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Deuteronomy 27

Stones and Curses

Whitewashed stones inscribed with the law. Twelve curses read from Mount Ebal. The covenant demands a response — and silence means consent.

Berean Standard Bible BSB KJV

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:

Understand This

Deuteronomy 27, explained

What Deuteronomy 27 is saying

Moses commands that upon entering the land, Israel must set up large stones coated with plaster and inscribe the law on them at Mount Ebal. An altar of uncut stones is to be built there. The Levites are then to pronounce twelve curses from Mount Ebal, each addressing a hidden or private sin, to which all the people must respond 'Amen.'

The background behind it

The Ebal-Gerizim ceremony creates a dramatic covenant-renewal liturgy at the geographic center of the promised land. Archaeological excavations on Mount Ebal by Adam Zertal uncovered a possible early Israelite altar site, though its identification remains debated. The twelve curses target sins committed in secret—those that escape human courts.

Themes running underneath

The curses address what happens behind closed doors: secret idolatry, dishonoring parents, moving boundary stones, misleading the blind, perverting justice for the vulnerable, and sexual sins. The public 'Amen' to private sins creates communal accountability for individual behavior. Writing the law on stones at the land's entrance declares that the territory belongs to God's word.

Why it still matters

Integrity is who you are when no one is watching. These curses target precisely the sins that evade human detection, reminding us that God sees what courts do not. The public 'Amen' means the community accepts responsibility for upholding standards even in private.

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Deuteronomy 26

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Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible — used by permission, Bible Hub.