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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 27:5 Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/27-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/05_Deu_27_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 27:5 - The Altar on Mount Ebal" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. 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Do not use any iron tool on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/27.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Then build an altar there to the LORD your God, using natural, uncut stones. You must not shape the stones with an iron tool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/27.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/27.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/27.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up <i>any</i> iron <i>tool</i> upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/27.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not use an iron <i>tool</i> on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/27.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron <i>tool</i> on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/27.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron tool on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/27.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron <i>tool</i> on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/27.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Moreover, you shall build there an altar to Yahweh your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron <i>tool</i> on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/27.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />There you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not use an iron tool on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/27.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Build an altar of stones there to the LORD your God—do not use any iron tool on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/27.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Build an altar of stones there to the LORD your God—you must not use any iron tool on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/27.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And there shalt thou build an altar unto Jehovah thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt lift up no iron tool upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/27.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />At this same place, build an altar for offering sacrifices to the LORD your God. But don't use stones that have been cut with iron tools. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/27.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt lift up no iron tool upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/27.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Build an altar of stones there dedicated to the LORD your God. Don't use an iron chisel on the stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/27.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Build an altar there made of stones that have had no iron tools used on them, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/27.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then build an altar there to the LORD your God, an altar of stones that hasn't been worked with iron tools. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/27.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/27.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then you must build an altar there to the LORD your God, an altar of stones--do not use an iron tool on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/27.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />There you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones: you shall lift up no iron on them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/27.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And there shalt thou build an altar to the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/27.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />There you shall build an altar to Yahweh your God, an altar of stones. You shall not use any iron tool on them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/27.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and built an altar there to your God YHWH, an altar of stones; you do not wave iron over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/27.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and built there an altar to Jehovah thy God, an altar of stones, thou dost not wave over them iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/27.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And build there an altar to Jehovah thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up iron upon them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/27.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And thou shalt build there an altar to the Lord thy God, of stones which iron hath not touched, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/27.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />and you shall build, in that place, an altar to the Lord your God out of stones which have not been touched by iron,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/27.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and you shall build there an altar to the LORD, your God, an altar made of stones that no iron tool has touched.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/27.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And you shall build an altar there to the LORD your God, an altar of stones on which you have not used an iron tool.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/27.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And there you shall build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not lift up any iron tool upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/27.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And build there an altar to LORD JEHOVAH your God, an altar of stones and do not lift up iron on them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/27.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones; thou shalt lift up no iron tool upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/27.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt build there an altar to the Lord thy God, an altar of stones; thou shalt not lift up iron upon it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=7128" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/27.htm">The Altar on Mount Ebal</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>And when you have crossed the Jordan, you are to set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you are to coat them with plaster. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: ū·ḇā·nî·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">Moreover, you are to build</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·bê·aḥ (N-ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">an altar</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">to the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·baḥ (N-msc) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">an altar of</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: ’ă·ḇā·nîm (N-fp) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">stones.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5130.htm" title="5130: ṯā·nîp̄ (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle. A primitive root; to quiver; used in a great variety of applications.">use</a> <a href="/hebrew/1270.htm" title="1270: bar·zel (N-ms) -- Iron. Perhaps from the root of Birzowth; iron; by extension, an iron implement.">any iron tool</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on them.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25</a></span><br />Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/8-30.htm">Joshua 8:30-31</a></span><br />At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the LORD, the God of Israel, / just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: “an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used.” And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD, and they sacrificed peace offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/6-7.htm">1 Kings 6:7</a></span><br />The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/24-4.htm">Exodus 24:4</a></span><br />And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31-32</a></span><br />And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.” / And with the stones, Elijah built an altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-3.htm">Isaiah 65:3</a></span><br />to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/16-10.htm">2 Kings 16:10-11</a></span><br />Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria. On seeing the altar in Damascus, King Ahaz sent Uriah the priest a model of the altar and complete plans for its construction. / And Uriah the priest built the altar according to all the instructions King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, and he completed it before King Ahaz returned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-1.htm">2 Chronicles 4:1</a></span><br />He made a bronze altar twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-28.htm">Ezekiel 20:28</a></span><br />When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out their drink offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-18</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-10.htm">Hebrews 13:10</a></span><br />We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20-24</a></span><br />Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.” / “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24-25</a></span><br />The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And there shall you build an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones: you shall not lift up any iron tool on them.