Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:1 - 27:8

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Deuteronomy 27:1 - 27:8


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:



The Stone Monument

v. 1. And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day, namely, that which now follows.

v. 2. And 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 plaster them with plaster,
to prepare them for the inscription which they were to receive, for the stones were apparently of great size, and a number of them could well receive the inscription intended for them;

v. 3. and thou shalt write upon them all the words of this Law,
as the public confession of the children of Israel and as the norm of its entire life, 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. The purpose of the command was realized by inscribing at least the Ten Commandments, as the nucleus of the entire Mosaic Law, but it is probable that all the regulations of the Ceremonial Law were included. If Israel would keep this Law, then the people were to have the Land of Promise for a lasting possession.

v. 4. Therefore 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,
in the approximate center of the land, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster, either with gypsum or with lime.

v. 5. And 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,
the stones were to be neither plastered nor hewn, Exo_20:22.

v. 6. Thou shalt build the altar of the Lord, thy God, of whole stones; and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord, thy God,
as expressing the entire and undivided devotion of Israel to Jehovah;

v. 7. and thou shalt offer peace-offerings,
expressing the enjoyment of the fellowship with Jehovah and the confidence of salvation in Him, and shalt eat there, celebrate a sacrificial meal, and rejoice before the Lord, thy God.

v. 8. And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this Law very plainly,
as a constant reminder to all the members of the nation. As the individual dwellings, so the whole land was to be holy to God, as a sanctuary of heavenly truth.