Deuteronomy 27:3
And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
Original Language Analysis
וְכָֽתַבְתָּ֣
And thou shalt write
H3789
וְכָֽתַבְתָּ֣
And thou shalt write
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
1 of 28
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
עֲלֵיהֶ֗ן
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֗ן
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דִּבְרֵ֛י
upon them all the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֛י
upon them all the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 28
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַתּוֹרָ֥ה
of this law
H8451
הַתּוֹרָ֥ה
of this law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
6 of 28
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
בְּעָבְרֶ֑ךָ
when thou art passed over
H5674
בְּעָבְרֶ֑ךָ
when thou art passed over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
8 of 28
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
לְמַ֡עַן
H4616
לְמַ֡עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
9 of 28
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תָּבֹ֨א
that thou mayest go in
H935
תָּבֹ֨א
that thou mayest go in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
11 of 28
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵֽי
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵֽי
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
16 of 28
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 #:
17 of 28
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
זָבַ֤ת
that floweth
H2100
זָבַ֤ת
that floweth
Strong's:
H2100
Word #:
20 of 28
to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֛ר
hath promised
H1696
דִּבֶּ֛ר
hath promised
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
24 of 28
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֥ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
25 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵֽי
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵֽי
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
26 of 28
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
Cross References
Deuteronomy 26:9And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.Joshua 8:32And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.Hebrews 10:16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;Joshua 5:6For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.Numbers 14:8If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.Numbers 13:27And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
Historical Context
Inscribing the entire law on plastered stones required substantial work - the Torah contains considerable text. This effort demonstrated serious commitment to making God's word publicly accessible.
The milk and honey description became traditional characterization of Canaan's fertility compared to wilderness regions where Israel wandered.
Questions for Reflection
- What does comprehensive inscription of the law teach about complete disclosure of God's standards?
- How does immediate inscription demonstrate proper priorities?
- Why is blessing inseparably linked to obedience in covenant relationship?
- What does grounding present experience in past promises teach about covenant continuity?
- How should believers publicly declare commitment to God's word?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee. Writing all the words of this law creates public record of covenant requirements. This is not selective quotation but comprehensive inscription of the law, making God's standards fully accessible.
The timing when thou art passed over indicates immediate action. Upon entering Canaan, before settling or conquering, Israel must inscribe the law. This prioritizes covenant commitment above all other concerns.
The description land that floweth with milk and honey contrasts blessing with obligation. Israel receives rich inheritance, but possession depends on covenant faithfulness. Blessing and obedience are inseparably linked.
The phrase as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee grounds present experience in past promises. God's faithfulness to the patriarchal covenant obligates Israel to faithful response.