The Altar on Mount Gaebal
Deuteronomy 27
Moses and the elders instruct the people to set up plastered stones inscribed with the law and build an altar on Mount Gaebal after crossing the Jordan, then Moses assigns the tribes to two mountains while the Levites pronounce a series of curses that the people affirm.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAGAIN Moses, with the elders of Israel, gave a charge, saying, You shall keep all these commandments which I this day command you.
BrentonAnd Moses and the elders of Israel commanded, saying, Keep all these commands, all that I command you this day.
GreekΚαὶ προσέταξε Μωυσῆς καὶ ἡ γερουσία Ἰσραὴλ, λέγων, φυλάσσεσθε πάσας τὰς ἐντολάς ταύτας, ὅσας ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαι ὑμῖν σήμερον.
KJVAnd Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day.
JPSAnd Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying: ‘Keep all the commandment which I command you this day.
2
ThomsonWhen you have crossed the Jordan, into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee; thou shalt set up for thyself large stones, and plaster them with mortar,
BrentonAnd it shall come to pass in the day when ye shall cross over Jordan into the land which the Lord thy God gives thee, that thou shalt set up for thyself great stones, and shalt plaster them with plaster.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ᾗ ἂν ἡμέρᾳ διαβῆτε τὸν Ἰορδάνην εἰς τὴν γῆν, ἣν Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου δίδωσί σοι, καὶ στήσεις σεαυτῷ λίθους μεγάλους, καὶ κονιάσεις αὐτοὺς κονίᾳ.
KJVAnd it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister:
JPSAnd it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over the Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with plaster.
3
Thomsonand thou shalt write on those stones all the words of this law.
BrentonAnd thou shalt write on these stones all the words of this law, as soon as ye have crossed Jordan, when ye are entered into the land, which the Lord God of thy fathers gives thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, according as the Lord God of thy fathers said to thee.
GreekΚαὶ γράψεις ἐπὶ τῶν λίθων τούτων πάντας τούς λόγους τοῦ νόμου τούτου, ὠς ἂν διαβῆτε τὸν Ἰορδάνην, ἡνίκα ἂν εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν γῆν, ἣν Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων σου δίδωσί σοι, γῆν ῥέουσαν γάλα καὶ μέλι, ὃν τρόπον εἶπε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων σού σοί.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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 flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of thy fathers, hath promised thee.
4
ThomsonSoon as you have crossed the Jordan—when you are come to the land which the Lord the God of thy fathers giveth thee—a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord the God of thy fathers promised thee, you shall, immediately after your crossing the Jordan, set up these stones, which I this day command thee, at mount Garizin, and thou shalt plaster them with mortar,
BrentonAnd it shall be as soon as ye are gone over Jordan, ye shall set up these stones, which I command thee this day, on mount Gæbal, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσται ὡς ἂν διαβῆτε τὸν Ἰορδάνην, στήσετε τοὺς λίθους τούτους, οὓς ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαί σοι σήμερον, ἐν ὄρει Γαιβάλ, καὶ κονιάσεις αὐτοὺς κονίᾳ.
KJVTherefore 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.
JPSAnd it shall be when ye are passed over the Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster.
5
Thomsonand build there an altar to the Lord thy God—an altar of stones. Thou shalt not lift up a tool upon it.
BrentonAnd thou shalt build there an altar to the Lord thy God, an altar of stones; thou shalt not lift up iron upon it.
GreekΚαὶ οἰκοδομήσεις ἐκεῖ θυσιαστήριον Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου, θυσιαστήριον ἐκ λίθων· οὐκ ἐπιβαλεῖς ἐπʼ αὐτὸ σίδηρον·
KJVAnd there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.
JPSAnd there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones; thou shalt lift up no iron tool upon them.
6
ThomsonOf unwrought stones thou shalt build the altar to the Lord thy God, and offer upon it whole burnt offerings to the Lord thy God.
BrentonOf whole stones shalt thou build an altar to the Lord thy God, and thou shalt offer upon it whole-burnt-offerings to the Lord thy God.
Greekλίθους ὁλοκλήρους οἰκοδομήσεις θυσιαστήριον Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου, καὶ ἀνοίσεις ἐπʼ αὐτὸ ὁλοκαυτώματα Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου.
KJVThou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
JPSThou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of unhewn stones; and thou shalt offer burnt-offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God.
7
ThomsonThen thou shalt offer there a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and when thou hast eaten, and art filled, and hast rejoiced before the Lord thy God;
BrentonAnd thou shalt there offer a peace-offering; and thou shalt eat and be filled, and rejoice before the Lord thy God.
