1
וַיְצַ֤ו מֹשֶׁה֙ וְזִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶת הָעָ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר שָׁמֹר֙ אֶת כָּל הַמִּצְוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם הַיּֽוֹם
Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying: Keep all the commandment that I am commanding you today.
Opens a new literary unit within Moses' third address with a wayyiqtol, joining the elders to Moses' own authority; the charge is 'the whole commandment,' setting up the specific instructions that follow.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיְצַ֤וand he commandedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (main narrative clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the chapter's opening act of commandצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge'; the verb governing the entire chapter, introducing a joint charge from Moses and the elders.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesNp · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of the verb of commandמֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses', the covenant mediator; here paired with the elders as joint speakers of this charge.
וְזִקְנֵ֣יand the elders ofconj וְ + adj/N m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Coordinate subject (with מֹשֶׁה) of וַיְצַוזָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; construct plural, 'elders of Israel' — tribal leadership named alongside Moses as co-authority for this charge.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, completing construct זִקְנֵייִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the nation's name; here defines whose elders join Moses in the charge.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעָם as the definite direct object of וַיְצַו; untranslated.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וַיְצַועַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; the addressee of the joint command, all Israel assembled at the Jordan's edge.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Introduces direct speech (quotative infinitive)→ Infinitive construct: nominalized action, functioning as a quotation markerאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard infinitival formula introducing reported speech, here launching the command proper.
שָׁמֹר֙keepQal inf abs (imperatival) · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate of the quoted command (infinitive absolute used for imperative force)→ Infinitive absolute standing for the imperative: an emphatic, unconditional charge to keepשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; the infinitive absolute here carries full imperatival force, opening the chapter's central demand.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking כָּל הַמִּצְוָה as the object of שָׁמֹר; untranslated.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַמִּצְוָהכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole'; construct before הַמִּצְוָה, 'the whole commandment' — comprehensive, not selective, obedience.
הַמִּצְוָ֔הthe commandmentart + N f sg abs · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive complement in construct chain; antecedent of אֲשֶׁרמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; singular collective for the whole body of instruction Moses is delivering, specified by the relative clause that follows.
אֲשֶׁ֧רthat/whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clause modifying הַמִּצְוָהאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative 'who/which/that'; introduces the clause identifying the commandment as Moses' own present charge.
אָנֹכִ֛יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject of מְצַוֶּהאָנֹכִי (H595) emphatic first-person pronoun 'I'; underscores Moses' personal authority as the one presently commanding, even as the elders stand with him.
מְצַוֶּ֥הam commandingPiel ptc m sg abs · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (durative present, main verb of relative clause)→ Participle: durative present — an ongoing, immediate act of commanding, not a past decreeצָוָה (H6680) Piel participle, 'commanding'; the durative aspect stresses this is Moses' present, living charge, spoken 'today.'
אֶתְכֶ֖םyouobj marker · אֵת (H853) + 2mp suffixDirect object of מְצַוֶּהאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, 'you'; the addressee of Moses' ongoing charge — all Israel poised to cross the Jordan.
הַיּֽוֹםtodayart + N m sg abs (adverbial) · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with the article used adverbially, 'today' — Deuteronomy's characteristic stress on the immediacy of the covenant demand.
2
וְהָיָ֗ה בַּיּוֹם֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּעַבְר֣וּ אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן֒ אֶל הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֣ן לָ֑ךְ וַהֲקֵמֹתָ֤ לְךָ֙ אֲבָנִ֣ים גְּדֹל֔וֹת וְשַׂדְתָּ֥ אֹתָ֖ם בַּשִּֽׂיד
And it shall be, on the day that you cross the Jordan into the land that YHWH your God is giving you, that you shall set up for yourself large stones and coat them with plaster.
A protasis-apodosis construction (וְהָיָה...) introduces the memorial-stone ceremony, framed as a future certainty tied to the Jordan crossing rather than a mere possibility.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְהָיָ֗הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb introducing the temporal protasis-apodosis construction→ Weqatal: a future consequential act, continuing the instructional sequenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; the formula וְהָיָה introduces a future temporal clause, here anticipating the crossing of the Jordan.
בַּיּוֹם֮on the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (fronted setting for the relative clause)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article and preposition, 'on the day [that]' — introduces the temporal frame for the whole memorial-stone ceremony.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing temporal clause modifying בַּיּוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; specifies which day — the day of the Jordan crossing.
תַּעַבְר֣וּyou crossQal impf 2mp · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb of the temporal relative clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the anticipated, not-yet-realized act of crossingעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over, cross'; here the Jordan crossing that inaugurates the land's possession and structures the whole chapter's timing.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking הַיַּרְדֵּן as the object of תַּעַבְרוּ; untranslated.
הַיַּרְדֵּן֒the Jordanart + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Direct object of תַּעַבְרוּיַרְדֵּן (H3383) the Jordan River, the boundary crossed into the promised land; its crossing is the hinge event triggering these covenant-renewal rites.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of destination, parallel to the crossingאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; marks the destination of the crossing — the land YHWH is giving.
הָאָ֕רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition אֶלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the promised land, object of entry and antecedent of the following relative clause.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the standard Deuteronomic land-gift formula.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the gift-formula 'YHWH your God is giving you.'
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'; the covenantal epithet binding YHWH to Israel personally and nationally.
נֹתֵ֣ןis givingQal ptc m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle, main verb of relative clause→ Participle: durative present — the land-gift is an ongoing divine act, not a completed past transactionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the participle is Deuteronomy's characteristic formula for the land as YHWH's continuing gift.
לָ֑ךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suffix · לְ (l)Indirect object of נֹתֵןלְ with anomalous 2fs-pointed suffix (a known Deuteronomic scribal peculiarity) though addressing Israel as 'you' (ms); 'to you,' the recipient of the land.
וַהֲקֵמֹתָ֤and you shall set upconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2ms · הֵקִים (H6965)Predicate verb, main clause of the apodosis→ Weqatal: a future consequential command — the required act once the crossing occursקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise, set up, establish'; here of physically erecting the memorial stones — the same root recurs climactically in v.26's יָקִים, 'uphold.'
לְךָ֙for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffixDative of interest/benefitלְ with 2ms suffix, 'for yourself'; marks Israel's own stake in setting up the stones.
אֲבָנִ֣יםstonesN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Direct object of וַהֲקֵמֹתָאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; the great memorial stones central to this chapter's whole ceremony, to be plastered and inscribed with the torah.
גְּדֹל֔וֹתlargeadj f pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying אֲבָנִיםגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; stresses the monumental, public scale of the stones.
וְשַׂדְתָּ֥and you shall coatconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שׂוּד (H7874)Predicate verb, continuing the sequence of required acts→ Weqatal: a further future consequential actשִׂיד/שׂוּד (H7874) 'to plaster, coat with lime'; the stones are whitewashed to receive the inscribed text, paralleling Egyptian and Levantine monumental practice.
אֹתָ֖םthemobj marker · אֵת (H853) + 3mp suffixDirect object of וְשַׂדְתָּאֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, referring back to אֲבָנִים, 'them' (the stones).
בַּשִּֽׂידwith plasterprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שִׂיד (H7875)Adverbial instrumental prepositional phraseשִׂיד (H7875) 'lime, plaster'; the whitewash coating that will receive the written torah text.
3
וְכָתַבְתָּ֣ עֲלֵיהֶ֗ן אֶֽת כָּל דִּבְרֵ֛י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בְּעָבְרֶ֑ךָ לְמַ֡עַן אֲשֶׁר֩ תָּבֹ֨א אֶל הָאָ֜רֶץ אֲֽשֶׁר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֣יךָ נֹתֵ֣ן לְךָ֗ אֶ֣רֶץ זָבַ֤ת חָלָב֙ וּדְבַ֔שׁ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽי אֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ לָֽךְ
And you shall write on them all the words of this torah, when you cross over, so that you may enter the land that YHWH your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as YHWH, the God of your fathers, spoke to you.
Specifies that the stones are to be inscribed with 'all the words of this torah'; the purpose clause (לְמַעַן) grounds the whole ceremony in successful possession of the land promised to the fathers.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
וְכָתַבְתָּ֣and you shall writeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · כָּתַב (H3789)Predicate verb, main clause continuing the sequence of required acts→ Weqatal: a further future consequential commandכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; the second required act after plastering — inscribing the torah text on the stones.
