And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.

DEUTERONOMY 11:29KJV
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Deuteronomy 11:29 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 11:29 mean?

Deuteronomy 11:29 describes how, once the Israelites enter the land God is giving them, they are to declare a blessing on Mount Gerizim and a curse on Mount Ebal. This sets up a public reminder of the consequences of obeying or disobeying God's commands as they settle in their new home.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites before they cross into Canaan. He gives instructions for a ceremony that will take place once they arrive, using two specific mountains as symbols. Mount Gerizim represents blessing, while Mount Ebal represents curse, making the choice between following God's ways or turning away very clear and memorable for the people.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 11:29

  • "Blessing" (בְּרָכָה, berakhah) and "curse" (קְלָלָה, qelalah) are paired to show the stark contrast between the outcomes of obedience and disobedience. These are not just words but represent real-life consequences for the nation.
  • "Put" (נָתַן, natan) here means to set or declare. The people are to actively place the blessing and curse on the mountains, making this a deliberate and public act, not just a private thought.
  • "Mount Gerizim" (הַר גְּרִזִּים, har Gerizim) and "Mount Ebal" (הַר עֵיבָל, har Ebal) are real locations near Shechem. Their physical presence gave the ceremony a strong visual impact, helping the people remember the lesson.

Why Deuteronomy 11:29 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the blessings and curses are not abstract ideas but are tied to specific actions and places, making the choice before the Israelites very concrete.
  • It shows how Moses used vivid, public ceremonies to teach and remind the people of their covenant with God, emphasizing the seriousness of their commitment.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Deuteronomy of choosing life and blessing by following God's instructions, which is a central message throughout the book.

Where else these words appear

“Gerizim” Hebrew H1630 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 27:12 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:
  • Joshua 8:33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.
  • Judges 9:7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

“Ebal” Hebrew H5858 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 36:23 And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
  • Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
  • Joshua 8:33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

“curse” Hebrew H7045 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 27:12 My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
  • Deuteronomy 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
  • Proverbs 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

“blessing” Hebrew H1293 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • Deuteronomy 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
  • Psalms 109:17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.