Deuteronomy 27

King James Version

Full text for Deuteronomy Chapter 27

1¶ And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.

2And 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 plaister them with plaister:

3And 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.

4Therefore 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 plaister them with plaister.

5And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up [any] iron [tool] upon them.

6Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:

7And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.

8And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

9And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.

10Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

11¶ And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,

12These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:

13And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

14And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

15Cursed [be] the man that maketh [any] graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth [it] in [a] secret [place]. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

16Cursed [be] he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

17Cursed [be] he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

18Cursed [be] he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.

19Cursed [be] he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

20Cursed [be] he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

21Cursed [be] he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.

22Cursed [be] he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

23Cursed [be] he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.

24Cursed [be] he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.

25Cursed [be] he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.

26Cursed [be] he that confirmeth not [all] the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Deuteronomy 27 outlines Moses' commands for Israel upon entering Canaan, instructing them to set up great plastered stones on Mount Ebal to inscribe the law, and to build an unhewn altar for offerings. It then details a solemn ceremony where six tribes stand on Mount Gerizim for blessings and six on Mount Ebal for curses. The Levites pronounce twelve specific curses against various transgressions, to which all the people are to respond with a resounding "Amen."

Medium Summary

Moses, with the elders, instructs the Israelites to erect large, plastered stones on Mount Ebal immediately after crossing the Jordan into the promised land, upon which they are to plainly inscribe the entire law. Adjacent to these stones, an altar of whole, unhewn stones is to be built for burnt and peace offerings to the Lord. This act signifies Israel's commitment to the covenant as they become the people of the Lord. Furthermore, Moses designates specific tribes to stand on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings and others on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses. The Levites are to loudly declare twelve distinct curses covering a range of offenses, including idolatry, disrespect for parents, various forms of injustice, and sexual sins. Each curse is to be affirmed by the entire assembly with a collective "Amen," publicly acknowledging the consequences of disobedience to God's commandments.

Long Summary

Deuteronomy 27 begins with Moses and the elders of Israel commanding the people to diligently observe all the Lord's commandments upon their entry into the promised land. They are instructed to set up great plastered stones on Mount Ebal after crossing the Jordan, and to plainly inscribe all the words of the law upon them. This act serves as a permanent, visible record of the covenant in the land flowing with milk and honey. Alongside these inscribed stones, an altar of whole, unhewn stones is to be constructed on Mount Ebal, where burnt offerings and peace offerings are to be made, symbolizing atonement and communion with God. Moses and the Levitical priests then declare that Israel has become the people of the Lord, emphasizing their solemn obligation to obey His voice, commandments, and statutes. The chapter proceeds to detail a significant ceremony involving two mountains: six tribes—Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin—are to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people. Conversely, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali are to stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses. The Levites are specifically tasked with proclaiming twelve distinct curses with a loud voice to the entire assembly. These curses cover a broad spectrum of transgressions, including the making of graven images, dishonoring parents, removing a neighbor's landmark, misleading the blind, perverting justice for the vulnerable, various forms of incest and bestiality, secret assault, accepting bribes to slay the innocent, and ultimately, failing to confirm and uphold all the words of the law. After each curse is pronounced, the people are to respond with a collective "Amen," signifying their agreement and acceptance of the divine judgment associated with such disobedience, thereby solidifying their covenantal responsibilities.

Core Concepts

  • Inscribed StonesUpon entering Canaan, Israel is commanded to erect large, plastered stones on Mount Ebal and plainly write the entire law upon them, serving as a public and permanent declaration of God's commandments.
  • Unhewn Altar ConstructionAn altar of whole, unhewn stones is to be built on Mount Ebal for burnt and peace offerings, emphasizing purity and adherence to divine instruction in worship.
  • Covenantal IdentityMoses and the Levites declare that Israel has become the people of the Lord, highlighting their unique relationship and the solemn obligation to obey His statutes and commandments.
  • Mount Gerizim and Ebal CeremonyA prescribed ritual where specific tribes are divided between Mount Gerizim (for blessings) and Mount Ebal (for curses), establishing a public affirmation of the covenant's consequences.
  • The Twelve CursesA specific list of moral and religious transgressions, pronounced by the Levites, ranging from idolatry and disrespect for parents to various sexual sins, injustice, and secret violence, each requiring the people's affirmation.
  • Corporate "Amen"The people's collective response of "Amen" after each curse, signifying their solemn agreement to the pronouncements and their acceptance of the consequences of disobedience to God's law.
  • Upholding the LawThe final curse emphasizes the necessity of confirming and doing "all the words of this law," underscoring the comprehensive and binding nature of Israel's covenantal obligations.