עֲלֵיהֶ֗ןon themprep עַל + 3fp suffixAdverbial locative complement of וְכָתַבְתָּעַל (H5921) with 3fp suffix, referring back to the (feminine plural) stones אֲבָנִים, 'on them.'
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking כָּל דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה as the object of וְכָתַבְתָּ; untranslated.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing דִּבְרֵיכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all the words' — total, not partial, transcription of the torah.
דִּבְרֵ֛יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct chain, genitive complement of כָּלדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; construct plural, 'the words of' — the entirety of the torah's text to be inscribed.
הַתּוֹרָ֥הthe torahart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive complement in construct chain; antecedent of demonstrative הַזֹּאתתּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law'; Deuteronomy's own teaching to be publicly inscribed as a permanent witness.
הַזֹּ֖אתthisart + demonstrative pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַתּוֹרָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; specifies the torah as the very instruction Moses is now delivering.
בְּעָבְרֶ֑ךָwhen you crossprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2ms suffix · עָבַר (H5674)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: nominalized action, 'in your crossing' — the temporal marker for the writingעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross'; infinitive construct with prefixed בְּ and pronominal subject, 'when/as you cross' — pinning the writing to the crossing itself.
לְמַ֡עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction introducing final clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that, so that'; introduces the purpose of the whole ceremony — successful entry into the land.
אֲשֶׁר֩[that]relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Complementizer completing לְמַעַן (idiom לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר, 'so that')אֲשֶׁר (H834); combines with לְמַעַן as a compound purpose conjunction.
תָּבֹ֨אyou may enterQal impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the purpose clause→ Yiqtol: modal — the intended, purposed outcome of obedienceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the purpose of writing the torah is bound to successful entry into the land.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of destinationאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; destination of the entry.
הָאָ֜רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition אֶלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, described in the next clause as flowing with milk and honey.
אֲֽשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the land-gift formula.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the gift-formula.
אֱלֹהֶ֣יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God.'
נֹתֵ֣ןis givingQal ptc m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle, main verb of relative clause→ Participle: durative presentנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the ongoing gift-formula.
לְךָ֗to youprep לְ + 2ms suffixIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ with 2ms suffix, 'to you.'
אֶ֣רֶץa landN (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Appositive to הָאָרֶץ, further describing the landאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in apposition, introducing the stock description that follows.
זָבַ֤תflowing withQal ptc f sg constr · זוּב (H2100)Attributive participle in construct, modifying אֶרֶץ→ Participle: characterizing, ongoing state ('flowing')זוּב (H2100) 'to flow, gush'; construct participle, 'flowing with' — the classic epithet of the land's abundance.
חָלָב֙milkN m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Genitive complement of זָבַתחָלָב (H2461) 'milk'; part of the stock formula 'milk and honey' symbolizing pastoral and agricultural abundance.
וּדְבַ֔שׁand honeyconj וְ + N m sg abs · דְּבַשׁ (H1706)Coordinate genitive complement of זָבַתדְּבַשׁ (H1706) 'honey' (likely fruit/date syrup); completes the land's proverbial description of abundance.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing a confirming clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834 with כְּ) 'just as, according to as'; grounds the land-gift in prior divine promise to the patriarchs.
דִּבֶּ֛רhe spokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of speaking, the prior patriarchal promise now being fulfilledדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the promise YHWH previously spoke to the fathers, now coming to realization.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068); subject of the promise-fulfillment clause.
אֱלֹהֵֽיthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה, construct governing אֲבֹתֶיךָאֱלֹהִים (H430) construct, 'the God of'; ties the present promise to the patriarchal covenant.
אֲבֹתֶ֖יךָyour fathersN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complement of אֱלֹהֵיאָב (H1) 'father'; plural with suffix, 'your fathers' — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, recipients of the original land oath.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suffixIndirect object, resuming/confirming the promise's addresseeלְ with anomalous 2fs-pointed suffix, addressing Israel; 'to you' — closing echo of the promise formula.
4
וְהָיָה֮ בְּעָבְרְכֶ֣ם אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן֒ תָּקִ֜ימוּ אֶת הָאֲבָנִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֜י מְצַוֶּ֥ה אֶתְכֶ֛ם הַיּ֖וֹם בְּהַ֣ר עֵיבָ֑ל וְשַׂדְתָּ֥ אוֹתָ֖ם בַּשִּֽׂיד
And it shall be, when you cross the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, which I am commanding you today, on Mount Ebal, and coat them with plaster.
Restates vv.2-3's command almost verbatim but now names the site, Mount Ebal — the mountain later identified as the curse-mountain (v.13), a juxtaposition ancient and modern commentators have found striking.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְהָיָה֮and it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb introducing the temporal protasis-apodosis construction→ Weqatal: a future consequential act, restating the instruction of v.2הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; repeats the formula of v.2, now specifying the site (Mount Ebal).
בְּעָבְרְכֶ֣םwhen you crossprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2mp suffix · עָבַר (H5674)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: nominalized action, 'in your crossing'עָבַר (H5674) 'to cross'; infinitive construct with 2mp suffix, temporally anchoring the command to the crossing.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking הַיַּרְדֵּן as the object of בְּעָבְרְכֶם; untranslated.
הַיַּרְדֵּן֒the Jordanart + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Direct object of the infinitive עָבְרְכֶםיַרְדֵּן (H3383) the Jordan River, again marking the crossing that triggers the stone ceremony.
תָּקִ֜ימוּyou shall set upHiphil impf 2mp · הֵקִים (H6965)Predicate verb, main clause of the apodosis→ Yiqtol with imperatival/future force: the required act, restated with plural addressees (all Israel)קוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise, set up'; repeats v.2's verb, now specifying that the stones go up on Mount Ebal itself.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking הָאֲבָנִים as the object of תָּקִימוּ; untranslated.
הָאֲבָנִ֣יםthe stonesart + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Direct object of תָּקִימוּאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; now definite, referring back to the stones commanded in v.2.
הָאֵ֗לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאֲבָנִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; ties the present command back to the specific stones just introduced.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאֲבָנִים הָאֵלֶּהאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces Moses' present-tense authorizing clause.
אָנֹכִ֜יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject of מְצַוֶּהאָנֹכִי (H595) emphatic 'I'; Moses' personal authorization, as in v.1 and v.10.
מְצַוֶּ֥הam commandingPiel ptc m sg abs · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (durative present, main verb of relative clause)→ Participle: durative present — an ongoing, immediate act of commandingצָוָה (H6680) Piel participle, 'commanding'; repeats the durative formula of v.1, insisting the stones are Mosaic instruction, not later invention.
אֶתְכֶ֛םyouobj marker · אֵת (H853) + 2mp suffixDirect object of מְצַוֶּהאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, 'you' — the addressee of the ongoing charge.
הַיּ֖וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs (adverbial) · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; adverbial 'today,' Deuteronomy's stress on the address's immediacy.
בְּהַ֣רon Mountprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase, construct governing עֵיבָלהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill'; construct, 'on Mount' — locating the stones specifically.
עֵיבָ֑לEbalproper noun · עֵיבָל (H5858)Genitive complement in construct chainעֵיבָל (H5858), the northern of the two mountains flanking Shechem; strikingly the curse-mountain (v.13) is where the stones and altar go — the Samaritan Pentateuch instead reads Gerizim here, a famous text-critical crux tied to Samaritan claims for their own sanctuary.
וְשַׂדְתָּ֥and you shall coatconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שׂוּד (H7874)Predicate verb, continuing the sequence of required acts→ Weqatal: a further future consequential actשִׂיד/שׂוּד (H7874) 'to plaster'; repeats v.2's instruction, now with the site specified.
אוֹתָ֖םthemobj marker · אֵת (H853) + 3mp suffixDirect object of וְשַׂדְתָּאֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, referring to the stones, 'them.'
בַּשִּֽׂידwith plasterprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שִׂיד (H7875)Adverbial instrumental prepositional phraseשִׂיד (H7875) 'lime, plaster'; repeats v.2's instrumental phrase.
5
וּבָנִ֤יתָ שָּׁם֙ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ מִזְבַּ֣ח אֲבָנִ֔ים לֹא תָנִ֥יף עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם בַּרְזֶֽל
And you shall build there an altar to YHWH your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield iron over them.
Introduces the altar command as distinct from, though adjacent to, the inscribed stones; the prohibition on wielding iron directly echoes the altar law of Exodus 20:25.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וּבָנִ֤יתָand you shall buildconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate verb, new instruction following the stone-writing command→ Weqatal: a further future consequential commandבָּנָה (H1129) 'to build'; introduces the altar-building instruction, distinct from (but adjacent to) the inscribed memorial stones.