</p><p class="hdg">And there</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/24-4.htm">Exodus 24:4</a></b></br> And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/8-30.htm">Joshua 8:30,31</a></b></br> Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/18-31.htm">1 Kings 18:31,32</a></b></br> And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: … </p><p class="hdg">thou shalt not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25</a></b></br> And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/26-4.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-9.htm">Build</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-20.htm">Built</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-17.htm">Instrument</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-9.htm">Iron</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-4.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-16.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-4.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/exodus/32-4.htm">Tool</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-14.htm">Use</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Wave</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-25.htm">Wield</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/27-6.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-6.htm">Build</a> <a href="/joshua/2-15.htm">Built</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">Instrument</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-23.htm">Iron</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-40.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-45.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-6.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-7.htm">Tool</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-30.htm">Use</a> <a href="/judges/9-9.htm">Wave</a> <a href="/judges/5-14.htm">Wield</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 27</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-1.htm">The people are commanded to write the law upon stones</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">and to build an altar of whole stones</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-11.htm">The tribes to be divided on Gerizim and Ebal</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-14.htm">The curses to be pronounced on mount Ebal</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The altar is to be built on Mount Ebal, a location significant for its role in the covenant renewal ceremony. The altar signifies worship and dedication to God, emphasizing the importance of obedience and reverence. Altars in the Old Testament were places of sacrifice and communion with God, symbolizing the people's relationship with Him. This command reflects the continuity of worship practices established by the patriarchs, such as Abraham, who also built altars to the Lord (<a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7</a>).<p><b>an altar of stones</b><br>The use of stones for the altar connects to the ancient practice of using natural, unhewn materials for sacred purposes. Stones symbolize permanence and strength, reflecting the enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel. The choice of stones also ties to the memorial stones set up by Joshua in the Jordan River (<a href="/joshua/4-20.htm">Joshua 4:20-24</a>), serving as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the people's deliverance. The unaltered stones emphasize purity and the unchanging nature of God's commands.<p><b>You must not use any iron tool on them</b><br>This prohibition against using iron tools highlights the importance of maintaining the altar's natural state, free from human alteration. It underscores the idea that worship should be pure and untainted by human pride or craftsmanship. This command can be seen as a safeguard against idolatry, ensuring that the focus remains on God rather than on human achievement. The use of uncut stones is also a reminder of God's creation and His sovereignty over all things. This principle is echoed in <a href="/exodus/20-25.htm">Exodus 20:25</a>, where God instructs that altars should not be built with cut stones, reinforcing the theme of divine holiness and purity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites who is delivering God's commandments to the people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who are receiving instructions on how to worship and obey God as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_ebal.htm">Mount Ebal</a></b><br>The location where the altar is to be built, symbolizing a place of covenant renewal and worship.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_altar.htm">The Altar</a></b><br>A structure made of uncut stones, representing purity and obedience to God's specific instructions.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The God of Israel, who commands the building of the altar as a sign of worship and covenant.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_instructions.htm">Obedience to God's Instructions</a></b><br>God's commands are specific and purposeful. The Israelites were to follow His instructions precisely, which teaches us the importance of obedience in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/simplicity_and_purity_in_worship.htm">Simplicity and Purity in Worship</a></b><br>The use of uncut stones signifies a return to simplicity and purity in worship. Our worship should focus on God, not on human embellishments or efforts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_renewal.htm">Covenant Renewal</a></b><br>Building the altar on Mount Ebal was a physical act of renewing the covenant with God. We are reminded to regularly renew our commitment to God and His commandments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_stones.htm">Symbolism of Stones</a></b><br>Stones, unaltered by human tools, symbolize God's creation and sovereignty. In our spiritual lives, we should seek to honor God's creation and His authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_unity.htm">Community and Unity</a></b><br>The altar was a communal project for the Israelites, symbolizing unity in worship. As believers, we are called to come together in unity to worship and serve God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_27.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 27</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_ban_iron_tools_for_altars_evidence.htm">Why is the use of iron tools prohibited when constructing the altar in Deuteronomy 27:5, and does archaeology support this command? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_it_mean_to_emulate_jesus.htm">What is the significance of Mount Ebal?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_significance_of_mount_ebal.htm">What is the significance of Mount Ebal?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_joshua's_altar_align_with_history.htm">How does Joshua's altar-building on Mount Ebal (Joshua 8:30-35) align with other historical records of Canaanite territory?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/27.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">An altar of stones.</span>--Rashi propounds the theory that these stones were taken from Jordan. But there is nothing to countenance this theory in the words of the text.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/27.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 5-7.</span> - Besides the monumental stones, an altar of whole stones, on which no tool had passed (cf. <a href="/exodus/20-22.htm">Exodus 20:22</a>) was to be erected, and burnt offerings and peace offerings were to be presented as at the establishment of the covenant at Sinai, followed by the statutory festive entertainment (cf. <a href="/exodus/24-5.htm">Exodus 24:5</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Moreover, you shall build</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבָנִ֤יתָ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇā·nî·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there</span><br /><span class="heb">שָּׁם֙</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an altar</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְבֵּ֔חַ</span> <span class="translit">(miz·bê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">לַיהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your God,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an altar of</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְבַּ֣ח</span> <span class="translit">(miz·baḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">stones.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבָנִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stone</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">use</span><br /><span class="heb">תָנִ֥יף</span> <span class="translit">(ṯā·nîp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5130.htm">Strong's 5130: </a> </span><span class="str2">To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">any iron tool</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּרְזֶֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(bar·zel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1270.htm">Strong's 1270: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iron, an iron implement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on them.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Deuteronomy 27:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 27:5 There you shall build an altar (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 27:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 27:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 27:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 27:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>