Deuteronomy – Chapter 27

Old Testament • 26 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And Moses with the ancients of Israel commanded the people, saying: Keep every commandment that I command you this day." — so begins Deuteronomy 27. The chapter centers on Moses, Joseph and Simeon. Across its 26 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and justice and care for the poor. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And Moses with the ancients of Israel commanded the people, saying: Keep every commandment that I command you this day.

2And when you are passed over the Jordan into the land which the Lord thy God will give thee, thou shalt set up great stones, and shalt plaster them over with plaster,

3That thou mayst write on them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over the Jordan: that thou mayst enter into the land which the Lord thy God will give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, as he swore to thy fathers.

4Therefore when you are passed over the Jordan, set up the stones which I command you this day, in mount Hebal, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster:

5And thou shalt build there an altar to the Lord thy God, of stones which iron hath not touched,

6And of stones not fashioned nor polished: and thou shalt offer upon it holocausts to the Lord thy God:

7And shalt immolate peace victims, and eat there, and feast before the Lord thy God.

8And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law plainly and clearly.

9And Moses and the priests of the race of Levi said to all Israel: Attend, and hear, O Israel: This day thou art made the people of the Lord thy God:

10Thou shalt hear his voice, and do the commandments and justices which I command thee.

11And Moses commanded the people in that day, saying:

12These shall stand upon mount Garizim to bless the people, when you are passed the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Juda, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.

13And over against them shall stand on mount Hebal to curse: Ruben, Gad, and Aser, and Zabulon, Dan, and Nephtali.

14And the Levites shall pronounce, and say to all the men of Israel with a loud voice:

15Cursed be the man that maketh a graven and molten thing, the abomination of the Lord, the work of the hands of artificers, and shall put it in a secret place: and all the people shall answer and say: Amen.

16Cursed be he that honoureth not his father and mother: and all the people shall say: Amen.

17Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmarks: and all the people shall say: Amen.

18Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of his way: and all the people shall say: Amen.

19Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, of the fatherless and the widow: and all the people shall say: Amen.

20Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife, and uncovereth his bed: and all the people shall say: Amen.

21Cursed be he that lieth with any beast: and all the people shall say: Amen.

22Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or of his mother: and all the people shall say: Amen.

23Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law: and all the people shall say: Amen.

24Cursed be he that secretly killeth his neighbour: and all the people shall say: Amen.

25Cursed be he that taketh gifts, to slay an innocent person: and all the people shall say: Amen.

26Cursed be he that abideth not in the words of this law, and fulfilleth them not in work: and all the people shall say: Amen.

Important Verses in Deuteronomy 27

“And when you are passed over the Jordan into the land which the Lord thy God will give thee, thou shalt set up great stones, and shalt plaster them over with plaster,”

Deuteronomy 27:2

“And shalt immolate peace victims, and eat there, and feast before the Lord thy God.”

Deuteronomy 27:7

“Cursed be the man that maketh a graven and molten thing, the abomination of the Lord, the work of the hands of artificers, and shall put it in a secret place: and all the people shall answer and say: Amen.”

Deuteronomy 27:15

“Cursed be he that abideth not in the words of this law, and fulfilleth them not in work: and all the people shall say: Amen. ”

Deuteronomy 27:26

Historical Context

Deuteronomy belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the new generation of Israel about to cross the Jordan into Canaan. Chapter 27 of 34 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 26 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Moses, Joseph and Simeon appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "And Moses with the ancients of Israel commanded the people, saying: Keep every commandment that I command you this day." The chapter ends with: "Cursed be he that abideth not in the words of this law, and fulfilleth them not in work: and all the people shall say:…" Read against its original backdrop, Deuteronomy means 'second law': Moses' final sermons on the plains of Moab, renewing the Sinai covenant for the generation about to enter Canaan. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Deuteronomy around Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC.

Who Wrote It

Presented as Moses' farewell discourses; compiled and edited by inspired scribes, likely in the 7th century BC

When It Was Written

Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, Deuteronomy 27 delivers commandments and ritual instructions given under the old covenant. A pivotal line is verse 2: "And when you are passed over the Jordan into the land which the Lord thy God will give thee, thou shalt set up great stones, and shalt plaster them over with…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1095). Here, Jesus cited Deuteronomy's command to love God as the greatest commandment (CIC 2083). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.

People in This Chapter

Moses3 mentionsJoseph1 mentionSimeon1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Deuteronomy Chapter 27 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Thomas Aquinas and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Jesus cited Deuteronomy's command to love God as the greatest commandment (CIC 2083). The passage calls believers to grasp that Love the Lord your God with all your heart.

Let Deuteronomy Chapter 27 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Deuteronomy Chapter 27 about?

Deuteronomy 27 contains 26 verses. It opens with "And Moses with the ancients of Israel commanded the people, saying: Keep every commandment that I command you this day." and closes with "Cursed be he that abideth not in the words of this law, and fulfilleth them not in work: and all the people shall say:…". The book as a whole is covenant discourses and law.

What is a key verse in Deuteronomy 27?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "And when you are passed over the Jordan into the land which the Lord thy God will give thee, thou shalt set up great stones, and shalt plaster them over with plaster," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Deuteronomy Chapter 27?

This chapter mentions Moses, Joseph, Simeon.

Who wrote Deuteronomy and when?

Presented as Moses' farewell discourses; compiled and edited by inspired scribes, likely in the 7th century BC. Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC.

Related Chapters

Ezekiel 48Shares people and themes with this chapterExodus 1Shares people and themes with this chapterJudges 1Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World

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