GreekΚαὶ θύσεις ἐκεῖ θυσίαν σωτηρίου· καὶ φάγῃ, καὶ ἐμπλησθήσῃ, καὶ εὐφρανθήσῃ ἔναντι Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου.
KJVAnd thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God.
JPSAnd thou shalt sacrifice peace-offerings, and shalt eat there; and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God.
8
Thomsonthen thou shalt write upon the stones all this law, in the plainest manner.
BrentonAnd thou shalt write upon the stones all this law very plainly.
GreekΚαὶ γράψεις ἐπὶ τῶν λίθων πάντα τὸν νόμον τοῦτον σαφῶς σφόδρα.
KJVAnd thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.
JPSAnd thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.’
9
ThomsonThen Moses with the priests, the Levites, spoke to all Israel, saying:
BrentonAnd Moses and the priests the Levites spoke to all Israel, saying, Be silent and hear, O Israel; this day thou art become a people to the Lord thy God.
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Μωυσῆς καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς οἱ Λευῖται παντὶ Ἰσραὴλ, λέγοντες, σιώπα καὶ ἄκουε Ἰσραήλ· ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ γέγονας εἰς λαὸν Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου,
KJVAnd Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.
JPSAnd Moses and the priests the Levites spoke unto all Israel, saying: ‘Keep silence, and hear, O Israel; this day thou art become a people unto the LORD thy God.
10
ThomsonBe silent and hear, O Israel. Thou art this day made a people for the Lord thy God; therefore thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and perform all His commandments, and His rules of rectitude, which I this day command thee.
BrentonAnd thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and shalt do all his commands, and his ordinances, as many as I command thee this day.
Greekκαὶ εἰσακούσῃ τῆς φωνῆς Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου, καὶ ποιήσεις πάσας τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα αὐτοῦ, ὅσα ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαί σοι σήμερον.
KJVThou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
JPSThou shalt therefore hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and do His commandments and His statutes, which I command thee this day.’
11
ThomsonThen Moses gave a charge to the people that day, saying:
BrentonAnd Moses charged the people on that day, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐνετείλατο Μωυσῆς τῷ λαῷ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, λέγων,
KJVAnd Moses charged the people the same day, saying,
JPSAnd Moses charged the people the same day, saying:
12
ThomsonHaving crossed the Jordan, these shall stand on mount Garizin to bless the people—Symeon, Levi, Juda, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
BrentonThese shall stand to bless the people on mount Garizin having gone over Jordan; Symeon, Levi, Judas, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
Greekοὗτοι στήσονται εὐλογεῖν τὸν λαὸν ἐν ὄρει Γαριζίν διαβάντες τὸν Ἰορδάνην, Συμεὼν, Λευὶ, Ἰουδας, Ἰσσάχαρ, Ἰωσὴφ, καὶ Βενιαμίν.
KJVThese shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:
JPS’These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are passed over the Jordan: Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin;
13
ThomsonAnd these shall stand at the curse on mount Gaibal: Reuben, Gad, and Aser, Zabulon, Dan, and Nephthaleim;
BrentonAnd these shall stand for cursing on mount Gæbal; Ruben, Gad, and Aser, Zabulon, Dan, and Nephthali.
GreekΚαὶ οὗτοι στήσονται ἐπὶ τῆς κατάρας ἐν ὄρει Γαιβάλ, Ῥουβὴν, Γὰδ, καὶ Ἀσὴρ, Ζαβουλὼν, Δὰν, καὶ Νεφθαλί.
KJVAnd these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
JPSand these shall stand upon mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14
Thomsonand the Levites shall address all Israel, and say with a loud voice:
BrentonAnd the Levites shall answer and say to all Israel with a loud voice,
GreekΚαὶ ἀποκριθέντες ἐροῦσιν οἱ Λευῖται παντὶ Ἰσραὴλ φωνῇ μεγάλῃ,
KJVAnd the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
JPSAnd the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice:
15
ThomsonCursed the man who shall make a graven, or molten image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of artists, though he set it up in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is the man whosoever shall make a graven or molten image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of craftsmen, and shall put it in a secret place: and all the people shall answer and say, So be it.
Greekἐπικατάρατος ἄνθρωπος ὅστις ποιήσει γλυπτὸν καὶ χωνευτὸν, βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ, ἔργον χειρῶν τεχνιτῶν, καὶ θήσει αὐτὸ ἐν ἀποκρύφῳ· καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, ἐροῦσι, γένοιτο.
KJVCursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten 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.
JPSCursed be the man that maketh a graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and setteth it up in secret. And all the people shall answer and say: Amen.
16
ThomsonCursed he who slighteth his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is the man that dishonours his father or his mother: and all the people shall say, So be it.
GreekἘπικατάρατος ὁ ἀτιμάζων πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ μητέρα αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, γένοτιο.
KJVCursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
JPSCursed be he that dishonoureth his father or his mother. And all the people shall say: Amen.
17
ThomsonCursed he who removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is he that removes his neighbour's landmarks: and all the people shall say, So be it.
GreekἘπικατάρατος ὁ μετατιθεὶς ὅρια τοῦ πλησὶον· καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαός, γένοιτο.
KJVCursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
JPSCursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say: Amen.
18
ThomsonCursed he who leadeth the blind out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is he that makes the blind to wander in the way: and all the people shall say, So be it.
GreekἘπικατάρατος ὁ πλανῶν τυφλὸν ἐν ὁδῷ· καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαός, γένοιτο.
KJVCursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
JPSCursed be he that maketh the blind to go astray in the way. And all the people shall say: Amen.
19
ThomsonCursed he who perverteth the judgment of the stranger, or the orphan, or the widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is every one that shall pervert the judgment of the stranger, and orphan, and widow: and all the people shall say, So be it.
GreekἘπικατάρατος ὃς ἂν ἐκκλίνῃ κρίσιν προσηλύτου καὶ ὀρφανοῦ καὶ χήρας· καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαός, γένοιτο.
KJVCursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
JPSCursed be he that perverteth the justice due to the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say: Amen.
20
ThomsonCursed he who lieth with his father’s wife, because he hath uncovered his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is he that lies with his father's wife, because he has uncovered his father's skirt: and all the people shall say, So be it.
GreekἘπικατάρατος ὁ κοιμώμενος μετὰ γυναικὸς τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἀπεκάλυψε συγκάλυμμα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, γένοιτο.
KJVCursed be he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he uncovereth his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
JPSCursed 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
ThomsonCursed he who lieth with any beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is he that lies with any beast: and all the people shall say, So be it.
GreekἘπικατάρατος ὁ κοιμώμενος μετὰ παντὸς κτήνους· καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, γένοιτο.
KJVCursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
JPSCursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say: Amen.
22
ThomsonCursed he who lieth with his sister, by the same father, or mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is he that lies with his sister by his father or his mother: and all the people shall say, So be it.
GreekἘπικατάρατος ὁ κοιμώμενος μετὰ ἀδελφῆς ἐκ πατρὸς ἢ μητρὸς αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαός, γένοιτο.
KJVCursed 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.
JPSCursed 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
ThomsonCursed he who lieth with his daughter in law. And all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed he who lieth with the sister of his wife. And all the people shall say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is he that lies with his daughter-in-law: and all the people shall say, So be it. Cursed is he that lies with his wife's sister: and all the people shall say, So be it.
GreekἘπικατάρατος ὁ κοιμώμενος μετὰ νύμφης αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαός, γένοιτο· ἐπικατάρατος ὁ κοιμώμενος μετὰ τῆς ἀδελφῆς τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, γένοιτο.
KJVCursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
JPSCursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say: Amen.
24
ThomsonCursed he who smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is he that smites his neighbour secretly: and all the people shall say, So be it.
GreekἘπικατάρατος ὁ τύπτων τὸν πλησίον δόλῳ· καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαός, γένοιτο.
KJVCursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
JPSCursed be he that smiteth his neighbour in secret. And all the people shall say: Amen.
25
ThomsonCursed he who taketh bribes to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is he whosoever shall have taken a bribe to slay an innocent man: and all the people shall say, So be it.
GreekἘπικατάρατος ὃς ἂν λάβῃ δῶρα πατάξαι ψυχὴν αἵματος ἀθῴου· καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, γένοιτο.
KJVCursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
JPSCursed be he that taketh a bribe to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say: Amen.
26
ThomsonCursed be every man who will not persevere in all the words of this law, to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
BrentonCursed is every man that continues not in all the words of this law to do them: and all the people shall say, So be it.
GreekἘπικατάρατος πᾶς ἄνθρωπος ὃς οὐκ ἐμμένει ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς λόγοις τοῦ νόμου τούτου ποιῆσαι αὐτούς· καὶ ἐροῦσι πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, γένοιτο.
KJVCursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
JPSCursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say: Amen.’