3. thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law—It might be, as some think, the Decalogue; but a greater probability is that it was "the blessings and curses," which comprised in fact an epitome of the law (Joshua 8:34). read more
Upon entering Canaan the Israelites were to assemble at Mt. Ebal (the hill that flanked Shechem to the north) near the center of the land and set up several large stones as monuments (cf. Exodus 24:4-8). They were to plaster these with lime (or gypsum) and then write the law on the monuments. This was a common way of posting important public announcements in Canaan. [Note: J. Hoftijzer and G. van der Kooij, Aramaic Texts from Deir ’Alla, pp. 23-28.] They probably copied the Ten Commandments,... read more
A. The ceremony at Shechem 27:1-13When the people entered the Promised Land they were to assemble at Shechem (Deuteronomy 27:1-8; cf. Deuteronomy 11:29-30). This would be the second stage of the covenant renewal, to be conducted in Canaan. Moses exhorted the Israelites to obey the covenant requirements then (Deuteronomy 27:9-10) and prepared them to invoke the covenant sanctions there (Deuteronomy 27:11-13). read more
Ceremonies to be observed on reaching CanaanThis chapter has probably been misplaced, as it seems to break the connexion between Deuteronomy 26 and Deuteronomy 28. It ordains four ceremonies to be observed after the people have entered Canaan: the Law to be written on stones on Mt. Ebal: an altar to be erected there: the covenant ratified on Ebal and Gerizim: and twelve curses pronounced by the Levites.1. Elders] Elsewhere the elders are addressed along with the people. Here they are associated... read more
XXVII.THE LAW TO BE ESTABLISHED IN CANAAN AS THE LAW OF THE LAND.(1) Moses with the elders.—Here joined in exhortation for the first time in this book.Keep.—Literally, to keep. Possibly we are intended to connect the two verses. In order to keep them, ye shall write them.Deuteronomy 27:2-4 THE DECALOGUE TO BE WRITTEN ON MOUNT EBAL.(2) Set . . . up great stones, and plaister them with plaister.—The idea is to make a smooth surface, on which the Law could be inscribed. “Plaister” only here and in... read more
MOSES’ FAREWELL SPEECHESDeuteronomy 4:1-40, Deuteronomy 27:1-26; Deuteronomy 28:1-68; Deuteronomy 29:1-29; Deuteronomy 30:1-20.WITH the twenty-sixth chapter the entirely homogeneous central portion of the Book of Deuteronomy ends, and it concludes it most worthily. It prescribes two ceremonies which are meant to give solemn expression to the feeling of thankfulness which the love of God, manifested in so many laws and precepts, covering the commonest details of life, should have made the... read more
23. The Memorial of the Law at Mount Ebal; Gerizim and Ebal CHAPTER 27 1. The memorial to be set up in the land (Deuteronomy 27:1-8 ) 2. Gerizim and Ebal (Deuteronomy 27:9-26 ) Little comment is needed on this chapter. The memorial stones were to be set up on Mount Ebal. Upon that mountain the curses of the law were to be uttered. The blessings were to be pronounced upon Mount Gerizim. However, on Gerizim were no stones with the law written upon it. How strikingly this illustrates the... read more
27:3 {b} And 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.(b) God would have his law set up in the borders of the land of Canaan, that all that looked on it might know that the land was dedicated to his service. read more
A MEMORIAL ON MOUNT EBAL (vs.1-10) With the directive again to keep all the commandments of the Lord, Moses gave Israel instructions, when they get into the land, to set up large stones coated with lime, on which the words of the law were to be inscribed (vs.1-3). This was to be done on Mount Ebal and also an altar of stones built there (vs.4-6), on which Israel was to offer peace offerings and rejoice before the Lord. The significance of these things is very striking, for we are told in... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 27:2
2. it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan—"Day" is often put for "time"; and it was not till some days after the passage that the following instructions were acted upon. thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister—These stones were to be taken in their natural state, unhewn, and unpolished—the occasion on which they were used not admitting of long or elaborate preparation; and they were to be daubed over with paint or whitewash, to render them more... read more