Why Does Deuteronomy 27 Command Israel to Write the Law on Stones and Respond “Amen”?

In Deuteronomy 27, the Israelites were commanded to write the Law on stones after crossing the Jordan and to respond “Amen” each time the Levites proclaimed a curse. These instructions show that entering the Promised Land could not be separated from obeying God’s word in that land. The chapter unfolds through three connected scenes: the word written on stones, sacrifices offered to God, and the response of all the people.

They Were to Write the Law as Soon as They Entered the Land

Moses and the elders began by commanding the people to keep all the commandments. They then instructed them to set up large stones and coat them with plaster on the day they crossed the Jordan into the land God was giving them. After crossing, they were to write all the words of the Law on those stones.

This command is repeated in greater detail in verses 4 and 8. The stones were to be set up on Mount Ebal, and all the words of the Law were to be written on them very clearly. The people were not merely to commemorate their arrival in a new land. They also had to preserve the word they were to obey there in a form that everyone could plainly see.

The passage repeatedly describes the land as a gift from God. At the same time, it calls the people entering it to obey his commands and decrees. The land they received and the word they were to keep appear together in the same scene.

They Offered Sacrifices and Rejoiced at the Stone Altar

The people were also to build an altar to God on Mount Ebal. They were commanded to use natural, uncut stones rather than stones shaped with iron tools. On the altar, they were to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. After presenting the fellowship offerings, they were to eat there and rejoice in the presence of God.

Writing the Law on stones and offering sacrifices at a stone altar were commanded at the same location. On Mount Ebal, the word they were to obey was written down, sacrifices were offered to God, and a place was prepared for them to eat and rejoice before him. The scene was not composed solely of warnings about curses. It also included giving, eating, and rejoicing in God’s presence.

All the People Responded “Amen” to the Same Declarations

Moses and the Levitical priests told all Israel to be silent and listen. They declared, “You have now become the people of the Lord your God,” and called them to obey God’s voice and follow his commands and decrees. Listening was meant to lead to action.

After crossing the Jordan, six tribes were to stand on Mount Gerizim and the other six on Mount Ebal. The Levites were to proclaim the curses in a loud voice to all Israel. The declarations addressed making an idol in secret, dishonoring one’s parents, moving a neighbor’s boundary stone, and leading a blind person astray.

They also included withholding justice from foreigners, orphans, and widows. Violating sexual boundaries, secretly killing a neighbor, and accepting a bribe to kill an innocent person were likewise placed under a curse. After each declaration, all the people were required to answer, “Amen.”

The repeated “Amen” did not allow only a select few to hear and judge these matters. Everyone listened to the same declarations and responded personally. Nothing was excluded from the proclaimed word—not even acts hidden from human sight, from idols made in secret to harm inflicted on neighbors and vulnerable people.

The Word They Recorded and Affirmed Had to Be Obeyed

The final declaration gathers all the preceding commands into one: “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” Once again, all the people were to answer, “Amen.” The process did not end with clearly writing the Law on stones or verbally agreeing with it. The opening command to “keep all these commands” is joined to the closing demand to carry them out.

The heart of Deuteronomy 27 is that people who have seen, heard, and affirmed God’s word must put it into practice. On the day they entered the land, they recorded the word on stones, and the entire community heard its declarations proclaimed aloud. They then answered “Amen” to each one and finally affirmed together that every word of the Law must be obeyed.

Today, read Deuteronomy 27 again and write down one of the declarations followed by the repeated “Amen.” Then choose one specific action you can take today to avoid violating that command. This follows the chapter’s own movement from recording and responding to putting God’s word into practice.