שָּׁם֙thereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial locative complement of וּבָנִיתָשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; refers to Mount Ebal, the site just named.
מִזְבֵּ֔חַan altarN m sg abs · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Direct object of וּבָנִיתָמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar', from זָבַח 'to sacrifice'; the cultic structure central to this covenant-renewal ceremony.
לַיהוָ֖הto YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement specifying the altar's recipientיְהוָה (H3068) with prefixed לְ, 'to/for YHWH'; the altar is dedicated exclusively to Israel's God.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God.'
מִזְבַּ֣חan altar ofN m sg constr · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Appositive to מִזְבֵּחַ, construct governing אֲבָנִיםמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) construct, 'altar of'; specifies the required material — stones, not hewn masonry or metal.
אֲבָנִ֔יםstonesN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitive complement of מִזְבַּחאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; the altar's required material, echoing Exodus 20:25's altar-of-stone law.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תָנִיףלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle; here a permanent prohibition on the altar's construction.
תָנִ֥יףshall you wieldHiphil impf 2ms · הֵנִיף (H5130)Predicate verb, negated prohibition→ Yiqtol with negation: a durative prohibition, 'you must not swing/wield'נוּף (H5130) Hiphil 'to swing, wave, wield'; here of wielding a cutting tool over the stones — direct echo of Exodus 20:25's altar law forbidding hewn stone touched by iron.
עֲלֵיהֶ֖םover themprep עַל + 3mp suffixAdverbial complement of תָנִיףעַל (H5921) with 3mp suffix, 'over them' (the stones).
בַּרְזֶֽלironN m sg abs · בַּרְזֶל (H1270)Direct object of תָנִיףבַּרְזֶל (H1270) 'iron'; the forbidden tool-metal — human craftsmanship must not profane the altar's natural stone.
6
אֲבָנִ֤ים שְׁלֵמוֹת֙ תִּבְנֶ֔ה אֶת מִזְבַּ֖ח יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ וְהַעֲלִ֤יתָ עָלָיו֙ עוֹלֹ֔ת לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ
With unhewn stones you shall build the altar of YHWH your God, and you shall offer up burnt offerings on it to YHWH your God.
Fronts 'unhewn stones' for emphasis before restating the building command, then adds the burnt-offering instruction — the altar must be both unworked and functional.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
אֲבָנִ֤יםwith whole/unhewn stonesN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Fronted adverbial accusative of material (topicalized)אֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; fronted for emphasis — the material is stipulated before the verb of building.
שְׁלֵמוֹת֙whole, unhewnadj f pl abs · שָׁלֵם (H8003)Attributive adjective modifying אֲבָנִיםשָׁלֵם (H8003) 'whole, complete, unblemished'; here of stones in their natural, unworked state — echoing Exodus 20:25's 'whole stones' (אֲבָנִים שְׁלֵמוֹת).
תִּבְנֶ֔הyou shall buildQal impf 2ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming the altar instruction)→ Yiqtol with imperatival force: the required manner of buildingבָּנָה (H1129) 'to build'; repeats v.5's verb, now specifying the stones must be unhewn.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking מִזְבַּח יְהוָה as the object of תִּבְנֶה; untranslated.
מִזְבַּ֖חthe altar ofN m sg constr · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Direct object of תִּבְנֶה, construct governing יְהוָהמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) construct, 'altar of'; reiterates the altar just introduced in v.5.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of מִזְבַּחיְהוָה (H3068); the altar belongs to Israel's covenant God alone.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God.'
וְהַעֲלִ֤יתָand you shall offer upconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2ms · הֶעֱלָה (H5927)Predicate verb, continuing the sequence of required acts→ Weqatal: a further future consequential commandעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up, offer up'; the technical term for presenting a burnt offering on the altar.
עָלָיו֙on itprep עַל + 3ms suffixAdverbial locative complement of וְהַעֲלִיתָעַל (H5921) with 3ms suffix, 'on it' (the altar).
עוֹלֹ֔תburnt offeringsN f pl abs · עֹלָה (H5930)Direct object of וְהַעֲלִיתָעֹלָה (H5930) 'burnt offering', from עָלָה 'to go up' (the smoke ascending); a wholly-consumed offering, the most basic act of worship at the new altar.
לַיהוָ֖הto YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement specifying the offering's recipientיְהוָה (H3068) with prefixed לְ, 'to YHWH.'
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, closing the verse's emphatic repetition of the covenant name.
7
וְזָבַחְתָּ֥ שְׁלָמִ֖ים וְאָכַ֣לְתָּ שָּׁ֑ם וְשָׂ֣מַחְתָּ֔ לִפְנֵ֖י יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ
And you shall sacrifice peace offerings, and you shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before YHWH your God.
Moves from the wholly-consumed burnt offering to the peace offering, whose meat is eaten by the worshiper — hence the note of eating and rejoicing 'before YHWH,' festal joy even at the curse-mountain's altar.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְזָבַחְתָּ֥and you shall sacrificeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · זָבַח (H2076)Predicate verb, continuing the sequence of required cultic acts→ Weqatal: a further future consequential commandזָבַח (H2076) 'to slaughter, sacrifice'; introduces the peace-offering rite that follows the burnt offering.
שְׁלָמִ֖יםpeace offeringsN m pl abs · שֶׁלֶם (H8002)Direct object of וְזָבַחְתָּשֶׁלֶם (H8002) 'peace/fellowship offering', from שָׁלוֹם; unlike the wholly-burnt עֹלָה, its meat is eaten by the worshiper — hence the eating and rejoicing that follow.
וְאָכַ֣לְתָּand you shall eatconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb, continuing the sequence→ Weqatal: a further future consequential commandאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the communal meal portion of the peace offering, eaten in YHWH's presence.
שָּׁ֑םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial locative complement of וְאָכַלְתָּשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; at the altar on Mount Ebal.
וְשָׂ֣מַחְתָּ֔and you shall rejoiceconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׂמַח (H8055)Predicate verb, climactic final act of the sequence→ Weqatal: a further future consequential commandשָׂמַח (H8055) 'to rejoice'; Deuteronomy's characteristic note of festal joy accompanying sacrificial worship, here even at the curse-mountain's altar.
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforeprep לְ + N c/b pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase governing יְהוָהפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; construct with לְ, 'before the face of' — the standard idiom for cultic presence before YHWH.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068); the meal and rejoicing take place in the divine presence.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God,' closing the verse.
8
וְכָתַבְתָּ֣ עַל הָאֲבָנִ֗ים אֶֽת כָּל דִּבְרֵ֛י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בַּאֵ֥ר הֵיטֵֽב
And you shall write on the stones all the words of this torah, very plainly.
Repeats the writing command of v.3 almost verbatim, adding the emphatic adverbial pair בַּאֵר הֵיטֵב, 'very plainly' — rabbinic tradition later read this as a mandate to render the torah intelligible to every nation (m. Sotah 7:5).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְכָתַבְתָּ֣and you shall writeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · כָּתַב (H3789)Predicate verb, resuming the writing instruction of vv.3, 8→ Weqatal: a further future consequential commandכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; repeats v.3's command, now stipulating the manner of inscription.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase governing הָאֲבָנִיםעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; the surface receiving the inscribed torah.
הָאֲבָנִ֗יםthe stonesart + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Object of preposition עַלאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; now definite, the same memorial stones of vv.2-4.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking כָּל דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה as the object of וְכָתַבְתָּ; untranslated.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing דִּבְרֵיכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all the words,' repeating v.3's totality of transcription.
דִּבְרֵ֛יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct chain, genitive complement of כָּלדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; construct plural, as in v.3.
הַתּוֹרָ֥הthe torahart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive complement in construct chain; antecedent of הַזֹּאתתּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law'; the same torah-text as v.3, here to be inscribed with maximal legibility.
הַזֹּ֖אתthisart + demonstrative pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַתּוֹרָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; as in v.3.
בַּאֵ֥רplainlyPiel inf abs · בֵּאֵר (H874)Adverbial infinitive absolute intensifying the manner of writing→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic manner, 'clearly, distinctly' — reinforcing legibility, not repetition of the actבָּאַר (H874) Piel 'to make plain, explain clearly'; paired with הֵיטֵב as an adverbial pair meaning 'very plainly' — rabbinic tradition (m. Sotah 7:5) reads this as a command to inscribe the torah in seventy languages, so every nation could read it.
