Deut. 27:1–28:68 Moses’ Third Speech: Blessings and Curses. Ancient covenant treaties included blessings for keeping the treaty conditions and curses for not keeping them (see chart). These chapters describe the blessings and curses Israel will face for either keeping or failing to keep its covenant with the Lord.
Deut. 27:1–8 Moses looks ahead to a covenant ceremony after arriving in the land.
Deut. 27:2–3 on the day. Not necessarily the precise day but simply “when.” plaster them with plaster. White plaster provides a backdrop for the writing. write on them all the words of this law. This is in addition to the permanent written record (31:24–26).
Deut. 27:4–5 today. See note on vv. 2–3. Mount Ebal is north of Shechem (see 11:29). wield no iron tool. Israel’s altars were to be of unhewn stone (Ex. 20:25).
Deut. 27:6–7 Burnt offerings were the basic sacrifices dealing with sin (Leviticus 1). After sins are atoned for, peace offerings celebrate fellowship with God (Leviticus 3).
Deut. 27:9 you have become the people of the Lord. Compare Ex. 19:5–6; Deut. 7:6; 14:2. The covenant of Horeb is renewed here in Moab (29:1). After the conquest, it will be renewed again at Shechem (Joshua 24).
Deut. 27:12–13 Mount Gerizim is south of Shechem. Shechem is on the shoulder of the two mountains, Gerizim and Ebal (see 11:29 and note on 27:4–5). These verses describe a ceremony in which Israel hears blessings and curses concerning the law. In this chapter, however, there are only curses read by the Levites. See Josh. 8:30–35 for the carrying out of these instructions (compare Joshua 24).
Deut. 27:14 Levites must refer to the Levitical priests, since the rest of the tribe of Levi are on Mount Gerizim (see v. 12).
Deut. 27:15 On image, see 5:8–10. “Amen.” All the people express their acceptance of God’s justice and judgment.
Deut. 27:16 On dishonoring father and mother, see 5:16.
Deut. 27:17 On neighbor’s landmark, see 19:14.
Deut. 27:18 On misleading the blind, see Lev. 19:14.
Deut. 27:19 On perverting justice, see 24:17–18.
Deut. 27:20–22 On uncovering one’s father’s nakedness, see 22:30; Lev. 18:8. On lying with an animal, see Lev. 18:23. On lying with one’s sister, see Lev. 18:9.
Deut. 27:24 On striking down one’s neighbor, see 19:11.
Deut. 27:25 On taking a bribe, see 16:19.
Deut. 27:26 The list of 12 curses is merely a sample of the law. It is not meant to include all situations. Paul quotes this verse in Gal. 3:10 to show that no human can perfectly obey God’s law, and that therefore all need his grace.
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