THE LAW AT MOUNT EBAL

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

2And 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:

3And 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.

4Therefore 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.

5And 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.

6Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:

7And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.

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

9And 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.

10Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

THE CURSES AT MOUNT EBAL

11And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,

12These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:

13And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

14And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

15Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

16Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

17Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

18Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.

19Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

20Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

21Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.

22Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

23Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.

24Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.

25Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.

26Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

1And Moses with the Elders of Israel commaunded the people, saying, Keepe all the Commandements which I command you this day.

2And it shall be on the day when you shall passe ouer Iordan, vnto the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee, that thou shalt set thee vp great stones, and plaister them with plaister.

3And thou shalt write vpon them all the words of this Law when thou art passed ouer, that thou mayest goe in vnto the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee, a land that floweth with milke and hony, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee.

4Therefore it shall be when ye bee gone ouer Iordan, that yee shall set vp these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.

5And there shalt thou build an Altar vnto the Lord thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift vp any yron toole vpon them.

6Thou shalt build the Altar of the Lord thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings theron vnto the Lord thy God.

7And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eate there, and reioyce before the Lord thy God.

8And thou shalt write vpon the stones all the words of this Law very plainely.

9And Moses, and the Priestes the Leuites, spake vnto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken O Israel, this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God.

10Thou shalt therefore obey the voyce of the Lord thy God, and doe his Commandements, and his Statutes which I command thee this day.

11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,

12These shall stand vpon mount Gerizzim to blesse the people, when yee are come ouer Iordan: Simeon, and Leui, and Iudah, and Issachar, and Ioseph, and Beniamin.

13And these shall stand vpon mount Ebal to curse: Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, & Naphtali.

14 And the Leuites shal speake, and say vnto all the men of Israel with a loud voyce:

15Cursed be the man that maketh any grauen or molten image, an abomination vnto the Lord, the worke of the handes of the craftesman, and putteth it in a secret place: and all the people shall answere and say, Amen.

16Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother: and all the people shall say, Amen.

17Cursed be he that remooueth his neighbours land-marke: and all the people shall say, Amen.

18Cursed be hee that maketh the blinde to wander out of the way: and all the people shall say, Amen.

19Cursed be hee that peruerteth the iudgement of the stranger, fatherlesse, and widow: and all the people shall say, Amen.

20Cursed be hee that lieth with his fathers wife, because he vncouereth his fathers skirt: and all the people shall say, Amen.

21Cursed be hee that lieth with any maner of beast: and all the people shall say, Amen.

22Cursed be hee that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother: and all the people shall say, Amen.

23Cursed be hee that lieth with his mother in law: and all the people shall say, Amen.

24Cursed be hee that smiteth his neighbour secretly: and all the people shall say, Amen.

25Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person: and all the people shall say, Amen.

26Cursed be hee that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to doe them: and al the people shal say, Amen.

 

 

 

 

II == Josh 4:1 ; 8:30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV == Deut 11:29 ; Josh 8:30

 

 

V == Ex 20:25 ; Josh 8:31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IX == Deut 26:18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XII == Deut 11:29 ; Josh 8:33 ; Judg 9:7

 

 

XIII == Deut 11:29 ; Josh 8:33 ;

 

XIV == Deut 33:10 ; Dan 9:11

 

XV == Ex 20:4, 23 ; 34:17 ; Lev 19:4 ; 26:1 ; Num 5:22 ; Deut 4:16, 23 ; 5:8 ; Isa 44:9 ; Jer 11:5 ; Hos 13:2 ; 1st Cor 14:16

XVI == Ex 20:12 ; 21:17 ; Lev 19:3 ; Deut 21:18

XVII == Deut 19:14 ; Prov 22:28

 

XVIII == Lev 19:14

XIX == Ex 22:21-22 ; Deut 10:18 ; 24:17 ; Mal 3:5

 

XX == Lev 18:8 ; 20:11 ; Deut 22:30 ; 1st Cor 5:1

 

XXI == Lev 18:23 ; 20:15

 

XXII == Lev 18:9 ; 20:17

 

XXIII == Lev 18:17 ; 20:14

 

XXIV == Ex 20:13 ; Lev 24:17 ; Num 35:31

XXV == Ex 23:7-8

XXVI == 2nd Cor 3:9 ; Gal 3:10 ; Ps 119:21

1 Then Moses, with the elders of Israel, gave the people this order: "Keep all these commandments which I enjoin on you today.

2 On the day you cross the Jordan into the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster.

3 Also write on them, at the time you cross, all the words of this law, that you may thus enter into the land flowing with milk and honey, which the LORD, your God, and the God of your fathers, is giving you as he promised you.

4 When, moreover, you have crossed the Jordan, besides setting up on Mount Ebal these stones concerning which I command you today, and coating them with plaster,

5 you shall also build to the LORD, your God, an altar made of stones that no iron tool has touched.

6 You shall make this altar of the LORD, your God, with undressed stones, and shall offer on it holocausts to the LORD, your God.

7 You shall also sacrifice peace offerings and eat them there, making merry before the LORD, your God.

8 On the stones you shall inscribe all the words of this law very clearly."

9 Moses, with the levitical priests, then said to all Israel: "Be silent, O Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the LORD, your God.

10 You shall therefore hearken to the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes which I enjoin on you today."

11 That same day Moses gave the people this order:

12 "When you cross the Jordan, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin shall stand on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessings over the people,

13 while Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses.

14 "The Levites shall proclaim aloud to all the men of Israel:

15 'Cursed be the man who makes a carved or molten idol - an abomination to the LORD, the product of a craftsman's hands - and sets it up in secret!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

16 'Cursed be he who dishonors his father or his mother!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

17 'Cursed be he who moves his neighbor's landmarks!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

18 'Cursed be he who misleads a blind man on his way!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

19 'Cursed be he who violates the rights of the alien, the orphan or the widow!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

20 'Cursed be he who has relations with his father's wife, for he dishonors his father's bed!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

21 'Cursed be he who has relations with any animal!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

22 'Cursed be he who has relations with his sister or his half-sister!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

23 'Cursed be he who has relations with his mother-in-law!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

24 'Cursed be he who slays his neighbor in secret!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

25 'Cursed be he who accepts payment for slaying an innocent man!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

26 'Cursed be he who fails to fulfill any of the provisions of this law!' And all the people shall answer, 'Amen!'

These 2 chapters point out that obedience brings blessing, disobedience a curse. Deuteronomy 27 and 28

v 1. With Moses soon departure, the elders have an increasing role.

v 2-8. After crossing the Jordan, Israel was to set up a monument as a testimony of their faith, but his real desire is to have it written on their hearts, Heb. 8:10. Other altars of whole stones have been found in Israel and the Sinai Peninsula, Ex.  20:25.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

v 9.10. Israel was already God’s people, but now they have a fresh commitment. 

 

v 11-26. Moses appointed all the sons of Leah and Rachel except two to stand on Mt Gerazim to  bless the people by Amen. Leah’s oldest and youngest, Reuben and Zebulun stood on Mt Ebal to give Amen to the curse. The Levites stood in the valley to pronounce with a loud voice both the blessings and the curses.