Deuteronomy 27 4

Deuteronomy 27:4 kjv

Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster.

Deuteronomy 27:4 nkjv

Therefore it shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that on Mount Ebal you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, and you shall whitewash them with lime.

Deuteronomy 27:4 niv

And when you have crossed the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with plaster.

Deuteronomy 27:4 esv

And when you have crossed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, concerning which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster.

Deuteronomy 27:4 nlt

When you cross the Jordan, set up these stones at Mount Ebal and coat them with plaster, as I am commanding you today.

Deuteronomy 27 verses

Deuteronomy 27 4 Meaning

Deuteronomy 27:4 instructs the Israelites that immediately upon crossing the Jordan River into the promised land, they are to set up large, unhewn stones on Mount Ebal. These stones, specifically commanded by God through Moses on that very day, were to be covered with lime plaster to prepare them for the clear inscription of "all the words of this law." This act was a foundational covenant renewal ceremony, visually and publicly declaring God's law and Israel's commitment to it at the very outset of their possession of the land.

Deuteronomy 27 4 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 27 marks a critical transition point in Moses's addresses to Israel before his death and their entry into Canaan. Following his final extensive speeches (Deut 1-26) detailing the Law and its implications, Moses (alongside the elders) issues a direct command concerning a significant ceremonial act. This ceremony is to take place immediately upon crossing the Jordan, signifying the covenant's establishment in their new homeland. The chapter proceeds to outline the curses (Deut 27:11-26) to be declared on Mount Ebal, with blessings (Deut 28:1-14) being declared from Mount Gerizim. This foundational act in verse 4 is the setting for the declaration of covenant stipulations, warnings, and promises, making it a monumental act of covenant renewal and commitment as Israel takes possession of their promised inheritance.

Deuteronomy 27 4 Word analysis

• Therefore: Connects this command to the preceding discourse of Moses. It signifies a direct consequence or the next necessary step based on God's covenant and their impending entry into the Promised Land.

• it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan: Specifies the timing precisely—it is an immediate and foundational act upon entering Canaan.

  • Jordan (יַרְדֵּן - Yarden): The geographical boundary separating the wilderness from the Promised Land. Crossing it symbolizes a transition from a nomadic past to a new, settled covenant life, emphasizing a fresh start under God's continued guidance and law.

• that ye shall set up:

  • set up (הֵקִימוּ - heqimu): From the root קוּם (qum), meaning "to rise," "to stand," "to establish," or "to confirm." It denotes a public, visible, and enduring act. Not merely temporary placement, but firm establishment.

• these stones: Refers to large, probably unhewn, natural stones (as specified in Deut 27:6 for the altar) suitable for receiving an inscription. These were not carved idols but functional memorials. The use of natural stones avoids any association with human-made, ornate pagan cult objects, emphasizing God's command.

• which I command you this day: Highlights the divine authority and immediate relevance of the command. Moses is directly conveying God's will. It reinforces the covenant's seriousness and the people's responsibility.

• in mount Ebal: The specific location. Ebal is rugged and barren, contrasting with the fertile Gerizim. Deuteronomy 11:29 explicitly designates Ebal as the mountain for curses, while Gerizim is for blessings. Placing the inscription of the Law on Ebal, even though the blessings would be called out from Gerizim, is deeply significant. It may signify that while the Law itself is holy, its violation inherently brings the curse, serving as a constant warning. It might also reflect the gravity and solemnity of their covenant commitment, underscoring the severe consequences of disobedience. The Law reveals humanity's sin and inability to perfectly fulfill God's standard, thereby pointing to the need for atonement and divine grace.

• and thou shalt plaster them with plaster:

  • plaster (שִׂיד - sid): Refers to lime or gypsum plaster.
  • plaster them with plaster (תָּשִׂיד אֹתָם בַּשִּׂיד - tashid otam ba-sid): A precise instruction. The act of plastering made the rough stones smooth, creating a bright, white, highly visible surface ideal for writing. This ensured the inscription of the Law ("all the words of this law" from Deut 27:8) would be clear, legible, public, and enduring, not hidden or obscure. It also likely made the "writing" itself prominent and perhaps even glow in the sunlight, acting as a beacon and a perpetual reminder of God's covenant requirements.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "when ye be gone over Jordan... in mount Ebal": This precise geographical and temporal instruction emphasizes that the establishment of God's law is fundamental to their identity and dwelling in the land from the very beginning. It highlights their new life is entirely governed by His statutes.
  • "set up these stones... and thou shalt plaster them with plaster": These actions denote permanence, visibility, and a public proclamation. The plastered stones served as a grand monument, making the Law unmistakably evident to all, ensuring its commands were accessible and unmissable by the current generation and future generations. It underscores the importance of the divine word being clearly laid out.

Deuteronomy 27 4 Bonus section

The massive scale suggested by the inscription of "all the words of this law" (Deut 27:8) on these plastered stones implies an incredibly large and prominent monument. Such a visible display, especially positioned on a significant mountain like Ebal, would have served multiple functions: as a national charter, a legal document for public review, and a physical sign of the covenant between God and His people. It symbolized that their identity, governance, and very right to the land were founded upon and dictated by the divine Law. This public, enduring inscription sharply contrasted with ephemeral human traditions or secret cultic rites common in the ancient world, affirming the transcendent and knowable nature of the Lord's commands.

Deuteronomy 27 4 Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:4 is not just a practical instruction but a profound theological statement. It commanded a dramatic, highly visible act of covenant renewal upon Israel's entry into their inheritance. By erecting these plastered stones on Mount Ebal, a place associated with the pronouncement of curses, the Law was presented not merely as a set of rules but as a binding covenant, a standard of righteousness which, if not met, would bring grave consequences. The purpose of plastering was for clarity and permanence; the Law was not to be a secret doctrine but a public testament to God's will and their responsibilities. This monument stood as a constant witness to Israel of God's perfect expectations and their commitment to His ways, serving as a stark reminder that their possession and prosperity in the land were utterly dependent upon their obedience to His clearly declared statutes. This ceremonial act also foreshadowed the New Covenant, where the Law would be written on hearts, indicating an internal transformation that the external law could not fully achieve.