Deuteronomy 27:1-26
Write the Law on Stones
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.”
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!’
Berean Standard Bible
When Israel crosses the Jordan, Moses commands the people to set up large stones, coat them with plaster, and write all the words of the law on them. The covenant is not to remain locked in the memory of a few leaders. The words are to stand in public view as Israel enters the land.
The people are to build an altar of uncut stones on Mount Ebal, offer sacrifices, and rejoice before the LORD. The place of the curses is also a place of worship. Israel is not invited to celebrate blessing while hiding the consequences of rebellion.
The Levites then declare curses over secret forms of unfaithfulness: idolatry, dishonoring parents, moving a boundary marker, exploiting the blind, denying justice to the foreigner, fatherless, or widow, sexual violence, murder, bribery, and failure to uphold the law. The people answer, “Amen,” accepting that hidden wrongdoing is still heard by God.
The chapter gives public words to private sins. A society cannot remain healthy by praising visible devotion while protecting the powerful who harm people in places no crowd can see.
Questions
1 Why were the words of the law written on stones?
AnswerThey were written publicly so Israel would carry God's instruction into the land rather than leave it with a few leaders.
2 What happened on Mount Ebal?
AnswerIsrael built an altar, offered sacrifices, and heard the covenant curses declared.
3 Which vulnerable people were named in the curses?
AnswerThe blind, foreigner, fatherless, and widow were named as people whose justice must not be denied.
4 What did Israel's “Amen” mean?
AnswerIt expressed agreement that hidden rebellion and injustice remained accountable before the LORD.
What This Means for Us
Public faith is not a substitute for private integrity. The curses name acts that can be concealed behind respectability, reminding us that worship cannot bless exploitation or silence.
Invite honest accountability into the places where no audience is present. Let your household's “Amen” become a willingness to protect the vulnerable and correct harm, not merely agreement during a reading.
Prayer
God who sees what is hidden, write Your truth deeply in us. Make our public worship honest, our private conduct clean, and our community attentive to those whose justice is easily denied. Amen.