Writing the law at Mount Ebal
Deuteronomy · Draft · BSB
Content revision: 80457beafc31ea6d · No editorial review date recorded
Date: c. 1406 BC · Year 40, month 11 (Deuteronomy 1:3). Dated from 1 Kings 6:1 (the Exodus c. 1446 BC). Many scholars instead date the Exodus to about 1260 BC, placing these speeches about 1220 BC.
Moses and the elders command Israel, once across the Jordan, to set up large stones on Mount Ebal, coat them with plaster, write the law on them and build an altar. Six tribes are to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless and six on Mount Ebal for the curse, while the Levites proclaim twelve curses and the people answer Amen.
Deuteronomy records Moses’ last speeches to the new generation of Israel on the plains of Moab, in the fortieth year after the Exodus (1:3). It looks back over the journey from Egypt and Horeb and forward to life in the land, calling Israel to love the LORD and remember what he has done. Each section below lists what Moses recalls, with links to those events on the timeline, and where the rest of Scripture takes up the passage.
The Ten Commandments, the great commandment, and the statutes for life in the land, ending with blessings and curses (4:44–28:68).
Primary Scripture
27:1 Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all the commandments I am giving you today.
27:2 And 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.
27:3 Write 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.
27:4 And 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.
27:5 Moreover, 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.
27:6 You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.
27:7 There you are to sacrifice your peace offerings, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God.
27:8 And you shall write distinctly upon these stones all the words of this law.”
27:9 Then 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.
27:10 You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God and follow His commandments and statutes I am giving you today.”
27:11 On that day Moses commanded the people:
27:12 “When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
27:13 And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
27:14 Then the Levites shall proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite:
27:15 ‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
27:16 ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
27:17 ‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
27:18 ‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
27:19 ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
27:20 ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
27:21 ‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
27:22 ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
27:23 ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
27:24 ‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
27:25 ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
27:26 ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Where Scripture takes it up
Joshua carries this out at Mount Ebal.
The law read before all Israel
Paul quotes Deuteronomy 27:26.
Location evidence
Plains of Moab: Approximate region. Coordinates [longitude, latitude]: [35.64, 31.85]. Classification source: editorial.
Illustrative regional extent: [[35.56,31.77],[35.7,31.91]]; not a measured confidence interval.
Numbers 33:48–49 · extent of the camp
For the class
Why do the people say Amen to each curse?
Interpretation and reuse
Narrative order is a reading arrangement, not a proven chronology. Dates retain their stated uncertainty. An identified locality does not establish the exact venue or prove an event. Region extents and routes are illustrative, not surveyed boundaries or ancient roads. Draft material has not completed editorial review.
Record source: editorial
Study guide: original editorial writing for Scripture Atlas.
Place coordinates: OpenBible.info, CC BY 4.0.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain. https://berean.bible/licensing.htm