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Chapter Introduction

This chapter describes the covenant ceremony the children of Israel were to perform upon entering the land.  They were to erect an altar on Mount Ebal, offer sacrifices, then inscribe the words of the covenant on stone pillars.  Then they were to proclaim the blessings and curses that will come as determined by obedience or disobedience.  Joshua followed these directions in Josh 8:30-35.

Deuteronomy 27:1-10

All the commandments summarized the covenant terms between Yahweh and the people of Israel.  They were to set up stones as soon as they entered the land and write the words of the law on them.  This writing was likely summary statements, including the decalogue and Shema, among other things. 

Mount Ebal was thirty miles from where they would enter the land.  Near this mountain was Shechem, a city with a lot of significance.  This was Abram’s first stop upon entering Canaan (Gen 12:6).  Jacob bought land near the city and built an altar to God (Gen 33:18-20).  It was the scene of Dinah’s rape and murderous response by Jacob’s sons (Gen 34).  Mount Gerizim (2849 feet) is on the other side of Shechem from Mount Ebal (3077 feet). 

On Mount Ebal, they were to erect an altar to the Lord.  This was to be built with whole stones, and no iron tool was to be used.  On that altar, they were to offer burnt offerings.  Then, they were to offer peace offerings, eat there, and rejoice before God.  Then, they were to write the covenant on the stones.  Archeologists claim to have found this altar.

Some archaeologists believe that the remains of this altar have been found. It is a structure on one of the peaks of Mount Ebal about twenty-five by thirty feet with walls about five feet thick and nine feet high made of fieldstones. The fill is dirt and ashes, and what appears to be a ramp leads up to the top. The structure is surrounded by a courtyard, and animal bones litter the site. Pottery on the site goes back to 1200 b.c. 

Matthews, V. H., Chavalas, M. W., & Walton, J. H. (2000).

The IVP Bible background commentary:

Old Testament (electronic ed., Dt 27:4). InterVarsity Press.

They were warned again to obey and observe these things.  Joshua completed this in Joshua 8.

Deuteronomy 27:11-13

This begins the ceremony that goes through chapter 28.  On the same day the covenant was recorded on the stones of Mount Ebal they were to divide up.  Six tribes were to stand on (or at) Mount Ebal and the other six on (or at) Mount Gerizim.  The assignments were given with no explanation for the tribal assignments. 

When Israel actually entered Canaan under Joshua’s command, the two tribal groups appear to stand on opposite sides of the ark of the covenant, facing their respective mountains (Josh 8:33). The intended meaning of the preposition translated “on” (al) in Deuteronomy seems to be “against” (i.e., “opposite to”) each respective mountain. 

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R.,

Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M.,

Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016).

Faithlife Study Bible (Dt 27:12). Lexham Press.

Deuteronomy 27:14-26

The curse constitutes a solemn oath to bring an undefined curse upon the person violating these statements.  The people's response to the announcement is their agreement and ratification of the covenant.  In saying, “Amen,” they were saying, “Let it be so.”  They understand these things done in private would bring the curse of God upon them.

• Idolatry.  Honor and loyalty to God alone
• Dishonor Father and Mother.  Honor to the institution of family, a place to teach and facilitate the ongoing heritage.  Note the placement of this as second only to idolatry.
• Moving a landmark
• Exploiting a blind man
• Perverting Justice
• Sexual sin – lying with father’s wife
• Sexual sin – bestiality (practiced in ritual or magic in near east)
• Sexual sin – incestual relationships
• Sexual sin – relationship with wife’s mother
• Murder of your neighbor
• Murder for pay (judge bribed to pronounce guilt, death sentence)
• Failure to confirm all the words of the law  (didn’t say, “Ament!”)

©2007, 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater