And you shall write distinctly upon these stones all the words of this law." And you shall writeThis phrase commands the Israelites to engage in the act of writing, which in the ancient Near Eastern context, was a significant means of preserving and transmitting important information. The Hebrew word used here is "כָּתַב" (kathab), which implies engraving or inscribing. This act of writing was not merely for record-keeping but was a divine mandate to ensure that God's laws were permanently etched into the consciousness of the people. The emphasis on writing underscores the importance of the law and its role in guiding the community. very clearly
The Hebrew phrase "בָּאֵר הֵיטֵב" (ba'er hetev) translates to "very clearly" or "distinctly." This indicates that the writing was to be done in a manner that was easily readable and understandable by all. The clarity of the law was crucial for its observance, as it left no room for ambiguity or misinterpretation. This reflects God's desire for His commandments to be accessible to every individual, ensuring that His will was known and could be followed precisely. all the words of this law
This phrase refers to the comprehensive nature of what was to be written. The "law" here is "תּוֹרָה" (torah), which encompasses not just legal stipulations but also teachings and instructions given by God. The use of "all" emphasizes the completeness and sufficiency of God's revelation to His people. It highlights the importance of adhering to the entirety of God's instructions, not picking and choosing parts that are convenient. This comprehensive approach ensures that the community remains aligned with God's will in every aspect of life. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is delivering God's commandments to the people. He is the central figure in the book of Deuteronomy, acting as a mediator between God and Israel. 2. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are about to enter the Promised Land. They are the recipients of the law and are instructed to follow it diligently. 3. Mount EbalThe location where the Israelites are commanded to set up stones and write the law upon them. It is a significant place for the renewal of the covenant. 4. The LawRefers to the commandments and statutes given by God to the Israelites. Writing the law on stones signifies its permanence and importance. 5. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Israelites are on the brink of entering this land. Teaching Points The Importance of Clarity in God's WordWriting the law "clearly" emphasizes the need for understanding and accessibility. God's Word should be communicated in a way that is comprehensible to all believers. The Permanence of God's CommandmentsThe act of inscribing the law on stones signifies its enduring nature. God's commandments are not temporary but are meant to guide His people perpetually. Obedience as a Response to God's CovenantThe Israelites' obedience in writing the law is a response to their covenant relationship with God. Believers today are called to live in obedience as a reflection of their commitment to God. The Role of Remembrance in FaithThe stones serve as a physical reminder of God's law and His covenant. Regularly recalling God's Word helps believers stay grounded in their faith. Community Responsibility in Upholding God's LawThe communal act of writing the law underscores the collective responsibility of the faith community to uphold and live by God's standards. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the act of writing the law on stones at Mount Ebal reflect the Israelites' commitment to God's covenant, and how can we apply this principle of commitment in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we ensure that God's Word is communicated clearly and effectively within our communities today? 3. How does the permanence of God's commandments, as symbolized by the stones, influence our understanding of the Bible's relevance in contemporary society? 4. What are some practical ways we can incorporate the remembrance of God's Word into our daily routines? 5. How can we, as a faith community, support one another in living out the principles and commandments found in Scripture? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 24This chapter describes the initial giving of the law at Mount Sinai, establishing the covenant between God and Israel. Joshua 8After entering the Promised Land, Joshua fulfills the command to write the law on stones at Mount Ebal, demonstrating obedience to God's instructions. 2 Corinthians 3Paul contrasts the old covenant written on stone with the new covenant written on hearts, highlighting the transformative power of the Spirit. People Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Moses, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, ZebulunPlaces Beth-baal-peor, Jordan River, Mount Ebal, Mount GerizimTopics Clearly, Distinctly, Engraved, Law, Plainly, Stones, Writing, WrittenDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 27:1-8 4366 stones Deuteronomy 27:1-26 7797 teaching Deuteronomy 27:2-8 5574 tablet Library Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten CommandmentsIn Judæa and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and Theology - Jews and Samaritans.
We have no means of determining how long Jesus may have tarried in Jerusalem after the events recorded in the previous two chapters. The Evangelic narrative [1850] only marks an indefinite period of time, which, as we judge from internal probability, cannot have been protracted. From the city He retired with His disciples to the country,' which formed the province of Judæa. There He taught and His disciples baptized. [1851] [1852] From what had been so lately witnessed in Jerusalem, as well …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah How Christ is Made Use of for Justification as a Way.
What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood in the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner, undertaking, and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or a sacrifice for sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his life a ransom to satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made known in the gospel, calling sinners to an accepting of him as their only Mediator, and to a resting upon him for …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was.
That which is said by Moses, that "Gerizim and Ebal were over-against Gilgal," Deuteronomy 11:30, is so obscure, that it is rendered into contrary significations by interpreters. Some take it in that sense, as if it were near to Gilgal: some far off from Gilgal: the Targumists read, "before Gilgal": while, as I think, they do not touch the difficulty; which lies not so much in the signification of the word Mul, as in the ambiguity of the word Gilgal. These do all seem to understand that Gilgal which …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ.
O wretched Man! where shall I begin to describe thine endless misery, who art condemned as soon as conceived; and adjudged to eternal death, before thou wast born to a temporal life? A beginning indeed, I find, but no end of thy miseries. For when Adam and Eve, being created after God's own image, and placed in Paradise, that they and their posterity might live in a blessed state of life immortal, having dominion over all earthly creatures, and only restrained from the fruit of one tree, as a sign …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered? …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 27:8 NIVDeuteronomy 27:8 NLTDeuteronomy 27:8 ESVDeuteronomy 27:8 NASBDeuteronomy 27:8 KJV
Deuteronomy 27:8 Commentaries
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