Deuteronomy 27 3

Deuteronomy 27:3 kjv

And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.

Deuteronomy 27:3 nkjv

You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have crossed over, that you may enter the land which the LORD your God is giving you, 'a land flowing with milk and honey,' just as the LORD God of your fathers promised you.

Deuteronomy 27:3 niv

Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

Deuteronomy 27:3 esv

And you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you cross 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.

Deuteronomy 27:3 nlt

Write this whole body of instruction on them when you cross the river to enter the land the LORD your God is giving you ? a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

Deuteronomy 27 verses

Deuteronomy 27 3 Meaning

Deuteronomy 27:3 outlines a foundational command given to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It instructs them to inscribe the entirety of God's law on large stones, freshly plastered, immediately upon crossing the Jordan River. This public act would serve as a permanent record and reminder of their covenant obligations. The inscription was a prerequisite to dwelling in and experiencing the abundant blessings of the land, described as "flowing with milk and honey," a land freely given by the Lord their God in fulfillment of His ancient promises to their ancestors. The verse underscores God's faithfulness, Israel's responsibility, and the central role of divine instruction in their national life and prosperity.

Deuteronomy 27 3 Context

Deuteronomy 27 is set just before the Israelites' entry into the land of Canaan. Moses is delivering his final instructions and preparing the people for a formal covenant renewal ceremony to be performed once they cross the Jordan. This verse specifies one crucial element of that ceremony: the public inscription of "all the words of this law." This act, involving large, plastered stones on Mount Ebal (Deut 27:4), was to make God's expectations clear and unmissable. It emphasized that their claim to the land and its blessings was inextricably linked to their obedience to the covenant Law. The solemn nature of this command underscores the seriousness of their impending responsibilities in the new land and the lasting consequences of adherence or disobedience, highlighted by the subsequent commands for blessings and curses from Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal.

Deuteronomy 27 3 Word analysis

• And thou shalt write upon them:

  • Hebrew: וְכָתַבְתָּ֣ (ve·cha·tav·ta) - from כָּתַב (katav), meaning to write, inscribe, record.
  • Significance: This is a direct command. The act of writing makes the Law visible, public, and permanent. It signifies divine authority and the binding nature of the covenant. Unlike verbal commands that might fade, a written record serves as an enduring testimony and a standard against which all future actions could be judged. It implied careful copying and public display for all to see and heed.

• all the words:

  • Hebrew: אֶת־כָּל־דִּבְרֵי֙ (et-kol-divrei) - kol meaning all, entire; divrei from דָּבָר (davar), meaning word, matter, command, instruction.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the totality and comprehensiveness of the Law. It was not selective obedience but full adherence to every divine instruction that was required for Israel to flourish in the land. No part of God's revelation was to be omitted or disregarded.

• of this law:

  • Hebrew: הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת֙ (ha-Torah ha-zot) - Torah (תּוֹרָה) is divine instruction, teaching, or guidance, often encompassing the entire body of revealed will of God; ha-zot means "this."
  • Significance: Refers specifically to the covenant stipulations and teachings delivered through Moses. The Torah is not merely a set of rules but a divine guide for life, relationship with God, and ordering of society. Its inscription symbolized their acceptance of God's sovereignty over every aspect of their new national life.

• when thou art passed over:

  • Hebrew: בְּעָבְרְךָ֗ (be·‘ov·re·cha) - from עָבַר (avar), meaning to cross over, pass through.
  • Significance: Establishes a crucial temporal marker – the moment they physically enter the land. This underscores the immediate and foundational nature of the command; the Law was to be established at the very threshold of their new life. It connects the promise of the land directly to their initial and ongoing covenant obedience.

• that thou mayest go in unto the land:

  • Hebrew: לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר֙ תָּבֹ֣א אֶל־הָאָ֗רֶץ (le·ma·'an 'asher ta·vo el-ha·'a·retz) - lema'an asher for the purpose that; tavo (from בּוֹא, bo') meaning to come, enter; ha'aretz (הָאָרֶץ) meaning the land.
  • Significance: Reveals the purpose and consequence of obedience. The inscription and observance of the Law are not optional but essential for successful and righteous inhabitation of the land given by God. Entering the physical land implies living under God's righteous governance, established by the Law.

