Deuteronomy 27:14-28:68

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:11-26

When the law was written, to be seen and read by all men, the sanctions of it were to be published, which, to complete the solemnity of their covenanting with God, they were deliberately to declare their approbation of. This they were before directed to do (Deut. 11:29, 30), and therefore the appointment here begins somewhat abruptly, Deut. 27:12. There were, it seems, in Canaan, that part of it which afterwards fell to the lot of Ephraim (Joshua's tribe), two mountains that lay near together,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:14

And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel ,.... Rather, "answer F5 ענו "respondebunt", Montanus. and say"; not the whole tribe of Levi, for that stood on Mount Gerizim to bless, Deuteronomy 27:12 ; but the priests of that tribe who were placed in the valley, between the two mountains, and pronounced both the blessings and the curses in the hearing of all the tribes of Israel, to which they were to answer Amen; and that they might plainly hear, they expressed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:11-14

Having set up the Law and renewed the covenant in Canaan, Israel was to proclaim upon the land the blessing and the curse of the Law, as already commanded (see Deuteronomy 11:29 ). For this purpose six tribes were to station themselves on Mount Gerizim, and six on Mount Ebal, the former to pronounce the blessing, the latter the curse. (On the situation of these two mountains, see at eh. Deuteronomy 11:29 .) The six tribes by whom the blessing was to be pronounced were Simeon, Levi, Judah,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:11-26

A grand "Amen!" It is more than possible that, with the strong disposition there is nowadays to look on Judaism as obsolete, the chapter before us may be very frequently passed over as if full of curses that no longer have any effect; especially as Paul, in Galatians 3:1-29 ; says, " Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law." But we are apt, perhaps, in dealing with the doctrinal aspect of these curses of the Law , in reference to the Atonement, to lose sight of their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:11-26

Ebal and Gerizim. This ceremony turns on the idea of the Law as primarily entailing a curse. Blessings and curses were both to be recited ( Deuteronomy 27:12 , Deuteronomy 27:13 ). But the curse seems to have been first pronounced, and it only is given in the record. It has the lead in the transaction. The explanation is obvious. Deuteronomy 27:26 shows that, in strictness, none can escape the curse ( Psalms 130:3 ; Galatians 3:10 ). A blessing is pronounced from Gerizim, but it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:11-26

The Decalogue nationally reciprocated. It is obvious that the same God who prescribed its Jewish Law is the Creator also of the human conscience; for, just as the sword fits its scabbard, or as cog corresponds with cog in the mechanical wheel, so accord Mosaic Law and human conscience. They are natural counterparts. I. MEN ARE RULED BY A SYSTEM OF REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS . Notwithstanding the development of the human mind, and the progress of civilization since Moses'... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:11-26

Responses. After the writing of the Law, and the sacrifices, there was to be a great congregation, and half of the people were to assemble on Mount Gerizim to bless, viz. Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin; while the other half were to assemble on Mount Ebal to curse, viz. Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. Now, we know from Numbers that the order of march was this: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gershon and Merari with the tabernacle, Reuben, Simeon,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:14

The Levites—standing probably in some convenient spot midway between the two mountains (cf. Joshua 8:33 )—were to pronounce with a loud voice the blessing and the curse, so that all might hear; and the people were to give their assent, and take to themselves, as it were, the blessing or the curse as uttered, by a solemn Amen . By the Levites here are intended, not the sons of Levi generally, but that portion of them which belonged to the priesthood, and bare the ark of the covenant (cf. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 27:11-26

Compare Joshua 8:32-35. The solemnity was apparently designed only for the single occasion on which it actually took place.Deuteronomy 27:12, Deuteronomy 27:13The tribes appointed to stand on Gerizim to bless the people all sprang from the two wives of Jacob, Leah and Rachel. All the four tribes which sprang from the handmaids Zilpah and Bilhah are located on Ebal. But in order, as it would seem, to effect an equal division, two tribes are added to the latter from the descendants of the wives,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 27:14

Deuteronomy 27:14. The Levites Some of the Levites, namely, the priests, who bare the ark, as it is expressed Joshua 8:33, for the body of the Levites stood upon mount Gerizim, Deuteronomy 27:12. But these stood in the valley between Gerizim and Ebal, looking toward the one or the other mountain as they pronounced either the blessings or the curses. read more

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