Deuteronomy 27:1-10

A.(1) And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.

B.(2) And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:

C.(3) 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’.(4) Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.

(5) And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them. (6) Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God: (7) And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.

C'(8) And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

A’.(9) And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God. (10) Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

Note: the introduction of the command concerning the building of an altar breaks up a neat pattern and may confuse us into thinking that the writing was on the stones of the altar, rather than on the great stones that were set up. There must be a purpose to this interjection – any thoughts?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.