Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them. And there you are to build an altarThe directive to build an altar is significant in the Hebrew tradition, as altars were central to worship and sacrifice. The Hebrew word for altar, "mizbeach," comes from a root meaning "to slaughter," indicating its primary function for sacrifices. In the context of Deuteronomy, this command underscores the importance of establishing a place dedicated to God, signifying His presence and the people's commitment to Him. The act of building an altar is both a physical and spiritual preparation for worship, symbolizing obedience and reverence. to the LORD your God
This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between the Israelites and Yahweh. The use of "LORD" in all caps in English translations represents the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, the sacred and personal name of God revealed to Moses. It signifies a covenant relationship, reminding the Israelites of their unique identity as God's chosen people. The phrase "your God" personalizes this relationship, indicating that the altar is not just for any deity, but specifically for Yahweh, who has delivered and sustained them. an altar of stones
The use of stones for the altar is significant both practically and symbolically. Stones are natural, enduring, and unhewn, representing purity and the unaltered creation of God. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, stone altars were common, but the Israelites were instructed to use uncut stones, setting their worship apart from pagan practices. This command reflects a return to simplicity and authenticity in worship, avoiding the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. You must not use an iron tool on them
The prohibition against using iron tools on the stones of the altar is a call to maintain the altar's sanctity and purity. Iron tools, often associated with warfare and human craftsmanship, could symbolize human pride and intervention. By using unhewn stones, the Israelites were reminded that their worship should be free from human manipulation and should reflect God's creation as it is. This command also serves as a metaphor for the purity and holiness required in approaching God, emphasizing that worship should be untainted by human sinfulness or pride. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is delivering God's commandments to the people. 2. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are receiving instructions on how to worship and obey God as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 3. Mount EbalThe location where the altar is to be built, symbolizing a place of covenant renewal and worship. 4. The AltarA structure made of uncut stones, representing purity and obedience to God's specific instructions. 5. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who commands the building of the altar as a sign of worship and covenant. Teaching Points Obedience to God's InstructionsGod's commands are specific and purposeful. The Israelites were to follow His instructions precisely, which teaches us the importance of obedience in our own lives. Simplicity and Purity in WorshipThe use of uncut stones signifies a return to simplicity and purity in worship. Our worship should focus on God, not on human embellishments or efforts. Covenant RenewalBuilding the altar on Mount Ebal was a physical act of renewing the covenant with God. We are reminded to regularly renew our commitment to God and His commandments. Symbolism of StonesStones, unaltered by human tools, symbolize God's creation and sovereignty. In our spiritual lives, we should seek to honor God's creation and His authority. Community and UnityThe altar was a communal project for the Israelites, symbolizing unity in worship. As believers, we are called to come together in unity to worship and serve God. Bible Study Questions 1. Why do you think God specified that the altar should be made of uncut stones? How does this relate to the concept of purity in worship? 2. How can we apply the principle of obedience to God's specific instructions in our daily lives? 3. In what ways can we ensure that our worship remains focused on God rather than on human efforts or embellishments? 4. How does the act of building an altar on Mount Ebal serve as a reminder of the importance of covenant renewal in our relationship with God? 5. What are some practical ways we can foster unity and community in our worship practices today, similar to the communal building of the altar by the Israelites? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:25This verse also instructs that altars should be made of uncut stones, emphasizing the importance of purity and divine creation over human craftsmanship. Joshua 8:30-31Joshua fulfills this command by building an altar on Mount Ebal, demonstrating obedience to God's instructions given through Moses. 1 Kings 18:31-32Elijah builds an altar with twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, showing continuity in the use of stone altars in Israel's worship practices. People Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Moses, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, ZebulunPlaces Beth-baal-peor, Jordan River, Mount Ebal, Mount GerizimTopics Altar, Build, Built, Instrument, Iron, Lift, Moreover, Stones, Tool, Wave, WieldDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 27:5 4336 iron
5583 tools Deuteronomy 27:1-8 4366 stones Deuteronomy 27:1-26 7797 teaching Deuteronomy 27:2-6 5443 pillars Deuteronomy 27:2-8 5574 tablet Library Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten CommandmentsIn Judæa and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and Theology - Jews and Samaritans.
We have no means of determining how long Jesus may have tarried in Jerusalem after the events recorded in the previous two chapters. The Evangelic narrative [1850] only marks an indefinite period of time, which, as we judge from internal probability, cannot have been protracted. From the city He retired with His disciples to the country,' which formed the province of Judæa. There He taught and His disciples baptized. [1851] [1852] From what had been so lately witnessed in Jerusalem, as well …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah How Christ is Made Use of for Justification as a Way.
What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood in the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner, undertaking, and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or a sacrifice for sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his life a ransom to satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made known in the gospel, calling sinners to an accepting of him as their only Mediator, and to a resting upon him for …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was.
That which is said by Moses, that "Gerizim and Ebal were over-against Gilgal," Deuteronomy 11:30, is so obscure, that it is rendered into contrary significations by interpreters. Some take it in that sense, as if it were near to Gilgal: some far off from Gilgal: the Targumists read, "before Gilgal": while, as I think, they do not touch the difficulty; which lies not so much in the signification of the word Mul, as in the ambiguity of the word Gilgal. These do all seem to understand that Gilgal which …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ.
O wretched Man! where shall I begin to describe thine endless misery, who art condemned as soon as conceived; and adjudged to eternal death, before thou wast born to a temporal life? A beginning indeed, I find, but no end of thy miseries. For when Adam and Eve, being created after God's own image, and placed in Paradise, that they and their posterity might live in a blessed state of life immortal, having dominion over all earthly creatures, and only restrained from the fruit of one tree, as a sign …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered? …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 27:5 NIVDeuteronomy 27:5 NLTDeuteronomy 27:5 ESVDeuteronomy 27:5 NASBDeuteronomy 27:5 KJV
Deuteronomy 27:5 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
