Law on Stones and Altar
Deuteronomy 27:1-8
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Deu.27.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וזקני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- שמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- המצוה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מצוה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 4:1 (verbal): A parallel call to listen to and observe God's statutes and judgments—similar injunction to keep the commandments Moses is presenting.
- Deuteronomy 6:1 (verbal): Uses the same formula (“these are the commandments…”) framing the obligations Moses gives the people and the command to keep them.
- Deuteronomy 11:1 (thematic): Links love of YHWH with keeping his commandments—echoes the rationale and communal ethic behind Moses’ command to observe the law.
- Exodus 24:3 (quotation): Describes Moses’ public communication of God’s words to the people and the people's covenantal response to do/observe them—parallel setting of public instruction and commitment.
- Leviticus 18:4 (verbal): Employs the language of doing God’s judgments and keeping his statutes—reflects the wider legal tradition into which Deut. 27:1 issues its command.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, "Observe all the commandment that I command you this day."
- Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, 'Observe all the commandment that I command you this day.'
Deu.27.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תעברו: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- והקמת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדלות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- ושדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- בשיד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 4:1-9 (verbal): After Israel crosses the Jordan they take twelve stones from the river and set them up at Gilgal as a memorial—directly parallels the command to erect stones upon entering the land.
- Joshua 8:30-32 (verbal): Joshua builds an altar on Mount Ebal and writes a copy of the law on stones—fulfills Deut 27's instruction to set up stones and inscribe the law.
- Joshua 24:26-27 (verbal): Joshua writes words of the covenant and sets up a large stone as a witness beneath an oak—another instance of erecting a stone memorial tied to covenantal law.
- Exodus 24:4 (structural): Moses builds an altar and sets up twelve pillars after covenant-making—parallel ritual structure of altar/stones accompanying covenant instruction.
- Genesis 31:45-52 (thematic): Jacob and Laban set up a heap of stones as a covenant witness (Galeed/Mizpah)—shows the wider ANE/Israelite practice of using stones as memorials and covenant markers.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be on the day when you cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD your God gives you, that you shall set up large stones and whitewash them with lime.
- And it shall be on the day you cross over the Jordan into the land that the LORD your God gives you, that you shall erect large stones and coat them with plaster.
Deu.27.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וכתבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עליהן: PREP+PRON,3,pl,f
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- בעברך: PREP+NOUN,2,m,sg
- למען: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תבא: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- א: PRT
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זבת: PART,qal,ptc,prs,f,sg
- חלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודבש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:2,m
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 31:24–26 (verbal): Moses finishes writing 'this law' and instructs that the book of the law be placed beside the ark—closely parallels the act of writing and preserving the law for arrival in the land.
- Joshua 8:32 (verbal): Explicitly records that they 'wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses' on entering and securing the land—direct verbal and narrative parallel to Deut 27:3.
- Joshua 24:26–27 (structural): Joshua 'wrote these words in the book of the law of God' and set up a large stone as a witness—echoes the twin actions of writing the law and erecting stones as covenantal witnesses.
- Deuteronomy 17:18–19 (thematic): The king is commanded to write his own copy of the law so he can read it—same theme of producing a written copy of the law to ensure obedience and continuity.
- Exodus 24:12 (allusion): God gives Moses 'tables of stone' with the law—an earlier motif of the law being fixed on / engraved in stone that underlies the injunction to write the law on stones.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed, that you may enter the land which the LORD your God gives you—a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
- You shall write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over, that when you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you—a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers promised you.
Deu.27.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- בעברכם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תקימו: VERB,qal,imperf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- האבנים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מצוה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- עיבל: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ושדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- בשיד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 8:30-35 (structural): Joshua carries out Moses' command by erecting the stones on Mount Ebal, building the altar, and publicly reading the law—direct fulfillment of Deut 27's ritual injunctions.
- Joshua 8:32 (verbal): Explicit echo of the Deuteronomic command to set up stones and write the words of the law on them (the text records that Joshua ‘wrote on the stones all the words of the law’).
- Joshua 4:20-24 (thematic): The setting up of stones as a memorial after crossing the Jordan parallels the memorial function here—stones mark covenantal acts and teach future generations.
- Exodus 24:4 (thematic): Moses’ earlier erection of an altar and twelve pillars at Sinai resonates with the cultic/commemorative act of setting stones and plastering them as a locus for covenant rites and instruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when you cross the Jordan you shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, on Mount Ebal, and you shall whitewash them with lime.
- And when you have crossed over the Jordan you shall set up these stones that I command you this day on Mount Ebal, and coat them with plaster.
