Deuteronomy Chapter 11 · Verse 29
And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֗ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בָא
hath brought thee in
H935
בָא
hath brought thee in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֣ה
And it shall come to pass when the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
And it shall come to pass when the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָא
hath brought thee in
H935
בָא
hath brought thee in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
10 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁ֖מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֖מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
11 of 23
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ
to possess
H3423
לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ
to possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
12 of 23
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
וְנָֽתַתָּ֤ה
it that thou shalt put
H5414
וְנָֽתַתָּ֤ה
it that thou shalt put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
13 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַ֥ר
upon mount
H2022
הַ֥ר
upon mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
17 of 23
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
Joshua 8:30-35 records fulfillment of this command after Ai's conquest. Shechem held historical significance: Abraham first worshiped there (Genesis 12:6-7); Jacob buried foreign gods there (Genesis 35:4); Joshua later gathered Israel there for covenant renewal (Joshua 24). The site connects Mosaic covenant to patriarchal promises. Modern Nablus sits near ancient Shechem, between Mount Gerizim (sacred to Samaritans even today) and Mount Ebal. Archaeological excavations confirm ancient settlement there.
Questions for Reflection
- How do physical, memorable ceremonies (baptism, communion) reinforce covenant commitment today?
- Why does God use sensory, experiential means (sight, sound, geography) to communicate spiritual truth?
- What role do visible signs and communal witnesses play in strengthening individual and corporate faithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
Moses commands a covenantal ceremony: 'when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land...thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.' This refers to the ceremony of Deuteronomy 27:11-26 and Joshua 8:30-35. Gerizim and Ebal are adjacent mountains near Shechem with a valley between, creating natural amphitheater. Six tribes on each mountain would hear blessings and curses, dramatizing the chapter 28 alternatives. This visual, auditory, geographic embodiment of choice would make covenant terms unforgettable. The ceremony's location in central Canaan would mark the heart of the promised land with covenant commitment.