1The people are commanded to write the law upon stones, which are to be set up, and an altar of whole stones to be built, in mount Ebal. 9Moses and the priests recommend attention and obedience to the law. 11Six tribes to be stationed on Gerizim, and six on Ebal. 14The curses to be pronounced by the Levites.
1AND Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the 1commandments which I command you this day.
1 Hebr. all this commandment, which, etc.
2And it shall be on the day whena ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and 2plaister them with plaister:
a Joshua 4:1.
2 Hebr. lime them with lime, and also verse 4.
3And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, 3that 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.
3 Other, because thou mayest go in.
4Therefore 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.
5Andb there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any 4iron tool upon them.
b Exod. 20:25; Joshua 8:31.
4 That is, you shall not use an iron tool upon the stones to prepare and fit them artificially, that it may not tend to a misuse; for, this was but for a time until God would please to reveal His will concerning a certain place of worship.
6Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of 5whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
5 That is, as you shall find them, rough and not fashioned.
7And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.
8And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law 6very plainly.
6 In order that they may be legible, and last a long time.
9¶And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; 7this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.
7 Compare Deut. 26 on verse 17.
10Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
11¶And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,
128These 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:
8 Compare Deut. 11:29.
13And 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,
15Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, 9an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, 10and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, 11Amen.
9 See Deut. 17 on verse 1.
10 Or, though he would put it in a secret place.
11 See Num. 5 on verse 22.
16Cursed be he that settethc light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
c dishonour, treat with contempt or shame
17Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
18Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
19Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
20Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth 12his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
12 See Deut. 22 on verse 30.
21Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
22Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the 13daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
13 That is, his half-sister, as the following words declare.
23Cursed be he that lieth with his 14mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
14 That is, the mother of his wife.
24Cursed be he that 15smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
15 That is, killeth, murdereth.
25Cursed be he 16that taketh reward to slay an 17innocent 18person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
16 Whether he be a judge, or witness, or a murderer hired for that purpose, etc.
17 That is, so that the blood of an innocent person is shed by him or by his means.
18 Or, a soul.
26Curseddbe he that 19confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
d Gal. 3:10.
19 Always practicing and performing them with heart, mouth and deed. Compare Jer. 35:14, 16.