הֵיטֵֽבwell, thoroughlyHiphil inf abs (adverbial) · הֵיטִיב (H3190)Second adverbial infinitive, paired with בַּאֵר to form the idiom 'very plainly'→ Infinitive absolute (adverbial): intensifying 'well, thoroughly' — reinforces clarity of the inscriptionיָטַב (H3190) Hiphil infinitive absolute used adverbially, 'well, thoroughly'; with בַּאֵר forms the emphatic idiom בַּאֵר הֵיטֵב, 'very plainly, very distinctly' (cf. 1:5).
9
וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר מֹשֶׁה֙ וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים הַלְוִיִּ֔ם אֶ֥ל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר הַסְכֵּ֤ת וּשְׁמַע֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ נִהְיֵ֣יתָֽ לְעָ֔ם לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ
Then Moses and the levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying: Be silent and hear, O Israel! This day you have become a people to YHWH your God.
Introduces a new unit: Moses now speaks jointly with the levitical priests, opening with the rare imperative הַסְכֵּת ('be silent'), paired with שְׁמַע ('hear') — a hushed, formal declaration that this very day Israel has 'become' YHWH's people, a becoming-formula rather than mere description.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֤רand he spokeconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main narrative clause), opening the new unit→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the solemn declaration to Israelדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; introduces the second speech-act of the chapter, now jointly with the priests.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Coordinate subject of וַיְדַבֵּרמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses, again joined by another authority-group (the levitical priests) in delivering the charge.
וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֣יםand the priestsconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Coordinate subject of וַיְדַבֵּרכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; joined here with 'the Levites' in apposition, distinguishing the officiating clergy from Moses.
הַלְוִיִּ֔םthe Levitesart + gentilic N m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Apposition to הַכֹּהֲנִיםלֵוִי (H3881) 'Levite'; here specifying the priests as levitical, the tribe entrusted with cultic and covenantal instruction.
אֶ֥לtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the addressee, all Israel.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing יִשְׂרָאֵלכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the entire nation as addressee, as in v.1.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of כָּליִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the whole nation, addressed as one covenant body.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Introduces direct speech (quotative infinitive)→ Infinitive construct: nominalized action, functioning as a quotation markerאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the solemn declaration that follows.
הַסְכֵּ֤תbe silentHiphil impv 2ms · הִסְכִּית (H5535)Predicate imperative, opening the quoted proclamation→ Imperative: a solemn summons demanding total, immediate attentionסָכַת (H5535) Hiphil, a rare root 'to be silent, hush'; the unique imperative הַסְכֵּת (found only here) commands hushed, rapt attention before the great declaration follows.
וּשְׁמַע֙and hearconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Coordinate imperative, paired with הַסְכֵּת→ Imperative: a summons to attentive hearing, paired with the call to silenceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; paired with הַסְכֵּת in the famous formula 'be silent and hear' — silence as the precondition for true hearing.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לO Israelproper noun (vocative) · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Vocative, addressee of the imperativesיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); vocative address, naming the nation directly as the whole assembly awaits the pronouncement.
הַיּ֤וֹםthis dayart + N m sg abs (adverbial) · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of time, fronted for emphasisיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; fronted with the following demonstrative, 'this day' — the decisive moment of covenant becoming.
הַזֶּה֙thisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; specifies the present day as the moment of Israel's constitution as YHWH's people.
נִהְיֵ֣יתָֽyou have becomeNiphal perf 2ms · נִהְיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, the becoming-formula)→ Perfective (Niphal): a completed, decisive transition into a new state — 'you have become'הָיָה (H1961) Niphal 'to become, come to be'; the solemn becoming-formula — Israel's national identity as YHWH's people is enacted, not merely described, at this moment.
לְעָ֔םa peopleprep לְ + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate complement of נִהְיֵיתָ (לְ of essence/result)עַם (H5971) 'people'; with לְ of result, 'become as/into a people' — Israel constituted as a covenant nation.
לַיהוָ֖הto YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement specifying whose peopleיְהוָה (H3068) with prefixed לְ, 'to/for YHWH'; the covenant bond named directly.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God,' sealing the becoming-formula.
10
וְשָׁ֣מַעְתָּ֔ בְּק֖וֹל יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ אֶת מִצְוֺתָו֙ וְאֶת חֻקָּ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּֽוֹם
You shall obey the voice of YHWH your God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I am commanding you today.
Draws the practical consequence from the becoming-formula of v.9: covenant identity entails obedience to YHWH's voice and concrete performance of his commandments and statutes.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְשָׁ֣מַעְתָּ֔and you shall obeyconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb, main clause resuming the second-person instruction→ Weqatal: a future consequential commandשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; with בְּקוֹל idiom, 'listen to/obey the voice of' — the fundamental covenant demand.
בְּק֖וֹלthe voice ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Object of וְשָׁמַעְתָּ (idiom שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל, 'obey')קוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; construct with בְּ, forming the idiom 'obey the voice of' — attentive, submissive obedience.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of קוֹליְהוָה (H3068); whose voice/commandments Israel must obey.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God.'
וְעָשִׂ֤יתָand you shall doconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, coordinate with וְשָׁמַעְתָּ→ Weqatal: a further future consequential commandעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; obedience must issue in concrete action, not mere assent.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking מִצְוֺתָיו as the object of וְעָשִׂיתָ; untranslated.
מִצְוֺתָו֙his commandmentsN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of וְעָשִׂיתָמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; plural with 3ms suffix (referring to YHWH), 'his commandments' — the specific stipulations of the covenant.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks חֻקָּיו as the definite second object.
חֻקָּ֔יוhis statutesN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · חֹק (H2706)Coordinate direct object of וְעָשִׂיתָחֹק (H2706) 'statute, decree'; paired with מִצְוֹת as a standard hendiadys for the whole body of covenant law.
אֲשֶׁ֛רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying מִצְוֺתָיו וְחֻקָּיואֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces Moses' present authorizing clause, as elsewhere in the chapter.
אָנֹכִ֥יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject of מְצַוְּךָאָנֹכִי (H595) emphatic 'I'; Moses' personal voice closing the unit begun in v.9.
מְצַוְּךָ֖am commanding youPiel ptc m sg constr + 2ms suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (durative present, main verb of relative clause)→ Participle: durative present — an ongoing, immediate act of commandingצָוָה (H6680) Piel participle with 2ms suffix, 'commanding you'; the durative formula recurring throughout the chapter.
הַיּֽוֹםtodayart + N m sg abs (adverbial) · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; adverbial 'today,' closing the unit with the chapter's recurring stress on present immediacy.
11
וַיְצַ֤ו מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶת הָעָ֔ם בַּיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא לֵאמֹֽר
And Moses commanded the people on that day, saying:
A fresh wayyiqtol narrative notice introduces the tribal-arrangement instructions that follow, marking a formal transition within the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיְצַ֤וand he commandedconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (main narrative clause), opening the tribal-arrangement unit→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; introduces the third command-formula of the chapter, now assigning the tribes to the two mountains.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיְצַומֹשֶׁה (H4872); here alone (without elders or priests), issuing the tribal assignment.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking הָעָם as the object of וַיְצַו; untranslated.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וַיְצַועַם (H5971) 'people'; the addressee of this specific tribal-assignment instruction.
בַּיּ֥וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying וַיְצַויוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article and preposition, 'on the day' — resuming the narrative frame.
הַה֖וּאthatart + independent pron 3ms (demonstrative) · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַיּוֹםהוּא (H1931) with article functioning demonstratively, 'that (day)'; ties this command to the same occasion as the preceding material.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Introduces direct speech (quotative infinitive)→ Infinitive construct: nominalized action, functioning as a quotation markerאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the tribal list that follows in vv.12-13.
12
אֵ֠לֶּה יַֽעַמְד֞וּ לְבָרֵ֤ךְ אֶת הָעָם֙ עַל הַ֣ר גְּרִזִ֔ים בְּעָבְרְכֶ֖ם אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן שִׁמְעוֹן֙ וְלֵוִ֣י וִֽיהוּדָ֔ה וְיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר וְיוֹסֵ֥ף וּבִנְיָמִֽן
These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
Names the six tribes — Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, Benjamin, largely the Leah/Rachel sons — stationed on Mount Gerizim to pronounce blessing, though the blessings themselves are reserved for ch. 28.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
אֵ֠לֶּהthesedemonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (resumptive, anticipating the tribal list)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; anticipates the six tribes named at the verse's end, subject of יַעַמְדוּ.
