Deuteronomy 27:11-26

What does the people’s repeated response to the curses acknowledge?

Berean Standard Bible

11 On that day Moses commanded the people: 12 “When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to deliver the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 Then the Levites shall proclaim in a loud voice to every Israelite: 15 ‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 16 ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 17 ‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 18 ‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 19 ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 20 ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 21 ‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 22 ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 23 ‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 24 ‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 25 ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ 26 ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

What is the context?

The tribes are assigned to Gerizim and Ebal for the blessing-and-curse ceremony. The Levites pronounce curses, and all the people are to respond with agreement.

The named offenses include secret idols, contempt for parents, moving boundaries, misleading a blind person, denying justice to vulnerable people, sexual violations, secret killing, and bribery to kill the innocent. The list reaches acts a person might conceal as well as public wrongs.

The final curse concerns failure to put the law into practice. Participating in the ceremony does not replace obedience; the people acknowledge the seriousness of the Lord’s commands and of breaking them.

How is this passage commonly understood?

The USCCB notes understand the response as accepting the covenant’s requirements and the sanctions for disloyalty. Wesley likewise reads it as acknowledging the justice of the stated curses and connects the final sentence with the need for redemption. His proposed meaning for the tribes’ placement is a further Christian interpretation, not an explanation supplied by the ceremony itself.

Where does this fit in God's plan?

Galatians 3:10–14 explicitly cites the final curse in explaining why reliance on works of the law cannot deliver justification. Paul then announces redemption through Christ’s becoming a curse for others, so that the blessing promised to Abraham reaches Gentiles and the Spirit is received through faith. The New Testament connection is directly stated and does not require treating the two mountains as two modern religious populations.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

The Gospel According to Jesus

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