Deuteronomy 27:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The inscribed stones are to be set up specifically on Mount Ebal, plastered and prepared.
The Context of Deuteronomy 27:4
The stones inscribed with the law are to be erected on Mount Ebal, prepared with plaster.
What Does Deuteronomy 27:4 Mean?
Mount Ebal becomes the geographic anchor for this covenant memorial. Two mountains dominate the landscape after Israel enters Canaan: Ebal and Gerizim, separated by the valley of Shechem. The choice of Ebal is significant—it will be associated with curses (verse 13), emphasizing that the law includes consequences for disobedience.
The repeated instruction to plaster the stones confirms their permanence and visibility. This is not a temporary or hidden memorial but a public declaration. The stones on Ebal serve as a constant reminder that covenant obedience and covenant violation have real weight in God's ordering of the land.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 27:4
What does Deuteronomy 27:4 mean?
The inscribed stones are to be set up specifically on Mount Ebal, plastered and prepared.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 27:4?
The stones inscribed with the law are to be erected on Mount Ebal, prepared with plaster.