What is the purpose of the stones and plaster in this passage?

The large stones covered with plaster were meant to carry the words of God’s law in a way everyone could see and read. Once the people crossed the Jordan into the land, they were to set these stones up on Mount Ebal and write “all the words of this law very plainly” on them. This showed that the land and the people belonged to God, reminded them daily of His commands, and removed the excuse of not knowing what He had said. God wanted His word to be clear, public, and permanent among them.

Why did God command an altar of whole stones with no iron tool used?

The altar on Mount Ebal had to be made from whole, natural stones, with no iron tool used on them. This kept the altar simple and free from human decoration, so the people would focus on God Himself, not on fancy work. It also showed that worship had to follow God’s pattern, not human ideas. On this plain altar they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, ate together, and rejoiced before the Lord, showing that obedience to God’s law and fellowship with Him through sacrifice belong together.

Why are half the tribes on Mount Gerizim and half on Mount Ebal?

The division of tribes between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal turns the whole nation into a living picture of blessing and curse. Six tribes stand on Gerizim to bless, and six on Ebal to curse, while the Levites speak in the middle. This makes clear that life in the land will not be neutral. Obedience to God’s commands brings blessing, while turning away brings curse. By placing all Israel around these two mountains, God shows that every family and tribe shares in the responsibility and the results of how they respond to His word.

Why does this passage focus so much on curses and say “Amen”?

The long list of curses may feel heavy, but it shows how seriously God takes both public and secret sin. The Levites call out curses on idolatry, on treating parents lightly, on moving boundary markers, on harming the weak, on sexual sins, and on hidden violence or bribery. After each curse the people answer “Amen,” which means, “So be it.” By saying this together, the whole nation agrees that these sins really deserve God’s judgment and that they themselves accept God’s standard of right and wrong as just and good.

What kinds of sins are singled out in the covenant curses?

The curses name sins against God and against other people. The list starts with making a hidden idol, which breaks loyalty to God. It then moves to despising parents, stealing land by moving landmarks, misleading the blind, and twisting justice for the stranger, orphan, and widow. There are also strong words against sexual sins within the family and with animals. Finally, it speaks against secret attacks, taking money to kill the innocent, and refusing to keep all of God’s law. Together these show that God cares about worship, family, honesty, mercy, and purity.

What does this passage teach about being God’s people?

In the middle of these commands, Moses tells Israel, “this day you have become the people of the Lord your God.” That means being God’s people is not just a title but a way of life. They are to hear His voice, keep His commandments, and publicly agree with what He calls right and wrong. Writing the law on stones, building the altar, and saying “Amen” to each curse all show that belonging to God is a gift with real responsibility. Their identity and their future in the land are tied to walking in obedience to the God who rescued them.

How does this passage speak about hidden or secret sin?

Several curses mention things done in secret, like hiding an idol, striking a neighbor secretly, or taking a bribe to harm an innocent person. These show that God sees what others do not see and judges what others cannot prove. The people saying “Amen” to these curses are agreeing that even when no human court is involved, such acts are still evil and deserve judgment. This teaches that faithfulness to God is not only about public behavior but also about what happens in private, in the heart, and in places where no one else is watching.

How can someone today apply the message of this covenant ceremony?

This passage invites a serious look at how we treat God’s word and other people. The people were told to make God’s law plain and central in their life together. Today that can mean keeping Scripture in view, not only in worship but in daily choices. The curses against idolatry, injustice, and hidden harm remind us to turn from anything that replaces God, to care for the weak, and to avoid secret sins. Like Israel saying “Amen,” a person today can openly agree with God’s standard and seek His help to live in honesty and mercy.

Deut.27.1

Deuteronomy 27:1

KJV

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

The Altar on Mount Ebal

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

2 And 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:

3 And 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.

4 Therefore 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.

5 And 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.

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

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

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

9 ¶ And 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.

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.

Curses Pronounced from Ebal

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

12 These 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:

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

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

15 Cursed 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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.