📖 Deuteronomy — Chapter 27 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Deuteronomy 27:1 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, RKeep all the commandments which I command you this day.
Deuteronomy 27:2 And it shall be Ron 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:
Deuteronomy 27:3 And Rthou 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.
Deuteronomy 27:4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, Rin mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.
Deuteronomy 27:5 RAnd 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.
Deuteronomy 27:6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer Rburnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
Deuteronomy 27:7 And thou shalt offer Rpeace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.
Deuteronomy 27:8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law Rvery plainly.
Deuteronomy 27:9 And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; Rthis day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.
Deuteronomy 27:10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
Deuteronomy 27:11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,
Deuteronomy 27:12 These shall stand Rupon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:
Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon Rmount Ebal Tto curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
Deuteronomy 27:14 And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
Deuteronomy 27:15 RCursed 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.
Deuteronomy 27:16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:20 Cursed be he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he uncovereth his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:22 Cursed 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.
Deuteronomy 27:23 Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:25 Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:26 RCursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Deuteronomy 27:1–8 — Stones and an altar on Ebal
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
After crossing Jordan, Israel is to write the law on plastered stones and build an altar on Ebal. The words are to be written plainly.
Key Truth: The covenant's words are to be publicly and clearly preserved.
Check What You Remember
1. What river were they to cross before setting up the stones? (Deuteronomy 27:2)
Find it in Deuteronomy 27:2 (KJV).
2. On what mountain were the stones and altar to be set? (Deuteronomy 27:4)
Find it in Deuteronomy 27:4 (KJV).
3. What material was not to be used upon the altar's stones? (Deuteronomy 27:5)
Find it in Deuteronomy 27:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Deuteronomy 27:9–13 — The two mountains
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Moses and the priests call Israel to hear and obey as the LORD's people. The tribes are assigned to Gerizim for blessing and Ebal for curse.
Key Truth: The public ceremony makes covenant responsibility visible to the people.
Check What You Remember
1. On which mountain did the blessing tribes stand? (Deuteronomy 27:12)
Find it in Deuteronomy 27:12 (KJV).
2. On which mountain did the curse tribes stand? (Deuteronomy 27:13)
Find it in Deuteronomy 27:13 (KJV).
3. Were the people called to obey the voice of the LORD? (Deuteronomy 27:10)
Find it in Deuteronomy 27:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Deuteronomy 27:14–26 — Publicly affirmed warnings
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Levites pronounce warnings concerning idolatry, injustice, abuse, violence, and failure to keep the law. The people's repeated response affirms what they hear.
Key Truth: Covenant obedience includes the hidden conduct that harms others.
Check What You Remember
1. What repeated response did the people give? (Deuteronomy 27:15)
Find it in Deuteronomy 27:15 (KJV).
2. What property marker was not to be removed? (Deuteronomy 27:17)
Find it in Deuteronomy 27:17 (KJV).
3. Whose judgment was protected alongside that of the fatherless and widow? (Deuteronomy 27:19)
Find it in Deuteronomy 27:19 (KJV).
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Why are the plastered stones erected after crossing Jordan?
2. What distinguishes the altar construction from iron-worked stone?
3. What follows the declaration that Israel has become the LORD’s people?
4. How are the tribes divided for the announced blessing and curse?
5. How does the final curse broaden the preceding specific prohibitions?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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