יַֽעַמְד֞וּshall standQal impf 3mp · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol with imperatival/future force: the required ceremonial positioningעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; designates the tribes' ritual station for the blessing-ceremony.
לְבָרֵ֤ךְto blessprep לְ + Piel inf constr · בֵּרֵךְ (H1288)Purpose infinitival clause modifying יַעַמְדוּ→ Infinitive construct: purpose, 'in order to bless'בָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; names the positive counterpart to the curse-ceremony of v.13, though the blessings themselves are never spelled out here (cf. ch. 28).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking הָעָם as the object of לְבָרֵךְ; untranslated.
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of לְבָרֵךְעַם (H5971) 'people'; the object of blessing, the assembled nation.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase governing הַרעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; marks the mountain-station for the blessing tribes.
הַ֣רMountN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition עַל, construct governing גְּרִזִיםהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct, 'Mount' — introducing Gerizim.
גְּרִזִ֔יםGerizimproper noun · גְּרִזִים (H1630)Genitive complement in construct chainגְּרִזִים (H1630), the southern mountain at Shechem, site of blessing here — later the Samaritans built their temple on Gerizim, appealing partly to this chapter's honor accorded it.
בְּעָבְרְכֶ֖םwhen you crossprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2mp suffix · עָבַר (H5674)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: nominalized action, 'in your crossing'עָבַר (H5674) 'to cross'; temporally anchors the tribal ceremony to the Jordan crossing, as throughout the chapter.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking הַיַּרְדֵּן as the object of the infinitive; untranslated.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ןthe Jordanart + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Direct object of the infinitive עָבְרְכֶםיַרְדֵּן (H3383) the Jordan River.
שִׁמְעוֹן֙Simeonproper noun · שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095)First member of the list in apposition to אֵלֶּהשִׁמְעוֹן (H8095), son of Leah; heads the blessing list — a notable elevation given Simeon's small/scattered later tribal territory.
וְלֵוִ֣יand Leviconj וְ + proper noun · לֵוִי (H3878)Coordinate member of the listלֵוִי (H3878), son of Leah; included here as a tribe (distinct from its cultic role as priesthood) among the blessing tribes.
וִֽיהוּדָ֔הand Judahconj וְ + proper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Coordinate member of the listיְהוּדָה (H3063), son of Leah; the future royal tribe, placed among the blessing group.
וְיִשָּׂשכָ֖רand Issacharconj וְ + proper noun · יִשָּׂשכָר (H3485)Coordinate member of the listיִשָּׂשכָר (H3485), son of Leah; completes the Leah-descended tribes on the blessing side (with Simeon, Levi, Judah).
וְיוֹסֵ֥ףand Josephconj וְ + proper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Coordinate member of the listיוֹסֵף (H3130), son of Rachel; here named as a single tribe (not split into Ephraim/Manasseh), representing the Rachel line on Gerizim.
וּבִנְיָמִֽןand Benjaminconj וְ + proper noun · בִּנְיָמִן (H1144)Final coordinate member of the listבִּנְיָמִן (H1144), son of Rachel; closes the six blessing-tribes — Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, Benjamin, together the Leah/Rachel sons stationed on Gerizim.
13
וְאֵ֛לֶּה יַֽעַמְד֥וּ עַל הַקְּלָלָ֖ה בְּהַ֣ר עֵיבָ֑ל רְאוּבֵן֙ גָּ֣ד וְאָשֵׁ֔ר וּזְבוּלֻ֖ן דָּ֥ן וְנַפְתָּלִֽי
And these shall stand for the curse on Mount Ebal: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
Names the six curse-tribes — Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali — stationed on Mount Ebal; the grouping is not strictly matriarchal (Zebulun, a Leah-tribe, appears here), suggesting factors beyond simple genealogy shaped the assignment.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְאֵ֛לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (resumptive, anticipating the second tribal list), contrastive with v.12's אֵלֶּהאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; anticipates the six curse-tribes, standing in deliberate antithesis to v.12's blessing-tribes.
יַֽעַמְד֥וּshall standQal impf 3mp · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol with imperatival/future force: the required ceremonial positioningעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; repeats v.12's verb, now for the curse-station.
עַלforprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of purpose/reference governing הַקְּלָלָהעַל (H5921) 'concerning, for'; here marking purpose — 'for the curse,' parallel to לְבָרֵךְ in v.12 though using a noun rather than an infinitive.
הַקְּלָלָ֖הthe curseart + N f sg abs · קְלָלָה (H7045)Object of preposition עַלקְלָלָה (H7045) 'curse', from קָלַל 'to be light/slight, to curse'; the direct antithesis of בְּרָכָה, structurally paired throughout Deuteronomy (cf. ch. 28).
בְּהַ֣רon Mountprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase, construct governing עֵיבָלהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct, 'on Mount' — introducing Ebal, the curse-mountain.
עֵיבָ֑לEbalproper noun · עֵיבָל (H5858)Genitive complement in construct chainעֵיבָל (H5858); confirmed here as the curse-mountain, consistent with v.4's altar-siting — the same mountain that (paradoxically) receives the altar and burnt offerings.
רְאוּבֵן֙Reubenproper noun · רְאוּבֵן (H7205)First member of the curse list in apposition to וְאֵלֶּהרְאוּבֵן (H7205), firstborn son of Leah; heads the curse list despite (or because of) his birthright — his earlier disgrace (Gen 35:22; 49:4) may explain his placement here.
גָּ֣דGadproper noun · גָּד (H1410)Coordinate member of the listגָּד (H1410), son of Zilpah (Leah's maid); joins the curse-station tribes.
וְאָשֵׁ֔רand Asherconj וְ + proper noun · אָשֵׁר (H836)Coordinate member of the listאָשֵׁר (H836), son of Zilpah; continues the curse-tribe list.
וּזְבוּלֻ֖ןand Zebulunconj וְ + proper noun · זְבוּלֻן (H2074)Coordinate member of the listזְבוּלֻן (H2074), son of Leah; despite being a Leah-tribe, placed on the curse side, breaking a strict matriarchal pattern.
דָּ֥ןDanproper noun · דָּן (H1835)Coordinate member of the listדָּן (H1835), son of Bilhah (Rachel's maid); joins the curse-tribes.
וְנַפְתָּלִֽיand Naphtaliconj וְ + proper noun · נַפְתָּלִי (H5321)Final coordinate member of the listנַפְתָּלִי (H5321), son of Bilhah; closes the six curse-tribes — Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, stationed on Ebal.
14
וְעָנ֣וּ הַלְוִיִּ֗ם וְאָֽמְר֛וּ אֶל כָּל אִ֥ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל ק֥וֹל רָֽם
And the Levites shall answer and say to every man of Israel with a loud voice:
Introduces the Levites' loud, public proclamation to every individual Israelite — the twelve curses that follow are meant to be heard and ratified by the whole nation, not merely by representatives.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְעָנ֣וּand they shall answerconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (main clause), opening the antiphonal curse ceremony→ Weqatal: a future consequential act, introducing the responsive liturgyעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, respond'; introduces the Levites' antiphonal declaration to which the people will answer 'Amen' after each curse.
הַלְוִיִּ֗םthe Levitesart + gentilic N m pl abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Subject of וְעָנוּלֵוִי (H3881) 'Levite'; the officiants who pronounce each curse in the liturgy that follows.
וְאָֽמְר֛וּand sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Coordinate predicate verb with וְעָנוּ→ Weqatal: a further future consequential actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; paired with עָנָה, 'answer and say' — the standard formula introducing solemn public speech.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the addressee, every man of Israel.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing אִישׁכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; distributive, 'every man' — no Israelite exempt from hearing the curses.
אִ֥ישׁman ofN m sg constr · אִישׁ (H376)Construct chain, genitive complement of כָּלאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; construct, distributive singular emphasizing individual accountability within the collective.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of אִישׁיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); every individual Israelite is addressed.
ק֥וֹלwith a voiceN m sg abs (adverbial) · קוֹל (H6963)Adverbial accusative of manner, modifying וְאָמְרוּקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; adverbial accusative, 'with a voice' — describing the manner of the Levites' proclamation.
רָֽםloudQal ptc m sg abs (adjectival) · רוּם (H7311)Attributive participle modifying קוֹל→ Participle used adjectivally: 'raised, high' — describing the sustained loudness of the proclamationרוּם (H7311) 'to be high, exalted'; participle used adjectivally, 'loud, raised' — the curses are to be proclaimed publicly, audibly, unmistakably.
