Deuteronomy 27
About DeuteronomyWritten by AI
Deuteronomy is mostly a set of farewell speeches. Moses stands with Israel on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan from the promised land, near the end of his life. He retells their story since Sinai, repeats and applies God's law for life in the land, and calls the new generation to renew the covenant. The book has long been credited to Moses, with the account of his death added by another hand. Many scholars think it reached its final form centuries later. Christians hold both views.
At its heart is a call to love God with everything: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.” Again and again Moses says remember, do not forget, and choose life.
Watch for God's care for the poor, the widow, the orphan and the foreigner, and for warnings that Israel will fail and promises that God will not. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy more than almost any other book.
Before you read Deuteronomy 27Written by AI
Once across the Jordan, Israel is to set up large stones on Mount Ebal, coat them with plaster and write the law on them, and build an altar. Six tribes stand on Mount Gerizim to bless and six on Ebal for the curses. The Levites call out twelve curses, and the people answer Amen to each.
The Altar on Mount Ebal
Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all the commandments I am giving you today.
And on the day you cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, set up large stones and coat them with plaster. Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you. And when you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to coat them with plaster.
Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them. You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God. There you are to sacrifice your peace offerings, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God. And you shall write distinctly upon these stones all the words of this law.”
Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel: “Be silent, O Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the LORD your God. You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God and follow His commandments and statutes I am giving you today.”
Curses Pronounced from Ebal
On that day Moses commanded the people: “When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
Then the Levites shall proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite:
‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’
And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’