Deuteronomy 27: The Law Written on Stones and Covenant Curses

Deuteronomy 27: The Law Written on Stones and Covenant Curses

Chapter With Audio

The Altar on Mount Ebal

27 Now Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep the whole commandment that I command you today. 2 And on the day you cross over the Jordan to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall set up large stones and plaster them with plaster. 3 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. 4 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. 5 And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them; 6 you shall build an altar to the Lord your God of uncut stones. And you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God, 7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God. 8 And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”

Curses from Mount Ebal

9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Keep silence and hear, O Israel: this day you have become the people of the Lord your God. 10 You shall therefore obey the voice of the Lord your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you today.”

11 That day Moses charged the people, saying, 12 “When you have crossed over the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 And these shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 And the Levites shall declare to all the men of Israel in a loud voice:

15 “‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’

16 “‘Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

17 “‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor's landmark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

18 “‘Cursed be anyone who misleads a blind man on the road.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

19 “‘Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

20 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his father's wife, because he has uncovered his father's nakedness.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

21 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with any kind of animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

22 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

23 “‘Cursed be anyone who lies with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

24 “‘Cursed be anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

25 “‘Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

26 “‘Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Chapter Analysis

Deuteronomy 27: Israel Renewed the Covenant at Mount Ebal

Overview

Deuteronomy 27 records Moses' instructions for Israel to renew the covenant after crossing the Jordan River. The people were commanded to set up large stones inscribed with God's Law, build an altar on Mount Ebal, offer sacrifices, and publicly declare both the blessings and the curses of the covenant.

The chapter emphasizes that God's covenant is to be remembered, proclaimed, and obeyed. Israel was reminded that obedience brings blessing, while hidden sin and covenant unfaithfulness bring God's judgment.

This chapter prepares the nation for the covenant blessings and curses that are explained in greater detail in the following chapter.

I. Verses 1–8: Write God's Law on Stones

Moses, together with the elders of Israel, commanded the people that after crossing the Jordan they were to:

  • Set up large stones.
  • Cover them with plaster.
  • Write all the words of God's Law upon them.

These stones were to be erected on Mount Ebal.

The purpose was to ensure that God's Word remained permanently before the people as they entered the Promised Land.

Moses also instructed them to build an altar of uncut stones.

Upon that altar they were to offer:

  • Burnt offerings.
  • Peace offerings.

The people were to eat before the Lord and rejoice because He had fulfilled His promise by bringing them into the land.

II. Versues 9–10: Israel Was God's Covenant People

Moses and the Levitical priests addressed the nation, saying:

"This day you have become the people of the LORD your God."

Because they belonged to Him, they were commanded to:

  • Listen to His voice.
  • Obey His commandments.
  • Keep His statutes.

Their identity as God's people carried with it the responsibility of faithful obedience.

III. Verses 11–26: The Curses Were Declared

Moses instructed that after entering the land:

  • Six tribes were to stand on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings.
  • Six tribes were to stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses.

The Levites then declared a series of covenant curses.

These included those who:

  • Made idols.
  • Dishonored father or mother.
  • Moved a neighbor's boundary marker.
  • Misled the blind.
  • Denied justice to the foreigner, orphan, or widow.
  • Committed various forms of sexual immorality.
  • Murdered secretly.
  • Accepted bribes to kill an innocent person.
  • Failed to uphold God's Law.

After each declaration, all the people responded:

"Amen."

By saying "Amen," Israel acknowledged God's righteous standards and accepted responsibility to obey His covenant.

Major Lessons in Deuteronomy 27

God's Word Must Be Clearly Proclaimed

Writing the Law on the stones demonstrated that God's truth was to remain permanently before His people.

Worship and Obedience Belong Together

The altar, sacrifices, and written Law remind us that true worship includes faithful obedience to God's Word.

God's People Must Publicly Identify with Him

Israel openly declared their covenant relationship with the Lord and accepted the responsibilities that accompanied it.

Hidden Sin Is Not Hidden from God

Many of the listed curses concern secret sins, reminding us that God sees what others cannot.

God's Standards Are Perfectly Just

Every "Amen" affirmed that God's judgments are righteous and worthy of complete obedience.

Covenant Commitment Requires Personal Responsibility

Each individual was accountable before God for obeying His revealed Word.

Overall Summary

Deuteronomy 27 records Israel's preparation to renew the covenant after entering the Promised Land. Moses instructed the people to write God's Law on large stones, build an altar on Mount Ebal, offer sacrifices, and publicly affirm the covenant through a series of blessings and curses. By responding "Amen" to each declaration, the nation accepted responsibility for obeying God's commands. The chapter emphasizes that God's Word must remain central in the lives of His people and that true worship is inseparable from faithful obedience. These truths ultimately point to Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled God's Law and enables believers under the New Covenant to obey God from transformed hearts.