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Deuteronomy 27

Deuteronomy 27 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Deuteronomy 27 prepares Israel for life in the land by calling for open obedience, public worship, and shared accountability. Moses and the elders instruct the people to remember God's law, build an altar, and hear blessings and curses spoken aloud. The chapter presses the nation to take God's commands seriously.

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What happens in Deuteronomy 27?

After Israel crosses the Jordan, they are told to set up large stones, coat them with plaster, and write on them the words of the law. On Mount Ebal they are to build an altar of uncut stones, offer sacrifices, and rejoice before the Lord. Moses and the Levites then announce that Israel has become the people of the Lord and must listen and obey. The chapter closes with a formal declaration of blessings and curses from the mountains of Gerizim and Ebal, covering idolatry, family dishonor, injustice, sexual sin, violence, bribery, and failure to keep the law.

This chapter comes near the end of Deuteronomy, as Moses prepares Israel to enter the promised land. It follows the call to remember covenant faithfulness and leads into the larger covenant renewal section that continues in the next chapter. The setting is public and formal, emphasizing that life in the land must be shaped by obedience to God's word.

Themes to notice

  • Covenant memoryThe written stones and altar make God's law a visible marker for Israel's life in the land.
  • Worship and obedienceSacrifice, rejoicing, and hearing the law are joined together as part of faithful covenant life.
  • Blessing and warningThe spoken curses show that hidden sin, injustice, and rebellion bring serious covenant consequences.

Questions for Deuteronomy 27

  • Why does God have the law written on stones before Israel settles in the land?
  • What do the altar and sacrifices on Mount Ebal teach about worship and obedience?
  • Which sins in the curses list seem aimed at hidden actions rather than public ones, and why does that matter?

Read the full text of Deuteronomy 27 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Deuteronomy 27

The Altar on Mount Ebal

1Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all the commandments I am giving you today.2And on the day you cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, set up large stones and coat them with plaster.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.5Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them.6You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.7There you are to sacrifice your peace offerings, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God.8And you shall write distinctly upon these stones all the words of this law.”

9Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel: “Be silent, O Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the LORD your God.10You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God and follow His commandments and statutes I am giving you today.”

Curses Pronounced from Ebal

11On that day Moses commanded the people: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.13And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.14Then the Levites shall proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite:

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!’

16‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

17‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

18‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

19‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

20‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

21‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

22‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

23‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

24‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

25‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

26‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’

And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

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