Deuteronomy 27:6
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 27:6
6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 27 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, faith, hope. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-26: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 27:6
6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
Analysis
Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God. Whole stones reinforces the unhewn requirement - the stones must be complete and unaltered. Fragmented or modified stones are inappropriate for God's altar, teaching that human brokenness and manipulation cannot serve as foundation for worship.
The designation altar of the LORD thy God emphasizes ownership - this is God's altar built according to His specifications. Though Israel constructs it, the altar belongs to God and must conform to His design, not human preferences.
The purpose offer burnt offerings thereon indicates this altar serves sacrificial worship. Burnt offerings represented complete consecration - the entire animal consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication to God. The unhewn altar hosts offerings of complete surrender.
Reformed theology sees the burnt offering as type of Christ's complete self-offering. He gave Himself wholly to God in perfect obedience, providing the complete consecration we cannot achieve.
Historical Context
Burnt offerings ('olah - that which ascends) were entirely consumed on the altar with nothing reserved for human consumption. This represented complete dedication and atonement for sin.
The Mount Ebal altar would be the first altar in the Promised Land, making it foundational for Israel's worship in their new home.
Reflection
- What does the requirement for 'whole' unhewn stones teach about foundations for worship?
- How does the altar belonging to God shape how it must be constructed?
- What does the burnt offering symbolize about complete consecration to God?
- How does Christ as burnt offering fulfill the type of complete self-giving?
- Why must worship foundations be unaltered by human manipulation?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord