Deuteronomy 27:2
And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֗ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּיּוֹם֮
And it shall be on the day
H3117
בַּיּוֹם֮
And it shall be on the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תַּֽעַבְר֣וּ
when ye shall pass over
H5674
תַּֽעַבְר֣וּ
when ye shall pass over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
4 of 20
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 20
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
נֹתֵ֣ן
giveth
H5414
נֹתֵ֣ן
giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וַהֲקֵֽמֹתָ֤
thee that thou shalt set thee up
H6965
וַהֲקֵֽמֹתָ֤
thee that thou shalt set thee up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
14 of 20
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Cross References
Ezekiel 36:26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.Ezekiel 11:19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:Joshua 4:1And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,Joshua 8:31As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
Historical Context
Large plastered stones with inscribed text were known in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Similar monuments marked treaties and important declarations, serving as permanent public records.
Joshua 8:30-32 records the fulfillment of this command, with the stones erected on Mount Ebal and the law written on them.
Questions for Reflection
- What does erecting memorial stones upon entering the land teach about priorities?
- How do physical monuments serve as continuing testimony to covenant commitment?
- Why is public, visible declaration of allegiance to God's law important?
- What does the requirement for clear inscription teach about communicating God's word?
- How might contemporary believers create visible reminders of commitment to God's commands?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set up thee great stones, and plaister them with plaister. The command to erect memorial stones immediately upon entering Canaan demonstrates that covenant commitment must mark the beginning of inheritance. Before enjoying the land's benefits, Israel must publicly declare allegiance to God's law.
The specification great stones ensures visibility - these monuments must be large enough to be noticed and to bear substantial text. Public witness to covenant commitment requires prominent, unmistakable declaration.
Plastering the stones prepares them for inscription. The smooth plastered surface allows clear writing of the law, making the text readable for all who pass by. God's word must be clearly communicated, not obscurely presented.
This physical memorial serves as continuing testimony - future generations would see the stones and be reminded of Israel's covenant obligations and the law's authority.