Note: Words are shown in their original Hebrew order, which differs from English translations. This reflects the emphasis and structure of Scripture as originally written. Click any word to see its full lexicon entry.
1Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all the commandments I am giving you today.
3Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you.
4And when you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to coat them with plaster.
12“When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
15‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Deuteronomy 27 presents a solemn covenant renewal ceremony that Israel is to perform upon entering the Promised Land. Moses commands the people to inscribe the law upon stones and to conduct a formal liturgy of blessing and cursing on two mountains—Gerizim and Ebal. This chapter emphasizes that obedience to God's commandments is not optional; it carries both blessing and curse, and Israel must publicly commit to covenant faithfulness before entering their inheritance.
Moses, together with Israel's elders, commands the people to keep all the commandments he has given them (v. 1). Upon crossing the Jordan, they are to erect large stones and plaster them, then inscribe upon them "all the words of this law" (vv. 2–3). This inscription is to be made at Mount Ebal (v. 4), serving as a permanent, public monument to God's covenant requirements. The purpose is clear: that Israel might remember and be reminded of their covenantal obligations in the land God is giving them.
Application: This practice of writing God's law on stone reflects the importance of making Scripture visible and central in community life. While we do not build literal stone monuments today, the principle remains: God's Word should be prominently displayed in our homes, churches, and hearts as a constant reminder of our commitment to obey Him.
The people are instructed to build an altar at Mount Ebal using unhewn stones—iron tools are forbidden (v. 5), emphasizing the altar's purity and separation from human craftsmanship. On this altar they are to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings, then rejoice before the Lord (vv. 6–7). The law is also to be written "very plainly" upon the stones (v. 8), ensuring clarity and accessibility. This combination of sacrifice, celebration, and instruction demonstrates that covenant renewal involved both atonement and joyful commitment.
Application: Our worship should include both reverence for God's holiness and genuine celebration of His grace. When we gather to hear and obey God's Word, we participate in covenant renewal, acknowledging both our need for atonement and our privilege of belonging to the Lord.
The Levites and Moses address Israel with a profound declaration: "This day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God" (v. 9). Israel must therefore obey His voice and keep His commandments (v. 10). The ceremony is structured with twelve tribes divided between two mountains: six tribes—Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin—stand on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings (v. 12), while six tribes—Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali—stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses (v. 13).
Application: This division reminds us that every choice has consequences. Obedience leads to blessing; disobedience to curse. We too must understand that our covenant relationship with God through Christ carries both privileges and responsibilities.
The Levites pronounce twelve specific curses covering idolatry (v. 15), dishonoring parents (v. 16), property theft (v. 17), causing harm to the vulnerable (vv. 18–19), sexual sin (vv. 20–23), murder (v. 24), bribery (v. 25), and ultimately, failure to uphold all the law's words (v. 26). After each curse, all the people respond with "Amen," formally accepting the covenant's terms and acknowledging the consequences of violation.
Application: God's law exposes sin and calls us to holiness in every area—worship, family, justice, sexuality, and integrity. By saying "Amen" to God's standards, we align ourselves with His character and purposes.
Application for Today
Though we live under the grace of Christ rather than the Mosaic law, Deuteronomy 27 reminds us that covenant with God is serious and public. We are called to openly commit ourselves to Christ's lordship, to prioritize His Word in our communities, and to understand that obedience brings blessing while rebellion brings judgment. Let us affirm our allegiance to Jesus with genuine, whole-hearted devotion.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 27
5 sectionsDeuteronomy 27 presents a solemn covenant renewal ceremony that Israel is to perform upon entering the Promised Land. Moses commands the people to inscribe the law upon stones and to conduct a formal liturgy of blessing and cursing on two mountains—Gerizim and Ebal. This chapter emphasizes that obedience to God's commandments is not optional; it carries both blessing and curse, and Israel must publicly commit to covenant faithfulness before entering their inheritance.
Moses, together with Israel's elders, commands the people to keep all the commandments he has given them (v. 1). Upon crossing the Jordan, they are to erect large stones and plaster them, then inscribe upon them "all the words of this law" (vv. 2–3). This inscription is to be made at Mount Ebal (v. 4), serving as a permanent, public monument to God's covenant requirements. The purpose is clear: that Israel might remember and be reminded of their covenantal obligations in the land God is giving them.
Application: This practice of writing God's law on stone reflects the importance of making Scripture visible and central in community life. While we do not build literal stone monuments today, the principle remains: God's Word should be prominently displayed in our homes, churches, and hearts as a constant reminder of our commitment to obey Him.
The people are instructed to build an altar at Mount Ebal using unhewn stones—iron tools are forbidden (v. 5), emphasizing the altar's purity and separation from human craftsmanship. On this altar they are to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings, then rejoice before the Lord (vv. 6–7). The law is also to be written "very plainly" upon the stones (v. 8), ensuring clarity and accessibility. This combination of sacrifice, celebration, and instruction demonstrates that covenant renewal involved both atonement and joyful commitment.
Application: Our worship should include both reverence for God's holiness and genuine celebration of His grace. When we gather to hear and obey God's Word, we participate in covenant renewal, acknowledging both our need for atonement and our privilege of belonging to the Lord.
The Levites and Moses address Israel with a profound declaration: "This day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God" (v. 9). Israel must therefore obey His voice and keep His commandments (v. 10). The ceremony is structured with twelve tribes divided between two mountains: six tribes—Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin—stand on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings (v. 12), while six tribes—Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali—stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses (v. 13).
Application: This division reminds us that every choice has consequences. Obedience leads to blessing; disobedience to curse. We too must understand that our covenant relationship with God through Christ carries both privileges and responsibilities.
The Levites pronounce twelve specific curses covering idolatry (v. 15), dishonoring parents (v. 16), property theft (v. 17), causing harm to the vulnerable (vv. 18–19), sexual sin (vv. 20–23), murder (v. 24), bribery (v. 25), and ultimately, failure to uphold all the law's words (v. 26). After each curse, all the people respond with "Amen," formally accepting the covenant's terms and acknowledging the consequences of violation.
Application: God's law exposes sin and calls us to holiness in every area—worship, family, justice, sexuality, and integrity. By saying "Amen" to God's standards, we align ourselves with His character and purposes.
Though we live under the grace of Christ rather than the Mosaic law, Deuteronomy 27 reminds us that covenant with God is serious and public. We are called to openly commit ourselves to Christ's lordship, to prioritize His Word in our communities, and to understand that obedience brings blessing while rebellion brings judgment. Let us affirm our allegiance to Jesus with genuine, whole-hearted devotion.