Deuteronomy 27

The republication of the law being concluded, the Israelites are commanded, on their arrival in Canaan, to set up a memorial of it; Moses then, in a prophetic address, enlarges on the blessings attaching to obedience (xxviii. 1-14); and the curses attendant on transgression (15-68). He calls upon the people to enter anew into covenant engagement with the Eternal (xxix. 1-15), and concludes his appeal by pressing solemnly upon them the plain requirements of practical godliness, and setting before them the great alternatives, “life and death” (xxx. 11-20).

2 great stones. Books being scarce, these public monuments were of great importance. It seems likely, as the plastering is mentioned before the writing, that the uneven surface of the stones was covered with a smooth plaster, which was capable of resisting the action of the air in a dry climate, and was then engraved or painted. Such plaster inscriptions are found among the antiquities of Egypt.

4 in mount Ebal. This public and permanent record of the law was to stand on the mountain from which the curses were to be pronounced (ver. 13).

7 offer . . . and rejoice. It was only in virtue of what the altar with its burnt offerings and peace offerings represented that they could rejoice before God. Had the law stood there alone, it would have reminded them only of sin and condemnation; but, the altar of expiation being also there, they could worship God with joy as well as fear. Yet the altar did not annul the law, the words of which were written plainly upon the pillar.

12. Simeon, etc. All the tribes chosen to pronounce the blessings were descended from Leah and Rachel, Jacob’s proper wives. The descendants of Reuben (the first-born after the flesh, but degraded from his place by his sin), and Zebulun, the youngest son of Leah, joined with the descendants of the handmaids, were to utter the curses.

15. Cursed he. Rather, “Cursed is.” The sins here declared accursed are supposed to be committed in secret, and such as God only can avenge. To many of them the penalty of death was attached upon discovery and conviction.

26 all the words. R.V. omits all.