Deuteronomy 27:26

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 27:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Cursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Cursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Deuteronomy 27:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
26Cursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Cursed [be] he that confirmeth not [all] the words of this law to do them, etc.] That is, who does not perfectly perform all that the law requires, and continues to do so; for the law requires obedience, and that perfect and constant, and in failure thereof curses, in proof of which the apostle produces this passage, (see Gill on “<480310>Galatians 3:10”), for the reconciliation of these Scriptures, as to what seeming difference there is between them; and all the people shall say, Amen; (see Gill on “<052715>Deuteronomy 27:1516”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Compare Joshua 8:32-35. The solemnity was apparently designed only for the single occasion on which it actually took place. Deuteronomy 27:12, Deuteronomy 27:13 The tribes appointed to stand on Gerizim to bless the people all sprang from the two wives of Jacob, Leah and Rachel. All the four tribes which sprang from the handmaids Zilpah and Bilhah are located on Ebal. But in order, as it would seem, to effect an equal division, two tribes are added to the latter from the descendants of the wives, that of Reuben, probably because he forfeited his primogeniture Genesis 49:4; and of Zebulun, apparently because he was the youngest son of Leah. The transaction presents itself as a solemn renewal…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Confirmeth not - Or, performeth not. To this we must all say, Amen! Owning ourselves to be under the curse, and that we must have perished for ever, if Christ had not redeemed us from the curse of the law, by being made a curse for us. Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 28”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Cursed: Deu 27:15, 28:15-68; Psa 119:21; Mat 25:41; Co1 16:22 confirmeth: Jer 11:3-5; Eze 18:24; Rom 3:19, Rom 3:20, Rom 10:5; Gal 3:10 Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 28”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification