Deuteronomy 27 2

Deuteronomy 27:2 kjv

And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with plaster:

Deuteronomy 27:2 nkjv

And it shall be, on the day when you cross over the Jordan to the land which the LORD your God is giving you, that you shall set up for yourselves large stones, and whitewash them with lime.

Deuteronomy 27:2 niv

When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the LORD your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster.

Deuteronomy 27:2 esv

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.

Deuteronomy 27:2 nlt

When you cross the Jordan River and enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster.

Deuteronomy 27 verses

Deuteronomy 27 2 Meaning

Deuteronomy 27:2 instructs the Israelites to erect prominent, lime-coated stones immediately upon crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This act was to serve as a public, visible, and enduring memorial and a place where the foundational principles of God's law (specifically, a copy of the Torah as outlined in the subsequent verses) would be inscribed and displayed for all to see. It symbolized their public commitment to the covenant with the Lord who was granting them the land.

Deuteronomy 27 2 Context

Deuteronomy 27 marks a pivotal moment in the final addresses of Moses before the Israelites enter Canaan. Having traversed the wilderness for forty years, a new generation stands poised to inherit the Promised Land. This chapter details a solemn covenant renewal ceremony that was to take place immediately after crossing the Jordan. Moses commands the people to establish this public display of God's Law on Mount Ebal, emphasizing the critical link between possessing the land and upholding the covenant. Verse 2 initiates these instructions, specifying the materials and immediate action required, underscoring the urgency and foundational importance of God's Law for their future in the land. This ritual was not merely symbolic; it was a communal, public re-commitment to Yahweh's dominion and the ethical standards required of His people.

Historically, monument building and treaty inscription were common practices in the ancient Near East, solidifying agreements and declaring suzerainty. Israel's act, however, uniquely involved proclaiming God's Law—not merely a human king's decree—making the stones a tangible symbol of their divine constitution and their submission to the King of kings. This stands in contrast to the transient and idolatrous practices of the Canaanites they were about to displace, serving as a silent but potent polemic against the instability and false worship prevalent in the land.

Deuteronomy 27 2 Word analysis

• "And it shall be" (וְהָיָה - v'hayah): This phrase signals the unfolding of a future, yet certain, event. It imbues the subsequent command with divine authority and inevitability, emphasizing that this is a direct mandate from God, not a mere suggestion. It introduces a key moment in God's redemptive plan for Israel.

• "on the day" (בַּיּוֹם - ba-yom): Specifies immediate action. This was not a command to be fulfilled at some later, convenient time, but instantaneously upon the momentous crossing, highlighting the urgency and critical nature of acknowledging God's law as the foundation of their new life in the land.

• "when you pass over" (תַּעַבְרוּ - ta'avru): Refers to the physical act of crossing the Jordan River. This marks the transition from the wilderness journey into the promised inheritance. It symbolizes crossing from a probationary period to a permanent state of settlement under God's explicit governance. The "crossing" itself was a miraculous event, reinforcing divine intervention and promise fulfillment.

• "the Jordan" (הַיַּרְדֵּן - ha-Yarden): The geographic boundary separating the wilderness from Canaan. Its crossing was a climactic event, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness to lead His people into their inheritance, echoing the Red Sea crossing (Josh 3-4).

• "to the land" (אֶל הָאָרֶץ - el ha-aretz): Specifically, the Promised Land of Canaan. This destination is the culmination of generations of divine promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 12:7, 15:18, 28:13). It underscores that their dwelling place is a divine gift.

• "that the LORD your God is giving you" (אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ - asher YHWH Eloheykha noten lach): This crucial phrase emphasizes divine grace and proprietorship. The land is not conquered by their might, but given by the sovereign hand of YHWH (God's personal, covenant name) their Elohim (general term for God, emphasizing His power and divinity). The emphasis on "your God" highlights the exclusive and intimate covenant relationship.

• "you shall set up" (תָּקִים לָךְ - taqim lach): A strong command. The Hebrew verb qum means "to make stand, establish, erect." This signifies the establishment of a lasting monument, a visible declaration of their fealty and foundation in God's law.

