Deuteronomy 27:14 kjv
And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
Deuteronomy 27:14 nkjv
"And the Levites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Israel:
Deuteronomy 27:14 niv
The Levites shall recite to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:
Deuteronomy 27:14 esv
And the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:
Deuteronomy 27:14 nlt
"Then the Levites will shout to all the people of Israel:
Deuteronomy 27 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:6-8 | "Bring the tribe of Levi near...to minister to him..." | Levites' priestly/service role |
| Num 8:24-26 | "This is what pertains to the Levites..." | Levites' duty in service |
| Neh 8:7-8 | "The Levites...helped the people to understand the Law..." | Levites as teachers/interpreters of Law |
| Mal 2:7 | "For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth..." | Priests' role in teaching the Law |
| Deut 11:26-28 | "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse..." | Foundation of blessings and curses |
| Deut 28:15 | "But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God...all these curses shall come upon you..." | Detailed account of curses for disobedience |
| Deut 29:20-21 | "The Lord will not be willing to forgive him...all the curses of the covenant..." | Covenant curses as serious consequences |
| Josh 8:33-35 | "And all Israel...stood on opposite sides of the ark...with the priests, the Levites...as it is written in the Book of the Law." | Enactment of Deut 27 ceremony |
| Neh 9:3 | "They stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law..." | Public reading of the Law and covenant |
| Jer 11:3-4 | "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: 'Cursed be the man who does not obey the words of this covenant...'" | Covenant warnings re-stated through prophets |
| Jer 17:19 | "Go and stand in the gate...and say to them: 'Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah and all Judah...'" | Public prophetic declaration |
| Jon 3:4 | "Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey, and he called out, 'Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!'" | Clear, loud public proclamation of judgment |
| Isa 58:1 | "Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet..." | Emphatic, loud proclamation of truth |
| Acts 2:14 | "But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them..." | Public declaration of New Covenant truth |
| 1 Cor 14:8-9 | "For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?...unless you utter intelligible speech..." | Clarity in communication of truth |
| Gal 3:10 | "For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse..." | NT perspective on the Law's curse |
| Heb 12:18-24 | Contrast between Sinai (Law) and Mount Zion (Grace) | Acknowledgment of Mosaic Covenant and its terms |
| Jas 1:22-25 | "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." | Hearing the word requires action |
| Matt 3:3 | "A voice crying in the wilderness..." | Preparation for a solemn message |
| Luke 11:28 | "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" | Blessing linked to hearing and obedience |
Deuteronomy 27 verses
Deuteronomy 27 14 Meaning
Deuteronomy 27:14 serves as an introductory declaration for the series of curses that follow in the chapter. It establishes the authoritative role of the Levites in solemnly proclaiming these covenant curses to the entire assembly of Israel. This proclamation was to be done loudly, ensuring every person present could hear and understand the gravity of God's law and the consequences of disobedience, as Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land and commit to their covenant with the Lord.
Deuteronomy 27 14 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 27 describes a significant ceremony to be performed once Israel entered the land of Canaan. This ceremony, involving the erection of stone monuments inscribed with the law on Mount Ebal, and the formal pronouncement of blessings and curses, served as a foundational covenant renewal ritual. Verses 1-8 establish the physical setting and the construction of an altar and inscribed stones. Verses 9-13 designate specific tribes to stand on Mount Gerizim for blessings and others on Mount Ebal for curses. Verse 14 initiates the Levites' central role in articulating these curses. This solemn event was to instill a deep awareness of God's covenant expectations and the dire consequences of transgressing His commands, providing a moral and spiritual cornerstone for the nation's life in the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy 27 14 Word analysis
- And: This conjunction seamlessly links the Levites' role to the preceding instructions, indicating their declaration is an integral part of the grand covenant ceremony described in the chapter. It signifies continuity within God's directive.
- the Levites: הַלְוִיִּם (ha-Lewiyyim). Members of the tribe of Levi, specifically those designated for sacred service to the Lord. They were not allocated tribal land but were set apart to assist the priests (Aaronites), teach the Law, maintain the Tabernacle/Temple, and minister to the people regarding spiritual matters. Their role here underscores their authority and responsibility as keepers and interpreters of the covenant, ensuring accurate transmission of God's word.
- shall declare, and say: וְעָנוּ (ve-'anu) - "and they shall answer/respond/proclaim" and וְאָמְרוּ (ve'ameru) - "and they shall say." The use of two verbs, 'anah' (to answer/declare) and 'amar' (to say), suggests a deliberate, possibly liturgical, pronouncement. 'Anah' can imply a formal response or solemn declaration, pointing to the subsequent "Amen" by the people. 'Amar' is a general verb for speaking. Together, they emphasize both the active proclamation and the responsive nature of the ceremony that will unfold, highlighting the Levites as the formal conveyors of the divine message.
- to all the men of Israel: אֶל־כָּל־אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל (el kol-ish Yisra'el) - "to every man of Israel." This phrase stresses the comprehensive nature of the audience. The message was not for a select few or merely for the leaders, but for every single individual capable of hearing and comprehending. It signifies collective responsibility and accountability within the covenant community. No one was to be excused from hearing the covenant terms and their consequences.
- with a loud voice: בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל (be'qol gadol) - "with a great/loud voice." This denotes volume, clarity, and emphasis. It was imperative that the words penetrate the hearts and minds of all present. A loud voice conveyed the gravity and solemnity of the message, ensuring no one could claim ignorance. It speaks to the non-negotiable nature of God's commands and the seriousness of the covenant obligations.
Word Groups Analysis:
- The Levites shall declare, and say: This phrase underscores the Levites' unique and designated function as divine messengers. Their pronouncements were not personal opinions but authoritative declarations directly from God, given through them to the assembly. This set apart the message as holy and binding, indicating God's use of chosen human agents to mediate His word to His people.
- to all the men of Israel with a loud voice: This collective emphasis highlights the corporate nature of the covenant and the community's universal accountability. The loud, public declaration ensured that the covenant terms were heard and understood by every single member, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and collective fate based on their obedience or disobedience to the Lord.
Deuteronomy 27 14 Bonus section
- This verse sets the stage for the conditional nature of the Old Covenant: blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience, emphasizing God's justice and righteousness.
- The ritual of public declaration, followed by the people's "Amen" (as seen in the subsequent verses), served as a binding, reciprocal oath of covenant affirmation, akin to an ancient legal contract sworn before witnesses.
- The placement of this ceremony upon entering the land symbolized the need to establish God's law as the foundation of their new society and inheritance. It was not merely a memory, but an immediate and active commitment.
Deuteronomy 27 14 Commentary
Deuteronomy 27:14 lays the groundwork for a profound and sobering covenant ceremony, central to Israel's life as a nation under God. It highlights the indispensable role of the Levites, who were uniquely positioned within the community as divine spokesmen. Their charge was to articulate God's specific curses, not in a whisper, but "with a loud voice" and to "all the men of Israel," emphasizing both the solemnity of the occasion and the universal accountability of every Israelite. This was a communal act of reaffirmation, designed to embed the Law deep within the collective consciousness, reminding them of the sanctity of their covenant and the severe ramifications of disobedience as they embarked on their new life in the Promised Land. This solemn pronouncement served as a perpetual warning, stressing that true national well-being was inextricably linked to strict adherence to divine law. The Levites, by leading this powerful declaration, initiated a moment of truth for the nation, inviting a public acknowledgment of the covenant’s demands, thereby prefiguring a corporate response that acknowledges shared responsibility before God.