Deuteronomy 27:16

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 27:16

Cursed be he that setteth light by his father, or his mother ,.... That secretly despises them in his heart, and by looks and gestures mocks at them in a private manner, unseen by others, Proverbs 30:17 ; for if he publicly cursed them, that was cognizable by the civil magistrate, and he was to be put to death, Leviticus 20:9 . This follows next, as in the order of the ten commands, to that which respects the fear and worship of God; honouring parents being next to the glorifying of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 27:16

Setteth light by his father or his mother - See the note on Exodus 20:12 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 27:16

Verse 16 16.Cursed be he that setteth light by his father. What follows refers to the Second Table of the Law; and, first, He pronounces those cursed who should be undutiful ( impii) to their parents; for the word קלל, kalal, (201) which means to despise, as well as to curse, is put in opposition to the honor which, by the Fifth Commandment, is due to our father and mother. Then He mentions such thefts as generally escape the knowledge of men; as also, He only adverts to those acts of... 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 27:15-26

The curses to be pronounced were twelve in number, probably to correspond with the number of the tribes. The blessings are not here recorded; but when the injunction here given was fulfilled by Joshua, the blessing as well as the curse was pronounced ( Joshua 8:34 ). And probably, as the Jews report, each, the blessing and the curse, was pronounced alternately. It has sometimes been doubted whether any human voice could be audible over so wide a stretch as that between these two mountains;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:15-26

Each of the first eleven curses is directed against some particular sin already denounced in the Law. The twelfth curse is directed generally against all breaches of the Law, against those who fail or refuse to set up the whole Law and follow it as the rule of life and conduct. This shows that the sins specially denounced are selected by way of specimen, and also, perhaps, because they are such as could for the most part be easily concealed from judicial inspection. read more

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