (vv. 14-26).
The chapter states that those who do not uphold the words of this law will be cursed.
Deuteronomy 27 at a glance
- Deuteronomy 27:1–3Instructions for Covenant Renewal
- Deuteronomy 27:4–8Setting Up the Altar
- Deuteronomy 27:9–10Proclaiming the Covenant
- Deuteronomy 27:11–13Blessings and Curses Defined
- Deuteronomy 27:14–26The Curses Declared
Key verse: Deuteronomy 27:15
One thing to notice
In verses 1-3, Moses commands the people to keep the commandments and sets a clear context for entering the promised land. The phrase 'a land flowing with milk and honey' is repeated from earlier in the Torah, reminding the Israelites of the abundance awaiting them if they obey the law.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Deuteronomy 27 (WEB)
Instructions for Covenant Renewal Deuteronomy 27:1–3
1Verse 1. Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commandment which I command you today. 2Verse 2. It 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. 3Verse 3. You 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.
Setting Up the Altar Deuteronomy 27:4–8
4Verse 4. It 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. 5Verse 5. There you shall build an altar to Yahweh your God, an altar of stones. You shall not use any iron tool on them. 6Verse 6. You shall build Yahweh your God’s altar of uncut stones. You shall offer burnt offerings on it to Yahweh your God. 7Verse 7. You shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there. You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God. 8Verse 8. You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”
Proclaiming the Covenant Deuteronomy 27:9–10
9Verse 9. Moses 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. 10Verse 10. You shall therefore obey Yahweh your God’s voice, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today.”
Blessings and Curses Defined Deuteronomy 27:11–13
11Verse 11. Moses commanded the people the same day, saying, 12Verse 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. 13Verse 13. These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
The Curses Declared Deuteronomy 27:14–26
14Verse 14. With a loud voice, the Levites shall say to all the men of Israel,15Verse 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.’16Verse 16. ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’17Verse 17. ‘Cursed is he who removes his neighbor’s landmark.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’18Verse 18. ‘Cursed is he who leads the blind astray on the road.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’19Verse 19. ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’20Verse 20. ‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’21Verse 21. ‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’22Verse 22. ‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’23Verse 23. ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’24Verse 24. ‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’25Verse 25. ‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’26Verse 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)
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Main themes in Deuteronomy 27
covenant faithfulness
In Deuteronomy 27, covenant faithfulness is articulated through commands given to Israel. In verses 1-3, Moses instructs the people to 'Keep all the commandment' and write 'all the words of this law' on stones after crossing the Jordan. This act marks the establishment of the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, prompting the people to commit to obedience as they enter the promised land.
blessing and curses
Blessings and curses are defined in verses 11-26. The people are divided between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, where blessings and curses are pronounced. Specifically, verses 12-13 designate the tribes that will proclaim blessings and curses, with the Levites calling out curses such as 'Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image' (verse 15). This structure calls the community to accountability regarding their adherence to the law.
worship and sacrifice
Worship and sacrifice are foundational in vv. 4-7, where Moses commands the building of an altar on Mount Ebal. The altar is to be made of uncut stones, and offerings are to be made there, specifically burnt offerings and peace offerings. This provides a physical manifestation of worship, reinforcing the sacredness of relationship with Yahweh through acts of devotion.
community accountability
Community accountability is pronounced throughout the curses listed in vv. 14-26. Each curse is affirmed by the collective response of the people saying 'Amen,' which signifies their agreement and accountability to the law. For instance, in v. 19, the curse against withholding justice from vulnerable groups is a call for the community to uphold ethical standards, reinforcing the shared responsibility among the people.
Chapter outline
How Deuteronomy 27 unfolds
Deuteronomy 27:1–3 Instructions for Covenant Renewal
Moses and the elders command the Israelites to 'Keep all the commandment which I command you today' (v. 1). They instruct them to 'set yourself up great stones' and write the law on them when they enter the promised land (vv. 2-3).
Deuteronomy 27:4–8 Setting Up the Altar
The Israelites are commanded to set up stones on Mount Ebal and coat them with plaster (v. 4). They are to build an altar from uncut stones and offer burnt and peace offerings there (vv. 5-7).
Deuteronomy 27:9–10 Proclaiming the Covenant
Moses, alongside the priests, calls for Israel's attention, announcing their identity as Yahweh's people (v. 9). They are commanded to obey Yahweh’s voice and follow His commandments and statutes (v. 10).
Deuteronomy 27:11–13 Blessings and Curses Defined
Moses commands that 'These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people' (v. 12) and 'These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse' (v. 13), designating specific tribes for each mountain.
Deuteronomy 27:14–26 The Curses Declared
The Levites proclaim various curses against specific sins, saying 'Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image' (v. 15) and others, with all the people responding 'Amen' to each curse (vv. 14-26).
Key verses
Deuteronomy 27:15Moses speaks to the people of Israel, declaring the curse on idol makers, a command that reinforces their commitment to Yahweh's law and their covenant relationship.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Deuteronomy 27
- observeIn v4, what specific instructions does Moses give about the stones on Mount Ebal?
- observeWhat do the Levites announce in v15 about those who make an engraved image?
- interpretThe commands in v10 about obeying God's voice: how does this relate to Israel's covenant identity?
- interpretThe curses listed in vv. 15-26: what implications do they have for the community's moral standards?
- applyWhen have you felt the need to uphold a commitment like the people do in v10?
For Bible groups
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Deuteronomy 27
- Galatians 3Deuteronomy 27:26 and Galatians 3:10Both affirm a curse for failing to uphold the law: Deuteronomy 27:26 says, ‘Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them,’ while Galatians 3:10 echoes this.
- Leviticus 20Deuteronomy 27:16 and Leviticus 20:9Both connect dishonoring parents with a curse: Deuteronomy 27:16 states, ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother,’ while Leviticus 20:9 outlines the consequence.
- Leviticus 19Deuteronomy 27:19 and Leviticus 19:15Both address justice for the marginalized: Deuteronomy 27:19 says, ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner,’ while Leviticus 19:15 commands just judgment.
- Exodus 20Deuteronomy 27:15 and Exodus 20:4Both prohibit idolatry: Deuteronomy 27:15 states, ‘Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image,’ while Exodus 20:4 forbids making images.
- Joshua 8Deuteronomy 27:5 and Joshua 8:31Both describe altar construction from uncut stones: Deuteronomy 27:5 instructs to build an altar of stones, while Joshua 8:31 confirms this command.
- Leviticus 18Deuteronomy 27:20 and Leviticus 18:8Both prohibit sexual relations with a father’s wife: Deuteronomy 27:20 states, ‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife,’ while Leviticus 18:8 forbids uncovering that nakedness.
Related chapters
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Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Deuteronomy: the whole bookOn the plains of Moab, with the Jordan in view and his own death days away, Moses preaches.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 68Day 68 of 365: Deuteronomy 24–27.
- LoveWhat the Bible says about love, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
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