Deuteronomy 27 7

Deuteronomy 27:7 kjv

And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 27:7 nkjv

You shall offer peace offerings, and shall eat there, and rejoice before the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 27:7 niv

Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 27:7 esv

and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 27:7 nlt

Also sacrifice peace offerings on it, and celebrate by feasting there before the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 27 verses

Deuteronomy 27 7 Meaning

Deuteronomy 27:7 instructs the Israelites to offer peace offerings to the LORD, partake in a communal meal from these sacrifices, and rejoice in the presence of God at the sacred altar established on Mount Ebal. This verse highlights the joyful, communal, and relational aspects of worship within the covenant, emphasizing fellowship and celebration with God following the establishment of His law.

Deuteronomy 27 7 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 27 details solemn instructions given by Moses to the Israelites concerning a significant covenant renewal ceremony to be performed immediately upon their entry into the Promised Land. This ceremony was to take place at the prominent peaks of Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. The chapter first commands the setting up of large stones plastered with the Law on Mount Ebal (vv. 2-4) and the building of an unhewn stone altar (vv. 5-6) for burnt offerings and peace offerings. Verse 7 specifically outlines the peace offerings and the joyous meal associated with them, forming a counterpoint to the later sections of the chapter which detail the curses for disobedience (vv. 15-26). Historically, this event was a pivotal moment for solidifying their covenant commitment before settling in Canaan, contrasting their holy worship with the practices of pagan nations.

Deuteronomy 27 7 Word analysis

• And you shall offer peace offerings:
  • "offer" (זָבַח, zavach): to slaughter, to sacrifice. Implies a ritual act of bringing a sacrifice.
  • "peace offerings" (שְׁלָמִים, shelamim): Plural of shelem, from the root shalom (שָׁלוֹם), meaning peace, completeness, welfare, wholeness. These were voluntary offerings, expressing thanks, fulfillment of a vow, or simply an act of fellowship. They symbolized reconciliation and fellowship between God and the offerer, where God, priests, and the worshiper shared in the meal.
• there: Refers specifically to the altar built on Mount Ebal (Dt 27:5-6), highlighting the designated holy place for worship and covenant activities.
• and eat there:
  • "eat" (אָכַל, achál): To consume food. A central part of the shelamim, signifying communion. Unlike other sacrifices where much was consumed by fire or priests, a significant portion of the peace offering was to be eaten by the offerer and their family, demonstrating shared life and divine provision. This act transformed sacrifice into a communal meal with God as the host.
• and rejoice before the LORD your God:
  • "rejoice" (שָׂמַח, samach): To be joyful, glad, cheerful. This indicates an internal state of deep gladness that is outwardly expressed. Worship of Yahweh was meant to be a joyful, not just a somber or duty-bound, affair. This joy flowed from the awareness of God's presence, His goodness, and the security of His covenant.
  • "before the LORD your God": This phrase signifies being in God's immediate presence, under His direct observation and approval. It emphasizes that the worship, the eating, and the rejoicing are not arbitrary acts but are directed towards God and consecrated by His holy presence. It underscores the covenantal relationship and divine proprietorship over Israel.

Deuteronomy 27 7 Bonus section

The specific location of Mount Ebal for this altar, although often associated with curses (Dt 27:13), shows that even at the site of potential judgment for disobedience, God provided a means for grace, fellowship, and joy. This dual emphasis indicates that despite the stern warnings of the Law, the foundational desire of God was for a joyous, peace-filled relationship with His people, enabled through sacrificial atonement. This foreshadows how the ultimate "peace offering," Jesus Christ, secures our peace and joy in God's presence, transforming the very place of judgment (the cross) into the source of our eternal communion and delight. This command also highlights the significant contrast with surrounding pagan religions, which often emphasized fear, dread, and appeasement, whereas Israel's worship, properly practiced, brought joy and feasting with a benevolent God.

Deuteronomy 27 7 Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:7 serves as a vital balance within a chapter largely devoted to covenant curses. After detailing the construction of a holy altar and the inscription of the Law, God commands a joyous feast, counteracting any perception of Him as solely a harsh Lawgiver. The "peace offerings" represent the established reconciliation and fellowship between God and His people, enabling them to approach Him not with fear alone, but with gladness. The command to "eat there" transforms the ritual act into a tangible communal experience, where God is depicted as hosting a feast with His people, signifying intimate relationship, shared life, and divine provision. "Rejoicing before the LORD your God" underscores that true worship is vibrant and overflowing with joy, arising from the secure relationship Israel had with their covenant Lord. This verse demonstrates that divine law, sacrifice, and joyful communal fellowship are intrinsically linked in authentic worship.