Deuteronomy 27 meaning explained in AI Summary

Blessings and Curses

• Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim: The Israelites are divided between Mount Ebal (representing curses) and Mount Gerizim (representing blessings). Priests recite blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, driving home the importance of adhering to the covenant.
• Detailed Curses: The specific curses outlined are intended to serve as a stark warning, covering various aspects of life such as illness, famine, military defeat, and exile.
• Conditional Blessings: Obedience to God's commands is presented as the key to experiencing the promised blessings of prosperity, peace, and victory over enemies.

Deuteronomy 27 details the instructions Moses and the elders of Israel give to the people regarding what they should do after crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land.

of the chapter:

1. Building an Altar and Setting Up Stones:

• Upon entering the land, the Israelites are commanded to build an altar on Mount Ebal using uncut stones. (v. 1-8)
• They are to plaster the altar with plaster and offer burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. (v. 4-7)
• They are also to write the words of the law on large stones set up on the mountain. (v. 2-3, 8)

2. Public Proclamation of Blessings and Curses:

• The Israelites are to divide themselves, with six tribes standing on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings and six tribes on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses. (v. 11-13)
• The Levites are to lead the people in a loud proclamation of the curses for specific disobedient actions. (v. 14-26)

3. The Curses:

• The curses cover a wide range of transgressions, including:
  • Idolatry (v. 15)
  • Dishonoring parents (v. 16)
  • Moving a neighbor's boundary marker (v. 17)
  • Leading the blind astray (v. 18)
  • Perverting justice for the foreigner, orphan, or widow (v. 19)
  • Sexual immorality (v. 20-23)
  • Murder (v. 24)
  • Accepting bribes to kill the innocent (v. 25)
  • Disobeying the Law (v. 26)

Key Themes:

• Obedience and Covenant: The chapter emphasizes the importance of obeying God's law as part of their covenant relationship. The blessings and curses serve as powerful motivators for obedience.
• Justice and Righteousness: Many of the curses address social injustices, highlighting the importance of treating all people fairly and upholding righteousness within the community.
• Consequences of Sin: The chapter serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God's law has serious consequences.

Deuteronomy 27 sets the stage for the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land, emphasizing the importance of their commitment to God and his law. It serves as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and unrighteousness while highlighting the blessings that come with obedience.

Deuteronomy 27 bible study ai commentary

Deuteronomy 27 details the instructions for a solemn and dramatic covenant renewal ceremony to be performed once Israel enters the Promised Land. This event, centered on Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, is designed to make the law tangible and impress upon the nation the life-and-death consequences of their allegiance to Yahweh. By setting up inscribed stones, offering sacrifices on an altar built on the mountain of the curse, and having the people vocally assent ("Amen") to the curses against sin, the ceremony formalizes the covenant for the new generation, emphasizing corporate responsibility and the holiness God requires.

Deuteronomy 27 context

This chapter provides instructions for a future event. Israel is still on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, and Moses is delivering his final addresses. The command anticipates their arrival in Canaan. The structure of this ceremony closely mirrors Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) suzerain-vassal treaties. In these treaties, a great king (suzerain) would establish a covenant with a lesser king (vassal). The treaty would include stipulations, a requirement to deposit a copy in a sacred place, a list of witnesses (often gods), and a detailed list of blessings for loyalty and curses for rebellion. In this context, Yahweh is the Suzerain, and Israel is the vassal. The ceremony at Ebal and Gerizim is Israel’s formal ratification of this treaty with their divine King.

Deuteronomy 27:1-4

Now Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep the whole commandment that I command you today. And on the day you cross over the Jordan to the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall set up large stones and plaster them with plaster. And you shall 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, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you. And when you have crossed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster.

In-depth-analysis

• Moses and the elders: This shows a transfer of authority. Moses, who will not enter the land, establishes the command, and the elders, who will, are bound to execute it, ensuring continuity of leadership.
• Large stones: The command is for a permanent, prominent, and public monument. This is not a hidden text but a public declaration.
• Plaster them with plaster (Heb. sid): This refers to lime or gypsum plaster. Whitewashing the stones would create a smooth, bright white surface, making the black ink or paint used for the text stand out clearly for all to read. This was a common ANE practice for public inscriptions.
• Write... all the words of this law: This public display makes the covenant stipulations accessible to everyone, not just an elite group of priests. The law is the constitution of the nation. The specific "words" likely refer to the core legal and covenantal teachings of Deuteronomy.
• Mount Ebal: The specified location for the inscribed stones and the altar is the mountain from which the curses are pronounced. This powerfully associates the written law with the consequences of its violation.

Bible references

• Joshua 8:30-32: "Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD... on Mount Ebal... And he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses..." (The direct fulfillment of this command).
• Habakkuk 2:2: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it." (The principle of making God's word clear and public).
• Jeremiah 31:33: "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts." (A New Covenant contrast from law on external stone to internal hearts).

