Deuteronomy 27:11-13

Deuteronomy 27:11-13

[11] And Moses  charged  the people  the same day,  saying,  [12] These shall stand  upon mount  Gerizim  to bless  the people,  when ye are come over  Jordan;  Simeon,  and Levi,  and Judah,  and Issachar,  and Joseph,  and Benjamin:  [13] And these shall stand  upon mount  Ebal  to curse;  Reuben,  Gad,  and Asher,  and Zebulun,  Dan,  and Naphtali. 

What does Deuteronomy 27:11-13 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

We should read the instructions for this ceremony with Joshua 8:30-35, where God recorded the fulfillment of Moses" commands. Mt. Gerizim was the southern of the two hills and Mt. Ebal the northern on either side of Shechem. As Israel faced east, Mt. Gerizim would have been on her right hand, the traditional place of blessing, and Mt. Ebal on her left. The representatives of the six tribes who stood on Mt. Gerizim were all sons of Leah and Rachel. The tribes on Mt. Ebal were descendants of the maids of these women (Gad, Asher, Daniel , and Naphtali) plus Reuben and Zebulun. Reuben was the son of Leah who had lost his birthright because of his sin, and Zebulun was the youngest son of Leah.