The altar on Ebal and the covenant curses

27:1 Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Pay attention to all the commandments I am giving you today. 27:2 When you cross the Jordan River to the land the Lord your God is giving you, you must erect great stones and cover them with plaster. 27:3 Then you must inscribe on them all the words of this law when you cross over, so that you may enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, said to you. 27:4 So when you cross the Jordan you must erect on Mount Ebal these stones about which I am commanding you today, and you must cover them with plaster. 27:5 Then you must build an altar there to the Lord your God, an altar of stones – do not use an iron tool on them. 27:6 You must build the altar of the Lord your God with whole stones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. 27:7 Also you must offer fellowship offerings and eat them there, rejoicing before the Lord your God. 27:8 You must inscribe on the stones all the words of this law, making them clear.” 27:9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel: “Be quiet and pay attention, Israel. Today you have become the people of the Lord your God. 27:10 You must obey him and keep his commandments and statutes that I am giving you today.” 27:11 Moreover, Moses commanded the people that day: 27:12 “The following tribes must stand to bless the people on Mount Gerizim when you cross the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 27:13 And these other tribes must stand for the curse on Mount Ebal: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 27:14 “The Levites will call out to every Israelite with a loud voice: 27:15 ‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or metal image – something abhorrent to the Lord, the work of the craftsman – and sets it up in a secret place.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 27:16 ‘Cursed is the one who disrespects his father and mother.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 27:17 ‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s boundary marker.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 27:18 ‘Cursed is the one who misleads a blind person on the road.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 27:19 ‘Cursed is the one who perverts justice for the resident foreigner, the orphan, and the widow.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 27:20 ‘Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with his father’s former wife, for he dishonors his father.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 27:21 ‘Cursed is the one who commits bestiality.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 27:22 ‘Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with his sister, the daughter of either his father or mother.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 27:23 ‘Cursed is the one who has sexual relations with his mother- in-law.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 27:24 ‘Cursed is the one who kills his neighbor in private.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 27:25 ‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’ 27:26 ‘Cursed is the one who refuses to keep the words of this law.’ Then all the people will say, ‘Amen!’

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Moses tells Israel to set up memorial stones, write the law on them, build an altar on Mount Ebal, and offer sacrifices as they enter the land. The tribes then hear the covenant curses and answer “Amen,” showing that Israel must obey the Lord’s word and that rebellion brings judgment.

This passage is a public covenant ceremony. Israel is about to cross the Jordan into the land the Lord promised. Moses, with the elders and the Levitical priests, tells the people to remember the Lord’s law, write it clearly on stones, and set them up in the land.

They must also build an altar on Mount Ebal from whole stones, without using an iron tool. Burnt offerings and fellowship offerings are to be given there. This shows reverent worship before the Lord as the people enter the land under covenant responsibility.

Moses then tells the tribes to stand on two mountains, one for blessing and one for curse. The Levites call out a series of curses, and the people answer, “Amen.” The curses speak against idolatry, dishonoring parents, moving boundary markers, misleading the blind, denying justice to the vulnerable, sexual sins, murder, bribery, and finally refusing to keep the law at all.

The main lesson is clear. God’s people must hear his word, obey it, and not treat any sin as small. Hidden sins and public sins alike are before God. The covenant life of Israel in the land depends on faithfulness to the Lord’s revealed word.

• God’s word is to be publicly remembered and obeyed.
• The law is to be written clearly so the people can see it.
• The altar on Ebal shows reverent worship and covenant fellowship before the Lord.
• Obedience and covenant identity belong together.
• The covenant curses cover idolatry, injustice, sexual sin, violence, and total disobedience.
• Hidden sins are also under God’s judgment.
• The people’s “Amen” is a public agreement with the covenant sanctions.

• Pay attention to all the commandments.
• Set up large stones after crossing the Jordan.
• Write the words of the law on the stones.
• Build an altar to the Lord from uncut stones.
• Offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.
• Be quiet and listen.
• Obey the Lord and keep his commandments and statutes.
• Do not make idols.
• Do not dishonor father or mother.
• Do not move a neighbor’s boundary marker.
• Do not mislead the blind.
• Do not pervert justice for the resident foreigner, the orphan, or the widow.
• Do not commit the listed sexual sins.
• Do not kill in secret.
• Do not take a bribe to kill an innocent person.
• Do not refuse to keep the words of the law.
• Cursed is anyone who breaks these covenant commands.

This passage belongs to the Mosaic covenant as Israel enters the promised land. It publicly marks Israel as the Lord’s people and shows that life in the land is tied to obedience. The altar and sacrifices fit the covenant setting of worship before a holy God. Canonically, the curse on lawbreakers prepares for the Bible’s larger message that people need a faithful covenant keeper and mediator.

God’s people should treat his word with reverence, not casually. Worship and obedience belong together. Leaders should protect the weak, reject hidden sin, and keep justice clean. The passage also warns that a full life of disobedience, not only obvious rebellion, brings covenant judgment. Christians should read this passage as part of the covenant story that leads to Christ and the new covenant, while remembering that its direct setting is Israel at Mount Ebal.

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