Cross references

Josh 4:1-9 (setting up memorial stones), Exod 24:4 (Moses writing the words of the covenant), Deut 1:5 (explaining the law), Deut 31:9 (the law entrusted to the priests).

Deuteronomy 27:5-7

And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You shall not wield any iron tool on them. You shall build an altar to the LORD your God of uncut stones. And you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God. And you shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God.

In-depth-analysis

• Altar of uncut stones: This directly follows the command in Exodus 20:25. The use of natural, un-hewn stones signifies that worship is to be offered to God in its pure form, without human artistry or embellishment, preventing the stones from being shaped into idolatrous images.
• Burnt offerings: These were offered for atonement for sin and signified total dedication to God, as the entire animal was consumed on the altar.
• Peace offerings: These were shared in a communal meal between the offeror, the priests, and God (symbolically), signifying peace, fellowship, and communion with God.
• Rejoice before the LORD: Strikingly, this command to rejoice occurs on Mount Ebal, the place of the curse. This demonstrates a profound theological point: even under the shadow of the law's curse, the way to God and joy is through sacrifice and atonement, which restores fellowship.

Bible references

• Exodus 20:25: "If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it." (The foundational law for this command).
• Joshua 8:31: "...as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, 'an altar of whole stones, on which no man has wielded an iron tool.'" (Fulfillment by Joshua).
• 1 Peter 2:5: "...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house..." (NT imagery echoing the theme of stones for God's purposes).

Cross references

Lev 1 (burnt offerings), Lev 3 & 7 (peace offerings), Deut 12:7 (the command to rejoice in God's presence).

Deuteronomy 27:8

And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

In-depth-analysis

• Very plainly (Heb. ba’er hetev): This phrase intensifies the command for clarity. It means to engrave or explain distinctly and clearly. The covenant must not be ambiguous or obscure. The expectation is that the common person can read and understand their obligations to God.

Bible references

• Deuteronomy 1:5: "Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to explain this law (ba’er)..." (Same Hebrew root used for Moses's own preaching).
• 2 Corinthians 3:12-14: "...not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face... But their minds were hardened." (Contrasts the clarity of the gospel with the veiled understanding of the law under the old covenant).

Deuteronomy 27:9-10

Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Keep silence and hear, O Israel: this day you have become the people of the LORD your God. You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today.”

In-depth-analysis

• Keep silence and hear: This is a call to solemn attention for a foundational moment.
• This day you have become the people...: This is a moment of formal national constitution and covenant renewal in the land. While they became God's people at Sinai (Exod 19:5-6), this ceremony solidifies that identity for the new generation entering the land. Their identity as "the people of the LORD" is directly tied to their obedience.

Bible references

• Deuteronomy 26:17-18: "You have declared today that the LORD is your God... and the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession..." (The preceding summary of the covenant agreement).
• 1 Peter 2:9-10: "But you are a chosen race... once you were not a people, but now you are God's people..." (Applies this covenant identity to the church).

Deuteronomy 27:11-14

That day Moses charged the people, saying, “These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. And these shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. And the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:

In-depth-analysis

• Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal: These two mountains face each other, forming a natural amphitheater in the valley of Shechem. Gerizim is traditionally seen as more fertile and verdant, while Ebal is more barren and rocky, providing a powerful physical metaphor for blessing (life, fruitfulness) and cursing (death, barrenness).
• Division of Tribes: The tribes on Gerizim (for blessing) are the sons of Jacob’s primary wives, Leah and Rachel. The tribes on Ebal (for the curse) include the sons of the concubines (Bilhah and Zilpah), along with Reuben (who was demoted for his sin with Bilhah, Gen 35:22) and Zebulun. This arrangement appears to reflect an internal family hierarchy.
• Levites: As covenant mediators, the Levites stand (likely in the valley between) and proclaim the curses to the entire nation. Their role highlights the seriousness and official nature of the pronouncements.

Polemics

The Samaritans, whose tradition is centered on Mount Gerizim, have a version of the Pentateuch (the Samaritan Pentateuch) that states the altar was to be built on Gerizim, not Ebal. However, the Jewish Masoretic text, the Septuagint, and archaeological findings point to Ebal. The controversial discovery of a late Bronze Age/Iron Age I altar-like structure on Mount Ebal by archaeologist Adam Zertal is seen by many as corroboration for the biblical account of Joshua's fulfillment of this command.

Deuteronomy 27:15

“‘Cursed be the man 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.’”