15
אָר֣וּר הָאִ֡ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַעֲשֶׂה֩ פֶ֨סֶל וּמַסֵּכָ֜ה תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְהוָ֗ה מַעֲשֵׂ֛ה יְדֵ֥י חָרָ֖שׁ וְשָׂ֣ם בַּסָּ֑תֶר וְעָנ֧וּ כָל הָעָ֛ם וְאָמְר֖וּ אָמֵֽן
Cursed is the man who makes a carved image or a molten image, an abomination to YHWH, the work of a craftsman's hands, and sets it up in secret. And all the people shall answer and say: Amen.
The first and most serious of the twelve curses targets idol manufacture, doubly named (carved and molten image) and doubly denounced (abomination, mere craftsman's handiwork) — and, crucially, made 'in secret,' the theme-word (בַּסָּתֶר) unifying several of the curses that follow. The people's antiphonal 'Amen' here establishes the pattern repeated eleven more times.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
אָר֣וּרcursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curse — not a wish but a binding declarationאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; the formulaic opening of each of the twelve curses, functioning performatively rather than descriptively.
הָאִ֡ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of אָרוּראִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the subject of the curse-formula, specified by the relative clause that follows.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying הָאִישׁאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the specific crime each curse targets.
יַעֲשֶׂה֩makesQal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: characterizing/gnomic — whoever does this actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; here of fabricating an idol — the first and most serious of the twelve curses, violating the second commandment.
פֶ֨סֶלa carved imageN m sg abs · פֶּסֶל (H6459)Direct object of יַעֲשֶׂהפֶּסֶל (H6459) 'carved/graven image', from פָּסַל 'to hew, carve'; the object of the second commandment's prohibition (Exod 20:4).
וּמַסֵּכָ֜הor a molten imageconj וְ + N f sg abs · מַסֵּכָה (H4541)Coordinate direct object of יַעֲשֶׂהמַסֵּכָה (H4541) 'molten/cast image', from נָסַךְ 'to pour out'; paired with פֶּסֶל as a standard hendiadys for idol manufacture.
תּוֹעֲבַ֣תan abomination ofN f sg constr · תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441)Appositive to פֶסֶל וּמַסֵּכָה, construct governing יְהוָהתּוֹעֵבָה (H8441) 'abomination, detestable thing'; construct, 'abomination of YHWH' — idolatry named in the strongest cultic-revulsion terms Deuteronomy possesses.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of תּוֹעֲבַתיְהוָה (H3068); to whom the idol is an abomination.
מַעֲשֵׂ֛הthe work ofN m sg constr · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Appositive to פֶסֶל וּמַסֵּכָה, construct governing יְדֵי חָרָשׁמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed'; construct, 'the work of' — stresses the idol's merely human manufacture, the standard prophetic polemic against idols.
יְדֵ֥יthe hands ofN c/b dual constr · יָד (H3027)Construct chain, genitive complement of מַעֲשֵׂהיָד (H3027) 'hand'; dual construct, 'hands of' — the idol is nothing but a craftsman's handiwork, not divine.
חָרָ֖שׁa craftsmanN m sg abs · חָרָשׁ (H2796)Genitive complement of יְדֵיחָרָשׁ (H2796) 'craftsman, artisan'; underscores the idol's human, workshop origin — the polemical point of the whole phrase.
וְשָׂ֣םand sets it upconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · שָׂם (H7760)Predicate verb, continuing the relative clause→ Weqatal: a further completed/characterizing actשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; the idol's concealment — made and then hidden away.
בַּסָּ֑תֶרin secretprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · סֵתֶר (H5643)Adverbial locative complement of וְשָׂםסֵתֶר (H5643) 'hiding place, secrecy'; the keyword of the whole curse-series — these are crimes committed בַּסָּתֶר, beyond the reach of human courts, hence requiring divine sanction by curse.
וְעָנ֧וּand shall answerconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb, introducing the congregational response formula→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, respond'; introduces the people's antiphonal response that will close all twelve curses.
כָלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly responds, not select representatives.
הָעָ֛םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְעָנוּ / וְאָמְרוּעַם (H5971) 'people'; the whole nation, collectively binding themselves to each curse.
וְאָמְר֖וּand sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Coordinate predicate verb with וְעָנוּ→ Weqatal: a further future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; paired with עָנָה, introducing the people's single-word ratification.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, truly, so be it', from אָמַן 'to be firm, trustworthy'; the people's binding ratification of each curse — self-imposed liability under oath, repeated twelve times through v.26.
16
אָר֕וּר מַקְלֶ֥ה אָבִ֖יו וְאִמּ֑וֹ וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן
Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother. And all the people shall say: Amen.
Moves from cultic to familial crime — dishonoring father or mother, a capital offense elsewhere (Exod 21:17) here folded into the curse-liturgy, likely because such contempt often escapes any court's notice.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
אָר֕וּרcursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curseאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; second of the twelve curses.
מַקְלֶ֥הwho dishonorsHiphil ptc m sg abs (substantival) · הֵקֵל (H7034)Predicate/subject-complement participle, substantival ('the one who dishonors'), governing אָבִיו וְאִמּוֹ→ Participle: characterizing/gnomic — whoever treats his parents with contemptקָלָה/קלל (H7034) Hiphil 'to treat with contempt, dishonor'; violates the fifth commandment (Exod 20:12) and its capital-crime counterpart (Exod 21:17) — an offense typically hidden within the family, beyond public witness.
אָבִ֖יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Direct object of מַקְלֶהאָב (H1) 'father'; with 3ms suffix, the first object of the dishonoring participle.
וְאִמּ֑וֹor his motherconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֵם (H517)Coordinate direct object of מַקְלֶהאֵם (H517) 'mother'; with 3ms suffix, paired with אָבִיו — both parents equally protected.
וְאָמַ֥רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, closing ratification formula, agreeing with singular collective כָּל הָעָם)→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the abbreviated closing formula used for curses 2-12, singular agreeing with the collective כָּל הָעָם.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly ratifies each curse.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְאָמַרעַם (H5971) 'people'; grammatically singular collective, taking the singular verb וְאָמַר.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, so be it'; the second of twelve ratifications, binding the nation to this curse as well.
17
אָר֕וּר מַסִּ֖יג גְּב֣וּל רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן
Cursed is he who moves his neighbor's landmark. And all the people shall say: Amen.
Targets boundary theft (cf. 19:14) — again a crime easily hidden and hard to prosecute, fitting the curse-series' concern with offenses beyond ordinary witness.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
אָר֕וּרcursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curseאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; third of the twelve curses.
מַסִּ֖יגwho movesHiphil ptc m sg abs (substantival) · הִסִּיג (H5253)Predicate/subject-complement participle, substantival, governing גְּבוּל רֵעֵהוּ→ Participle: characterizing/gnomic — whoever displaces a boundaryנָסַג/סוּג (H5253) Hiphil 'to move back, remove'; here of secretly relocating a boundary-marker to steal land — a crime with no witness, cf. 19:14.
גְּב֣וּלthe landmark ofN m sg constr · גְּבוּל (H1366)Direct object of מַסִּיגגְּבוּל (H1366) 'boundary, territory, landmark'; construct, the marker defining a neighbor's inherited plot.
רֵעֵ֑הוּhis neighborN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Genitive complement of גְּבוּלרֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor, companion'; with 3ms suffix, the victim whose ancestral land-allotment is quietly stolen.
וְאָמַ֥רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, closing ratification formula)→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the recurring closing formula.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly ratifies this curse.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְאָמַרעַם (H5971) 'people'; singular collective subject.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, so be it'; the third ratification.
18
אָר֕וּר מַשְׁגֶּ֥ה עִוֵּ֖ר בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן
Cursed is he who makes the blind go astray on the road. And all the people shall say: Amen.
Condemns exploiting the blind on the road, echoing Lev 19:14's stumbling-block law — cruelty toward the defenseless when no one else is present to see or intervene.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
אָר֕וּרcursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curseאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; fourth of the twelve curses.
מַשְׁגֶּ֥הwho misleadsHiphil ptc m sg abs (substantival) · הִשְׁגָּה (H7686)Predicate/subject-complement participle, substantival, governing עִוֵּר→ Participle: characterizing/gnomic — whoever causes a blind person to go astrayשָׁגָה (H7686) Hiphil 'to cause to err, mislead'; exploiting the vulnerable and defenseless — echoes Lev 19:14's 'do not put a stumbling block before the blind.'
