Read Deuteronomy 27 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew Paragraphs:
27:1-8 {s} Write this Law at the entrance to the Land
27:9-10 {s} Take heed, listen, and observe His commandments
27:11-14 {s} Bless on Mount Gerizim, curse on Mount Ebal
27:15 {s} Cursed is he who makes an image as an idol
27:16 {s} Cursed is he who treats father or mother with contempt
27:17 {s} Cursed is he who moves a boundary stone
27:18 {s} Cursed is he who leads the blind off the road
27:19 {s} Cursed is he who perverts justice due to stranger, fatherless, or widow
27:20 {s} Cursed is he who lies with father’s wife
27:21 {s} Cursed is he who lies with an animal
27:22 {s} Cursed is he who lies with his sister
27:23 {s} Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law
27:24 {s} Cursed is he who attacks his neighbor secretly
27:25 {s} Cursed is he who slays the innocent for a bribe
27:26 {p} Cursed is he who does not conform to all the words of this Law
Deu 27:1-26 makes the next Strong Theme with this Chiastic Structure:
Deu 27:1-26 {sx14+p} Strong Theme: The Law, with its blessings and curses, to stand at the entrance to the Land
Deu 27:1 begins a new speech, which ends with Deu 28:68 at the close quote. Israel is to write all the words of this Law on whitewashed stones at the entrance to the land, on the day they enter the land. This puts me in mind of Deu 6:9, where Israel was commanded to write the words of this Law on their doorposts and gates. Doorposts are at the entrance to the house. Gates are at the entrance to the city. And whitewashed stones are at the entrance to the land.
Why this command to write the Law at entrances? I believe it is to say, that this Law and this conduct applies to all who enter here, whether to those entering the land, those entering the cities, or those entering the home.
The admonition to remember this Law that has now been explained, continues with a repeat of pay heed, listen, and observe (Deu 27:9-10), which we saw also in Deu 4, Deu 5:22-6:3, and Deu 6:4-9 (listen), Deu 6:10-15 (pay heed), and Deu 6:16-19 (observe). Repetition is a Teaching Tool of Scripture!
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