Deuteronomy 27:1-8 Meaning: Keep All the Commandment
1Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commandment which I command you today.
2It shall be on the day when you shall pass over the Jordan to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, that you shall set yourself up great stones, and coat them with plaster.
3You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over, that you may go in to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised you.
4It shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall coat them with plaster.
5There you shall build an altar to Yahweh your God, an altar of stones. You shall not use any iron tool on them.
6You shall build Yahweh your God’s altar of uncut stones. You shall offer burnt offerings on it to Yahweh your God.
7You shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there. You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God.
8You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”
1And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.
2And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:
3And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that 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.
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.
5And there shalt thou build an altar unto the Lord thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.
6Thou shalt build the altar of the Lord thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord thy God:
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 very plainly.
1And Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandment which I command you this day.
2And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over the Jordan unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with plaster:
3and thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over; that thou mayest go in unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Jehovah, the God of thy fathers, hath promised thee.
4And it shall be, when ye are passed over the Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster.
5And there shalt thou build an altar unto Jehovah thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt lift up no iron tool upon them.
6Thou shalt build the altar of Jehovah thy God of unhewn stones; and thou shalt offer burnt-offerings thereon unto Jehovah thy God:
7and thou shalt sacrifice peace-offerings, and shalt eat there; and thou shalt rejoice before Jehovah thy God.
8And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.
1`And Moses--the elders of Israel also--commandeth the people, saying, Keep all the command which I am commanding you to-day;
2and it hath been, in the day that ye pass over the Jordan unto the land which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee, that thou hast raised up for thee great stones, and plaistered them with plaister,
3and written on them all the words of this law in thy passing over, so that thou goest in unto the land which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee--a land flowing with milk and honey, as Jehovah, God of thy fathers, hath spoken to thee.
4`And it hath been, in your passing over the Jordan, ye raise up these stones which I am commanding you to-day, in mount Ebal, and thou hast plaistered them with plaister,
5and built there an altar to Jehovah thy God, an altar of stones, thou dost not wave over them iron.
6Of complete stones thou buildest the altar of Jehovah thy God, and hast caused to ascend on it burnt-offerings to Jehovah thy God,
7and sacrificed peace-offerings, and eaten there, and rejoiced before Jehovah thy God,
8and written on the stones all the words of this law, well engraved.'
1And Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandment which I command you this day.
2And it shall be on the day when ye pass over the Jordan unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with plaster:
3and thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou goest over that thou mayest enter into the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Jehovah the God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
4And it shall be when ye go over the Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, as I command you this day, on mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster.
5And there shalt thou build an altar to Jehovah thy God, an altar of stones; thou shalt not lift up an iron [tool] upon them;
6of whole stones shalt thou build the altar of Jehovah thy God; and thou shalt offer up burnt-offerings thereon to Jehovah thy God.
7And thou shalt sacrifice peace-offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before Jehovah thy God.
8And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.
Meaning in one sentence
What does Deuteronomy 27:1-8 mean? Moses commands Israel to set up stones, write the law, and build an altar after crossing the Jordan.
Context
As the Israelites stand on the edge of the Promised Land, Moses gives his final instructions. Chapter 27 begins a section focused on the covenant blessings and curses. Here, Moses and the elders command the people to do two things once they cross the Jordan: set up large stones covered with plaster and write all the words of the law on them, and build an altar of uncut stones on Mount Ebal. These actions would make God's Word visible and central as they took possession of the land. The passage prepares them for a ceremony of blessing and curse that follows.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for commandment (mitsvah) introduces the specific instructions that follow, the whole unit is one command. The verb write (katav) means to inscribe or engrave; this was to be permanent. The phrase very plainly uses two words: ba'er (to make clear) and heitev (to do well). Together they mean to write distinctly or explain thoroughly. God wanted His words visible and understandable, not hidden or ambiguous. The stones (even) were large and natural, and the whitewash (sid) provided a smooth surface, like a billboard. Physical reminders of God's covenant were placed where everyone could see them.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen this passage as emphasizing the permanence of God's Word. The command to write the law on stones reminds us that Scripture is meant to endure and be accessible. The altar of uncut stones, built without iron tools, is often understood to symbolize worship that comes to God in its natural state, not polished by human effort. The location, Mount Ebal, is traditionally the mount of curses, while Mount Gerizim (verse 12) is for blessings. Some early manuscripts (Samaritan Pentateuch) read Gerizim here, leading to discussion among scholars, but both sites underscore that the law is central to Israel's life in the land.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is to treat verse 1 as a separate general command and skip to the next section. In fact, Keep all the commandment directly introduces the specific instructions that follow in verses 2-8. The command to set up stones, write the law, build an altar, and offer sacrifices is the commandment they must keep. This tight connection between hearing God's Word and doing it is the core of the passage.
Living This Out
This week, think about where you place God's Word in your daily life. The Israelites set up stones in a visible, public place. Could you write a verse and put it where you will see it often, on your mirror, by your desk, on your phone wallpaper? And when you read Scripture, don't just take it in, let it lead you to worship and joy, like the peace offerings and feasting described here. Obedience and celebration belong together.
Main takeaway: God's Word is to be set up plainly in our lives, so that entering each day is shaped by remembering and doing what He says.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God told His people to set up big stones and write His words on them. You can write a Bible verse on a piece of paper and put it where you can see it every day. That way you remember what God says.
For ages 9, 12
When Israel crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God wanted them to make His law very visible. They set up large stones, plastered them, and wrote all God's words on them. They also built an altar without using any iron tools, showing that we come to God just as we are. Then they had a feast and rejoiced. God doesn't want us to obey Him with grumbling, He wants us to enjoy obeying Him because He is good.
Questions People Ask
What does 'keep all the commandment' mean in Deuteronomy 27:1?
It introduces the specific instructions that follow, set up stones, write the law, build an altar, offer sacrifices. It is not a general statement separated from the passage. The entire unit is one command.
Why did they write the law on stones?
The stones served as a permanent, public monument. Everyone could see God's Word as they entered the land. It reminded them that their possession of Canaan was tied to their obedience.
What is the significance of the altar of uncut stones?
God instructed that no iron tool should be used on the stones for the altar. This symbolizes that human effort or ornamentation should not interfere with pure worship. The altar was to be made of whole, natural stones, pointing to a simple, sincere approach to God.
Why was the ceremony to take place on Mount Ebal?
Mount Ebal was designated as the mount of curses (see verse 13). By writing the law there and offering sacrifices, the people acknowledged that the law brings a curse upon disobedience, but the sacrifices (pointing to atonement) allow them to approach God with peace offerings and rejoicing.
How does this passage apply to Christians today?
While Christians are not under the Law as a covenant of works, the principle remains: God's Word should be central and visible in our lives. The combination of hearing Scripture, responding with worship, and doing so with joy is a pattern for our relationship with God.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study