עִוֵּ֖רthe blindadj m sg abs (substantival) · עִוֵּר (H5787)Direct object of מַשְׁגֶּהעִוֵּר (H5787) 'blind'; substantival adjective, the vulnerable victim who cannot detect the deception.
בַּדָּ֑רֶךְon the roadprep בְּ + art + N c/b sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Adverbial locative complement of מַשְׁגֶּהדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; the setting of the deception — a blind traveler misdirected where none can witness or correct it.
וְאָמַ֥רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, closing ratification formula)→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the recurring closing formula.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly ratifies this curse.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְאָמַרעַם (H5971) 'people'; singular collective subject.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, so be it'; the fourth ratification.
19
אָר֗וּר מַטֶּ֛ה מִשְׁפַּ֥ט גֵּר יָת֖וֹם וְאַלְמָנָ֑ה וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן
Cursed is he who perverts the justice due the sojourner, the orphan, and the widow. And all the people shall say: Amen.
Targets judicial bias against the sojourner, orphan, and widow — Deuteronomy's recurring triad of the legally unprotected — extending the curse-series from private crimes to institutional injustice.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אָר֗וּרcursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curseאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; fifth of the twelve curses.
מַטֶּ֛הwho pervertsHiphil ptc m sg abs (substantival) · הִטָּה (H5186)Predicate/subject-complement participle, substantival, governing מִשְׁפַּט→ Participle: characterizing/gnomic — whoever bends judgment, in any caseנָטָה (H5186) Hiphil 'to stretch out, bend, incline'; here of perverting justice — the same verb used for 'bending' a legal verdict away from the truth.
מִשְׁפַּ֥טthe justice dueN m sg constr · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Direct object of מַטֶּהמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'justice, judgment'; construct, the fair legal verdict owed to society's most defenseless members.
גֵּרthe sojournerN m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)First genitive complement of מִשְׁפַּטגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; first of the classic Deuteronomic triad of the socially vulnerable.
יָת֖וֹםthe orphanN m sg abs · יָתוֹם (H3490)Coordinate genitive complement of מִשְׁפַּטיָתוֹם (H3490) 'orphan, fatherless'; second of the triad, lacking a father's legal advocacy.
וְאַלְמָנָ֑הand the widowconj וְ + N f sg abs · אַלְמָנָה (H490)Final coordinate genitive complement of מִשְׁפַּטאַלְמָנָה (H490) 'widow'; completes the sojourner-orphan-widow triad, Deuteronomy's recurring shorthand for society's legally unprotected.
וְאָמַ֥רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, closing ratification formula)→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the recurring closing formula.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly ratifies this curse.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְאָמַרעַם (H5971) 'people'; singular collective subject.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, so be it'; the fifth ratification.
20
אָר֗וּר שֹׁכֵב֙ עִם אֵ֣שֶׁת אָבִ֔יו כִּ֥י גִלָּ֖ה כְּנַ֣ף אָבִ֑יו וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן
Cursed is he who lies with his father's wife, because he has uncovered his father's skirt. And all the people shall say: Amen.
Opens the four-item incest/bestiality sequence with the gravest case, sexual relations with a stepmother — echoing Reuben's disgrace with Bilhah (Gen 35:22) and his resulting demotion, reflected already in his placement among the curse-tribes (v.13).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
אָר֗וּרcursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curseאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; sixth of the twelve curses, opening the four sexual-crime curses.
שֹׁכֵב֙who liesQal ptc m sg abs (substantival) · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate/subject-complement participle, substantival, governing עִם אֵשֶׁת אָבִיו→ Participle: characterizing/gnomic — whoever has sexual relationsשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; euphemistic for sexual intercourse, as commonly in biblical law.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase governing אֵשֶׁת אָבִיועִם (H5973) 'with'; introduces the partner of the forbidden union.
אֵ֣שֶׁתthe wife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of preposition עִם, construct governing אָבִיואִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; construct, 'wife of' — a stepmother, forbidden per Lev 18:8; cf. Reuben's sin with Bilhah (Gen 35:22), echoed in v.13's placement of Reuben first among the curse-tribes.
אָבִ֔יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complement of אֵשֶׁתאָב (H1) 'father'; with 3ms suffix, defining the forbidden relation as one's stepmother.
כִּ֥יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing subordinate clauseכִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; explains the offense as a violation of the father's honor/domain.
גִלָּ֖הhe has uncoveredPiel perf 3ms · גִּלָּה (H1540)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive violationגָּלָה (H1540) Piel 'to uncover, expose'; the standard euphemism for sexual violation in the Levitical incest laws (cf. Lev 18).
כְּנַ֣ףthe skirt ofN f sg constr · כָּנָף (H3671)Direct object of גִלָּהכָּנָף (H3671) 'wing, edge, skirt (of garment)'; euphemism for the father's marital rights/authority — 'uncovering the skirt' = usurping the father's marital bed.
אָבִ֑יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complement of כְּנַףאָב (H1) 'father'; with 3ms suffix, repeating and confirming the violated relation.
וְאָמַ֥רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, closing ratification formula)→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the recurring closing formula.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly ratifies this curse.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְאָמַרעַם (H5971) 'people'; singular collective subject.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, so be it'; the sixth ratification.
21
אָר֕וּר שֹׁכֵ֖ב עִם כָּל בְּהֵמָ֑ה וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן
Cursed is he who lies with any animal. And all the people shall say: Amen.
The second of the incest/bestiality curses, forbidding sexual relations with any animal — a capital crime in Exod 22:18 and Lev 18:23, here folded into the curse-oath alongside the human-incest prohibitions.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
אָר֕וּרcursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curseאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; seventh of the twelve curses.
שֹׁכֵ֖בwho liesQal ptc m sg abs (substantival) · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate/subject-complement participle, substantival, governing עִם כָּל בְּהֵמָה→ Participle: characterizing/gnomic — whoever has sexual relationsשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; euphemistic for intercourse; here the crime of bestiality, capital in Exod 22:18 and Lev 18:23.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase governing כָּל בְּהֵמָהעִם (H5973) 'with'; introduces the forbidden partner.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing בְּהֵמָהכֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'; distributive, ruling out every kind of animal without exception.
בְּהֵמָ֑הbeastN f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Genitive complement of כָּלבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'animal, beast'; the object of the prohibition against bestiality.
וְאָמַ֥רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, closing ratification formula)→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the recurring closing formula.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly ratifies this curse.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְאָמַרעַם (H5971) 'people'; singular collective subject.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, so be it'; the seventh ratification.
22
אָר֗וּר שֹׁכֵב֙ עִם אֲחֹת֔וֹ בַּת אָבִ֖יו א֣וֹ בַת אִמּ֑וֹ וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן
Cursed is he who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say: Amen.
Covers both full and half-sisters (paternal or maternal), closing any possible loophole in the incest prohibition of Lev 18:9.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
אָר֗וּרcursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curseאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; eighth of the twelve curses.
שֹׁכֵב֙who liesQal ptc m sg abs (substantival) · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate/subject-complement participle, substantival, governing עִם אֲחֹתוֹ→ Participle: characterizing/gnomic — whoever has sexual relationsשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; euphemistic for intercourse; here sibling incest, forbidden in Lev 18:9, 20:17.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase governing אֲחֹתוֹעִם (H5973) 'with'; introduces the forbidden partner.
אֲחֹת֔וֹhis sisterN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָחוֹת (H269)Object of preposition עִםאָחוֹת (H269) 'sister'; with 3ms suffix, specified by the two clauses that follow as either a full or half-sister.
בַּתthe daughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Appositive to אֲחֹתוֹ, construct governing אָבִיובַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; construct, specifying the sister as sharing at least the father.
אָבִ֖יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complement of בַּתאָב (H1) 'father'; with 3ms suffix — a paternal half-sister.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction joining the two clausesאוֹ (H176) 'or'; introduces the alternative case of a maternal half-sister, closing any loophole.
בַתthe daughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Coordinate appositive, construct governing אִמּוֹבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; construct, specifying the alternative maternal relation.
אִמּ֑וֹhis motherN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֵם (H517)Genitive complement of בַתאֵם (H517) 'mother'; with 3ms suffix — a maternal half-sister, the alternative case covered.
וְאָמַ֥רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, closing ratification formula)→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the recurring closing formula.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly ratifies this curse.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְאָמַרעַם (H5971) 'people'; singular collective subject.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, so be it'; the eighth ratification.