Deu.27.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ובנית: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms,sg
- שם: ADV
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תניף: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ברזל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 20:25 (verbal): Directly parallel legal injunction: when making an altar of stone do not use hewn/cut stones or wield iron on them—same prohibition phrased in Exodus.
- Exodus 20:24 (thematic): Earlier Mosaic command to build an altar of earth/stones for sacrifices; provides the wider cultic context for the prohibition against hewing stones.
- Joshua 8:30-31 (structural): Joshua builds the altar on Mount Ebal 'according to the law of Moses'—a concrete fulfillment of Deut 27:5’s instruction to erect an unhewn stone altar there.
- 1 Kings 18:31-32 (thematic): Elijah repairs/builds the LORD’s altar using twelve stones (one for each tribe), reflecting the tradition of stone altars and the non-hewn-stone practice implied in Deut 27:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God—an altar of stones; you shall not wield iron upon them.
- There you shall build an altar to the LORD your God—an altar of stones; do not use iron tools on them.
Deu.27.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שלמות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- תבנה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- והעלית: VERB,hif,impf,2,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- עולת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
Parallels
- Exodus 20:24-26 (verbal): Gives the same cultic instruction about constructing altars: if you make an altar of stone do not use hewn (cut) stones or lift an iron tool on them — language and prohibition parallel the 'whole stones' requirement.
- Joshua 8:30-31 (quotation): Joshua follows Moses' command and builds an altar on Mount Ebal 'of whole stones' and offers burnt offerings — a direct repetition/application of Deut 27:6.
- Deuteronomy 27:5 (structural): Immediate context to 27:6: the adjoining verse instructs the people to build the altar on Mount Ebal and not to use iron tools — part of the same pericope and legal formulation.
- 1 Kings 18:31 (thematic): Elijah arranges twelve stones to build an altar to Yahweh (on Mount Carmel); while not using the exact prohibition, it echoes the theme of constructing altars from stones (memorial/uncut stones) for rightful worship.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall build the altar of the LORD your God of whole stones; and you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God.
- Build the altar of the LORD your God of whole, unhewn stones, and offer on it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.
Deu.27.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וזבחת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- שלמים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ואכלת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- ושמחת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
Parallels
- Leviticus 7:11 (verbal): Commands concerning the peace (shelamim) offering: sacrifice it, eat of it — language closely parallels Deut 27:7's instruction to offer peace offerings and eat.
- Deuteronomy 12:7 (verbal): Earliest Deuteronomic instruction to eat and rejoice before the LORD at the chosen place — nearly identical ritual language to Deut 27:7 about eating there and rejoicing before God.
- Deuteronomy 14:26 (verbal): Permits spending tithes on food and drink and then ‘eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice’ — echoes Deut 27:7's coupling of communal eating and rejoicing in God's presence.
- Deuteronomy 26:11 (thematic): When presenting firstfruits the worshiper is to ‘rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given’ before the LORD — shares the theme of communal rejoicing before God tied to offerings/thanksgiving.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall sacrifice peace offerings there; you shall eat there and rejoice before the LORD your God.
- You shall present peace offerings there; you shall eat there and rejoice before the LORD your God.
Deu.27.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וכתבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- האבנים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- באר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היטב: ADV
Parallels
- Joshua 8:32 (quotation): Joshua performs the same action—he writes on the stones a copy of the law of Moses—directly echoing Deuteronomy's command.
- Deuteronomy 31:24-26 (verbal): Describes Moses writing down the law and depositing the book with the priests, paralleling the preservation and publicizing of the law.
- Exodus 24:4 (verbal): Reports that Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD, a close verbal parallel about recording the divine law.
- Deuteronomy 17:18-19 (thematic): Instructs the future king to copy and carry a personal written copy of the law, reflecting the broader theme of writing and preserving the Torah.
- Deuteronomy 6:9 (thematic): Commands writing the words of the law on doorposts and gates—another instruction to make the law publicly visible and constantly remembered.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law plainly and conspicuously.
- And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law in plain, clear writing.
Moses and the elders of Israel charged the people, saying, "Keep every commandment that I command you this day."
When you cross the Jordan into the land that the LORD your God gives you, you shall set up large stones and plaster them with lime.
You shall write on them all the words of this law when you cross over, so that when you enter the land that the LORD your God gives you—a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers promised you—
when you have crossed the Jordan you shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, on Mount Ebal and plaster them with lime.
There you shall build an altar to the LORD your God—an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron tool upon them.
You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with whole stones, and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.
You shall sacrifice peace offerings there and eat and rejoice before the LORD your God.
You shall write on the stones all the words of this law in clear writing.