Deuteronomy 27 Commentary

Moses and the elders prescribe the rituals to be performed when Israel arrives in the Promised Land.

Moses (joined now by the Levitical Priests) reaffirms God’s covenantal relationship with Israel.

In these verses, Moses continued to describe the covenant renewal ceremony. He arranged the people of Israel into two sets of six tribes in preparation of the recitation of the blessings and curses that follow. These verses should be read together with Joshua 8:30 – 35, where these instructions are fulfilled.

This section contains a list of twelve curses that the Levites were to recite to the Israelites. Upon hearing each curse, the Israelites are to respond by saying ‘Amen.’