23
אָר֕וּר שֹׁכֵ֖ב עִם חֹֽתַנְתּ֑וֹ וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן
Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say: Amen.
Closes the four-item series with relations with a mother-in-law, a capital crime in Lev 20:14 — together the four curses (stepmother, beast, sister, mother-in-law) form a tight unit on sexual boundary-crossing.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
אָר֕וּרcursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curseאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; ninth of the twelve curses, the last of the incest series.
שֹׁכֵ֖בwho liesQal ptc m sg abs (substantival) · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate/subject-complement participle, substantival, governing עִם חֹתַנְתּוֹ→ Participle: characterizing/gnomic — whoever has sexual relationsשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; euphemistic for intercourse; here relations with a mother-in-law, forbidden and capital in Lev 18:17, 20:14.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase governing חֹתַנְתּוֹעִם (H5973) 'with'; introduces the forbidden partner.
חֹֽתַנְתּ֑וֹhis mother-in-lawN f sg constr + 3ms suffix (denominative) · חֹתֶנֶת (H2859)Object of preposition עִםחֹתֶנֶת (H2859), related to חָתַן 'father-in-law/to be allied by marriage'; 'mother-in-law' — the wife's mother, closing the four-item incest/bestiality series (father's wife, beast, sister, mother-in-law).
וְאָמַ֥רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, closing ratification formula)→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the recurring closing formula.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly ratifies this curse.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְאָמַרעַם (H5971) 'people'; singular collective subject.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, so be it'; the ninth ratification.
24
אָר֕וּר מַכֵּ֥ה רֵעֵ֖הוּ בַּסָּ֑תֶר וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן
Cursed is he who strikes his neighbor in secret. And all the people shall say: Amen.
Returns to the 'in secret' theme of v.15 — assault committed where no witness can testify, again requiring a curse-oath to reach what ordinary courts cannot.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
אָר֕וּרcursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curseאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; tenth of the twelve curses.
מַכֵּ֥הwho strikesHiphil ptc m sg constr (substantival) · הִכָּה (H5221)Predicate/subject-complement participle, substantival, construct governing רֵעֵהוּ→ Participle: characterizing/gnomic — whoever strikes, at any timeנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; assault committed בַּסָּתֶר, beyond witness — the second 'in secret' crime (with v.15's idol-maker), where ordinary justice cannot reach.
רֵעֵ֖הוּhis neighborN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Genitive complement of מַכֵּהרֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor, fellow'; the victim of the secret assault.
בַּסָּ֑תֶרin secretprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · סֵתֶר (H5643)Adverbial locative complement of מַכֵּהסֵתֶר (H5643) 'secrecy, hiding place'; repeats v.15's keyword — an unwitnessed crime, hence its need for divine curse rather than court verdict.
וְאָמַ֥רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, closing ratification formula)→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the recurring closing formula.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly ratifies this curse.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְאָמַרעַם (H5971) 'people'; singular collective subject.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, so be it'; the tenth ratification.
25
אָרוּר֙ לֹקֵ֣חַ שֹׁ֔חַד לְהַכּ֥וֹת נֶ֖פֶשׁ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֑י וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן
Cursed is he who takes a bribe to strike down an innocent life. And all the people shall say: Amen.
Targets judicial corruption at its most lethal — taking a bribe to procure the death of an innocent person, turning the legal system itself into an instrument of murder.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
אָרוּר֙cursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curseאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; eleventh of the twelve curses.
לֹקֵ֣חַwho takesQal ptc m sg abs (substantival) · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate/subject-complement participle, substantival, governing שֹׁחַד→ Participle: characterizing/gnomic — whoever accepts a bribeלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here of accepting a bribe — judicial corruption that turns the legal system itself into an instrument of murder.
שֹׁ֔חַדa bribeN m sg abs · שֹׁחַד (H7810)Direct object of לֹקֵחַשֹׁחַד (H7810) 'bribe, gift (to pervert judgment)'; the corrupting payment, condemned repeatedly in wisdom and legal literature (cf. Exod 23:8).
לְהַכּ֥וֹתto strike downprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · הִכָּה (H5221)Purpose infinitival clause modifying לֹקֵחַ שֹׁחַד→ Infinitive construct: purpose, 'in order to strike/kill'נָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, kill'; the bribe's purpose — securing a death sentence or assassination against an innocent party.
נֶ֖פֶשׁa person,N c/b sg constr · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Direct object of לְהַכּוֹת, construct chainנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person, life'; construct, 'a life of' — the victim, defined in the next words as innocent blood.
דָּ֣םbloodN m sg abs (in apposition) · דָּם (H1818)Appositive to נֶפֶשׁ, specifying the crime as bloodshedדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; in apposition to נֶפֶשׁ, 'a person, [namely] blood' — a life whose shedding is bloodguilt.
נָקִ֑יinnocentadj m sg abs · נָקִי (H5355)Attributive adjective modifying דָּם/נֶפֶשׁנָקִי (H5355) 'innocent, clean, free (of guilt)'; the victim is guiltless — judicial murder-for-hire against someone who deserves no penalty.
וְאָמַ֥רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, closing ratification formula)→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the recurring closing formula.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly ratifies this curse.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְאָמַרעַם (H5971) 'people'; singular collective subject.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, so be it'; the eleventh ratification.
26
אָר֗וּר אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹא יָקִ֛ים אֶת דִּבְרֵ֥י הַתּוֹרָֽה הַזֹּ֖את לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת אוֹתָ֑ם וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן
Cursed is he who does not uphold the words of this torah, to do them. And all the people shall say: Amen.
The climactic, all-encompassing twelfth curse falls not on a specific act but on failure to uphold and do the torah's words as a whole — the verse Paul quotes in Galatians 3:10 to argue that the law's curse rests on everyone who does not keep it in its entirety, since no one does.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אָר֗וּרcursedQal passive ptc m sg abs · אָרוּר (H779)Predicate (passive participle functioning as a performative curse-formula)→ Passive participle: a solemn, performative pronouncement of curseאָרַר (H779) Qal passive participle 'cursed'; the twelfth and climactic curse, a summary encompassing all the others — famously quoted in Gal 3:10.
אֲשֶׁ֧רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing clause modifying the implied 'the man' (no explicit noun, unlike v.15)אֲשֶׁר (H834); here 'the man' of v.15 is not repeated, so אֲשֶׁר directly follows אָרוּר — the curse formula compressed to its barest, most sweeping form.
לֹאdoes notnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יָקִיםלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle; the curse falls on failure to act, not merely active wrongdoing — unique among the twelve in condemning an omission.
יָקִ֛יםupholdHiphil impf 3ms · הֵקִים (H6965)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: characterizing/gnomic — whoever fails, at any time, to keep the whole torah in forceקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise, establish, uphold'; the same root as v.2's 'set up' the stones — the summary curse quoted by Paul in Gal 3:10 as evidence that law-keeping cannot save, since none uphold it all.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) marking דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה as the object of יָקִים; untranslated.
דִּבְרֵ֥יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct chain, direct object of יָקִיםדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; construct plural, 'the words of' — echoing vv.3, 8's inscribed torah-text, now demanding total, ongoing observance.
הַתּוֹרָֽהthis torahart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive complement in construct chain; antecedent of הַזֹּאתתּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law'; the same torah inscribed on the stones (vv.3, 8) and now made the object of a comprehensive, binding curse-oath.
הַזֹּ֖אתthisart + demonstrative pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַתּוֹרָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; ties the curse back to Moses' own present instruction, as throughout the chapter.
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose/epexegetical infinitival clause modifying יָקִים→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result, 'so as to do them'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; clarifies that 'upholding' the torah means concrete, comprehensive obedience, not mere assent.
אוֹתָ֑םthemobj marker · אֵת (H853) + 3mp suffixDirect object of לַעֲשׂוֹתאֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, referring to דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה, 'them' (the words of the torah).
וְאָמַ֥רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, closing ratification formula)→ Weqatal: a future consequential/ritual actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the recurring closing formula, sealing the twelfth and final curse.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the whole assembly ratifies this, the summary curse of the entire torah.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וְאָמַרעַם (H5971) 'people'; singular collective subject, closing the whole antiphonal ceremony.
אָמֵֽןAmenadverb (affirmation) · אָמֵן (H543)Direct quotation, the people's ratifying responseאָמֵן (H543) 'amen, so be it'; the twelfth and final ratification, binding all Israel under the whole torah — the verse Paul cites in Gal 3:10 to show the law's curse falls on all who do not perfectly keep it.