• which the Lord thy God giveth thee:

  • Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָ֖ךְ (asher Yahweh Eloheicha noten lach) - Yahweh Eloheicha (Lord your God) highlights the covenant God; noten (from נָתַן, natan) meaning to give.
  • Significance: Emphasizes divine sovereignty and grace. The land is not earned or conquered by Israel's strength, but a gift from their covenant-keeping God. This framing serves as a constant reminder that all their blessings are dependent on their relationship with the Giver of the land.

• a land flowing with milk and honey:

  • Hebrew: אֶ֖רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָֽב וּדְבַֽשׁ (e·retz za·vat cha·lav u·de·vash) - iconic descriptive phrase. Zavat (from זוּב, zoov) meaning to flow, trickle; chalav (חָלָב) is milk; devash (דְּבַשׁ) is honey (often wild date honey, not necessarily bee honey, though also includes bee honey).
  • Significance: This proverbial phrase depicts extreme fertility, abundance, and richness. It evokes a place of ease, prosperity, and plentiful provision, directly contrasted with the barren wilderness. It symbolizes divine blessing and represents the ultimate physical reward promised within the covenant framework.

• as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee:

  • Hebrew: כַּאֲשֶׁר֙ דִּבֶּר לָֽךְ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵֽי אֲבֹתֶֽיךָ (ka'asher dibber lach Yahweh Elohei avoteicha) - ka'asher dibber as He spoke/promised; avoteicha (אֲבֹתֶיךָ) your fathers/ancestors.
  • Significance: Connects this current generation's experience directly to the patriarchal covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It highlights God's unwavering faithfulness across generations and His determination to fulfill His ancient oaths, providing assurance and continuity of His benevolent plan for His people.

Deuteronomy 27 3 Bonus section

The specific method of "writing upon them" on plastered stones (as detailed in Deut 27:2, 4) served a didactic purpose beyond mere recording. The plaster (likely calcined lime) would create a smooth surface suitable for carving or painting, ensuring high visibility and public declaration. While external inscriptions are temporary, this physical act served as a communal pledge, reinforcing the covenant at a psychologically powerful moment. It provided an objective standard for the entire community and was intended to counteract the lure of pagan practices prevalent in Canaan, which relied on superstition and arbitrary deities. By publicizing "all the words," Israel was given a clear blueprint for righteousness, setting them apart as a distinct nation governed by divine wisdom, in contrast to nations led by human rulers and customs. The ceremonial placement on Mount Ebal, traditionally associated with curses, signifies that the Law was not just a pathway to blessing but also highlighted the severe consequences of disobedience if its commands were not honored.

Deuteronomy 27 3 Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:3 stands as a pivotal command at the threshold of Israel's new life in Canaan. The public inscription of the entire Law on large, plastered stones immediately upon entering the Promised Land underscored several profound truths. Firstly, it signified the Law's supreme authority and permanence as the foundation of their national identity and prosperity. The Law was not to be a hidden scroll but a public monument, a visible constitution for the nascent nation, emphasizing accountability and accessibility for all. Secondly, the act inextricably linked their possession and enjoyment of the abundant "land flowing with milk and honey" to their faithful adherence to God's covenant. This land was a gracious gift, not a right earned by conquest, and its blessings were contingent upon sustained obedience. Thirdly, by recalling "as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee," the verse firmly rooted Israel's present experience in the faithfulness of God's ancient, unconditional covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This act was a covenant renewal, where the current generation solemnly committed to the same divine terms that had secured their ancestors' promises. In essence, living well in God's provision meant living under God's clear, declared Word.

• Example for practical usage: Just as Israel was called to visibly write the Law, believers are called to engrave God's Word upon their hearts (Jer 31:33) and minds. The "land flowing with milk and honey" can metaphorically represent the abundant life, peace, and spiritual blessings found in walking in obedience to God through Christ (Jn 10:10). Our access to these spiritual blessings is tied to our embrace and application of God's truth.