Bible Commentaries

And Moses with the elders of Israel ^a commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.

(a) As God's minister and charged with the same.

^b 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.

(b) God would have his law set up in the borders of the land of Canaan, that all that looked on it might know that the land was dedicated to his service.

And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up [any] ^c iron [tool] upon them.

(c) The altar should not be curiously wrought, because it would continue but for a time: for God would have only one altar in Judah.

And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law ^d very plainly.

(d) That everyone may well read it, and understand it.

Thou ^e shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.

(e) This condition has bound you to it, that if you will be his people, you must keep his laws.

These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and ^f Joseph, and Benjamin:

(f) Meaning, Ephraim and Manasseh.

And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to ^g curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.

(g) Signifying, that if they would not obey God out of love, they would be made to obey out of fear.

Cursed [be] the man that maketh [any] graven or molten ^h image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth [it] in [a] secret [place]. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

(h) Under this he contains all the corruptions of God's service, and the transgression of the first table.

Cursed [be] he that ⁱ setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

(i) Or, condemns; and this applies to the second table.

Cursed [be] he that removeth his neighbour's ^k landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

(k) He condemns all injuries and extortions.

Cursed [be] he that maketh the ^l blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.

(l) Meaning, that does not help and counsel his neighbour.

Cursed [be] he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's ^m skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

(m) In committing wickedness against him, (Leviticus 20:11) ; (Deuteronomy 22:30) ; (Ezekiel 22:10)

Cursed [be] he that lieth with his ⁿ mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.

(n) Meaning, his wife's mother.

Cursed [be] he that smiteth his neighbour ^o secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.

(o) For God that sees in secret, will avenge it.