Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 27

Introduction

Deuteronomy 27. Consists of five paragraphs loosely strung together, none of them having affinities of thought or expression with Deuteronomy 26 or Deuteronomy 28. Moreover Moses is no longer the speaker, but is spoken of in the third person. This chapter is not consistent with itself (see Deuteronomy 27:1-8 *). Most modern scholars regard it as a late addition to D.

Deuteronomy 27:1-8 . Seems to contain two distinct instructions: ( a) The Israelites are immediately after crossing the Jordan to set up stones inscribing on them the (D?) law ( Deuteronomy 27:1-4; Deuteronomy 27:8). ( b) They are subsequently ( Deuteronomy 27:5-7) to erect on Mount Ebal (p. 30) an altar of unhewn stones ( Joshua 8:30-35 * (Rd), Exodus 20:25 *, JE).

Deuteronomy 27:7. peace offerings: see Deuteronomy 12:6 *.

Deuteronomy 27:9 f. Cf. Deuteronomy 26:16-19.

Deuteronomy 27:11-13 . Refers to Deuteronomy 11:26-30. Six of Jacob’ s sons by his legitimate wives are chosen to pronounce the blessings, which are omitted from this chapter. The four sons by his two concubines, with the eldest and youngest sons of Leah, are to utter the curses ( Deuteronomy 27:15-26). The execution of the commandment is described in Joshua 8:30-35 (Rd).

Deuteronomy 27:14-26 . Twelve curses against the same number of offences are to be pronounced by the Levites (this contradicts Deuteronomy 27:13). About some of the sins mentioned here D is silent. On the other hand, the sins emphasized most in D are unnamed here. For parallels in the other Codes see RV refs. and the notes on earlier passages.

Deuteronomy 27:16 . See Deuteronomy 21:18-21 *.