Deuteronomy 27:11-14

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 27:11-14

471.

Why the choice of the tribes to bless?

472.

What impression was this whole ceremony to make upon Israel?

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 27:11-14

11 And Moses charged the people the same day, saying.
12 These [tribes] shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have passed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph's [sons], and Benjamin.
13 And these [tribes] shall stand upon Mount Ebal to pronounce the curse [for disobedience]: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14 And the Levites shall declare with a loud voice to all the men of Israel:

COMMENT 27:11-14

On the sides of these two mountains the people were to be placed, half on one and half on the other, while in the vale between (with Shechem to one side) stood the ark, with the Levites. Those who stood on Gerizim responded to the blessings, those on Ebal to the cursings, as these were spoken with a loud voice by the Levites. (Apparently the acoustics were goodJotham later spoke to all Shechem by standing on the top of mount Gerizim, Judges 9:7.[45] See also Deuteronomy 11:26-32.

[45] In consequence of the dispute which arose over the marriage of Manasseh, who belonged to the high-priestly family, with a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite (Nehemiah 13:28), a temple was built on Gerizim as a rival to that in Jerusalem (c 432 B.C.), (I.S.B.E.). This was the beginning of the schism between Jew and Samaritan which lasts to the present day. According to Josephus, however, Sanballat, with the sanction of Alexander the Great, built a temple for the Samaritans on Mt. Gerizim, of which Manasseh became high priest. At any rate, by the time of Jesus the Samaritan of both nations (John 4:12), woman could very truthfully say, Our fathers worshipped in this mountain (John 4:20). Jacob, a common ancestor worshipped either on or near it, Genesis 33:20.

Adam Clarke, following Dr. Parry, positions the tribes of Israel as follows:

According to the Talmud, six tribes went up towards the top of Gerizim and six towards the top of Ebal. The priests and Levites stood beneath the two with the ark. They then turned their faces towards Mount Gerizim and pronounced the blessings (see ch. 28). To this both sides responded with Amen! As the scripture reads, however, the Amen was to come after each curse.
15 Cursed be the man that maketh a graven or molten image, an abomination unto Jehovah, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and setteth it up in secret. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbor's landmark, And all the people shall say, Amen.
18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
19 Cursed be he that wresteth the justice due to the sojourner, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

20 Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife, because he hath uncovered his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
22 Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother, And all the people shall say, Amen.
23 Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbor in secret. And all the people shall say, Amen.
25 Cursed be he that taketh a bribe to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.