• "large stones" (אֲבָנִים גְּדֹלוֹת - avanim gedolot): The size matters. "Large" indicates permanence, prominence, and sufficient surface area for inscription. These were not small markers but significant monuments, conveying the weighty importance and enduring nature of the Law to be written on them.

• "and whitewash them with lime" (וְשַׂדְתָּ אֹתָם בַּשִּׂיד - v'sadta otam ba-sid): Sid (lime, plaster) implies a smooth, bright coating. Whitewashing served both practical and symbolic purposes:

  • Practical: To create a smooth, prepared surface for legible inscription and to enhance visibility from a distance, ensuring the text of the Law was easily readable. It also protected the inscription, making it more enduring.
  • Symbolic: Lime-washing can symbolize purity, cleanliness, and dedication. In ancient Near Eastern rituals, objects often whitewashed or covered to signify sacredness or preparation for a holy purpose. This act would signify that the Law written thereon was pure, distinct, and consecrated.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "pass over the Jordan to the land that the LORD your God is giving you": This phrase beautifully encapsulates the fulfillment of generations of divine promise. It underscores that their possession of the land is entirely dependent on God's initiative and grace, and thus necessitates immediate and profound obedience. It's a statement of sovereign provision and expected covenant faithfulness.
  • "you shall set up large stones and whitewash them with lime": This detailed instruction emphasizes the public, permanent, and accessible nature of the forthcoming Law. It's not a secret text, but one for all to see, remember, and internalize. The act itself is a communal undertaking, reinforcing collective responsibility for adhering to God's commandments.

Deuteronomy 27 2 Bonus section

The command in Deuteronomy 27:2, along with subsequent verses detailing the inscription of the Law, directly confronts the polytheism and chaotic moral framework of the Canaanite societies. By establishing a clear, monumental inscription of Yahweh's Law at the entry point to their new land, Israel was making an unmistakable theological statement about whose land it truly was, and by whose authoritative standard it would be governed. This was a direct polemic against the Baal cults and other pagan legal systems, which were often unwritten or based on mutable human decrees and capricious deities. The whitewashed stones made God's holy, just, and unchangeable law undeniable.

This instruction also harkens back to ancient Near Eastern covenant practices, where significant treaties were often inscribed on stelae or pillars at borders or in prominent public spaces. By commanding Israel to do likewise, but with God's divine Law, Yahweh was positioning Himself as the ultimate Suzerain and the land as His domain. This reinforced the idea that their tenancy was conditional upon covenant fidelity, a significant difference from pagan concepts of land possession.

Deuteronomy 27 2 Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:2 is not a casual suggestion but a precise divine directive outlining the immediate post-crossing act for the new generation entering the Promised Land. This solemn ceremony, initiated by setting up the large, whitewashed stones, signified Israel's profound commitment to God's covenant as the bedrock of their national existence. The physical act of preparing the stones underscores the tangible nature of their responsibility.

The "large stones" represent permanence and prominence, serving as a lasting visual reminder of God's authority and Israel's duties. Their size ensures visibility for generations. The "whitewashing with lime" made the inscription visible and protected it, signifying the clarity and purity of God's Word, contrasting it with the obscurities and falsehoods of pagan religions. It ensures that the law is not hidden but openly proclaimed. This action was more than a mere ritual; it was a foundational declaration: their life in the land, indeed their very identity as a people, would be built upon the revealed word of Yahweh, their delivering God.

This act has a spiritual resonance for believers today. Just as Israel publicly established their allegiance to God's Word as they entered their inheritance, Christians are called to publicly affirm their faith (Rom 10:9-10). While the law is now written on hearts through the Holy Spirit (Jer 31:33), the need for visible and communal acknowledgment of God's commands and faithfulness remains crucial through ordinances like baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the corporate worship where His Word is proclaimed and upheld. It serves as a reminder that walking in God's promises demands continual commitment to His Word.