In-depth-analysis

• First Curse: Idolatry: The curses begin with the foundational sin of idolatry, a violation of the first and second commandments.
• In secret: This phrase is a key to understanding all the following curses. They focus on hidden sins that undermine the community from within, crimes that have no human witnesses but are seen by God.
• Amen (Heb. ‘amen): This is not a passive "so be it," but a formal, legal response. Each person, by saying "Amen," is personally agreeing to the terms of the covenant and calling the specified curse upon themselves should they commit the act. It is a self-maledictory oath.

Bible references

• Exodus 20:4-5: "You shall not make for yourself a carved image..." (The command this curse enforces).
• Isaiah 44:9-10: "All who fashion idols are nothing... Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing?" (Prophetic polemic against idolatry).
• 1 Corinthians 14:16: "...how will anyone... say ‘Amen’ to your thanksgiving...?" (Shows the use of "Amen" as an affirmation in NT worship).

Cross references

Lev 26:1 (idolatry forbidden), Hab 2:18-19 (the foolishness of idols), Rev 22:20 ("Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.").

Deuteronomy 27:16-25

“‘Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.’...‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor's landmark.’...‘Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road.’...‘Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’...‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his father's wife... with any animal... with his sister... with his mother-in-law.’...‘Cursed be anyone who strikes his neighbor down in secret.’...‘Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”

In-depth-analysis

This series of eleven specific curses functions as a representative list of sins that attack the core fabric of Israelite society. They are primarily focused on hidden actions that defy easy prosecution but are known to God.

• v. 16: Dishonoring parents. Undermines family, the basic unit of society (Exod 21:17).
• v. 17: Moving a landmark. An attack on God-given inheritance and property rights (Deut 19:14).
• v. 18: Misleading the blind. An example of exploiting the most vulnerable (Lev 19:14).
• v. 19: Perverting justice for the vulnerable. Attacks the judicial integrity of the nation and its care for the marginalized (Exod 22:21-22).
• vv. 20-23: Sexual sin. Forbidden relationships (incest, bestiality) that violate the sanctity of the family and natural order, as detailed in Leviticus 18 & 20.
• v. 24: Secret assault. Condemns hidden violence that evades human justice.
• v. 25: Judicial corruption. Curses bribery that leads to the death of the innocent, a grievous perversion of justice (Exod 23:8).

Deuteronomy 27:26

“‘Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”

In-depth-analysis

• This final curse is all-encompassing. It moves beyond the specific examples to include violation of any part of the law. It creates a universal standard that is impossible for sinful humans to meet perfectly.
• It serves as the theological foundation for the New Testament argument that all are under the curse of the law, because everyone fails to "confirm the words of this law by doing them" completely. It establishes the need for a savior.

Bible references

• Galatians 3:10: "For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’” (Paul's direct quotation of this verse to argue for justification by faith).
• James 2:10: "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it." (The principle that partial obedience is still disobedience).
• Romans 3:20: "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (The purpose of the law is to reveal sin and our inability to keep it).

Cross references

Jer 11:3 (a similar curse for not obeying the covenant).

Deuteronomy chapter 27 analysis

• Unspoken Blessings: The actual words of the blessings are conspicuously absent from this chapter's ceremony script (they appear in chapter 28). The immediate focus of the liturgical event on Ebal is on the curses and the "Amen." This narrative choice heavily underscores the gravity of sin and the seriousness of disobedience required for living in the holy land in the presence of a holy God.
• Archaeological Corroboration: Recent scholarly analysis of a small, folded-lead tablet, allegedly found in the discard pile from Adam Zertal's Mount Ebal excavation, claims to have found a proto-alphabetic Hebrew inscription. Dated to the Late Bronze Age II (c. 1200 BC), it reportedly reads: "Cursed, cursed, cursed—cursed by the God YHW. You will die cursed. Cursed you will surely die. Cursed by YHW—cursed, cursed, cursed." If validated, this "curse tablet" would be the oldest known Hebrew text mentioning God's name (YHW/Yahweh) and a direct, stunning parallel to the Ebal ceremony described in Deuteronomy 27.
• From Cursed Mountain to Redemption: There is profound gospel foreshadowing here. The law is written, the altar for atonement is built, and the declaration of the curse is all centered on Mount Ebal, the "mountain of cursing." This pictures humanity's condition: standing under the just curse of God's law. Galatians 3:13 completes the picture: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’” Jesus takes the curse of Ebal upon himself at Calvary to provide the blessings of Gerizim.

Deuteronomy 27 summary

Moses commands Israel to perform a covenant ratification ceremony upon entering Canaan. They are to inscribe the law on large, plastered stones on Mount Ebal, build an altar there for sacrifices, and position the twelve tribes on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. The Levites are to proclaim a series of twelve curses against specific hidden sins, with the entire nation responding "Amen" to each, thereby accepting the terms of the covenant and the consequences of disobedience. The chapter culminates in a universal curse upon anyone who fails to keep the entire law, setting the stage for the need for God's grace.