And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.

DEUTERONOMY 27:3KJV
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Deuteronomy 27:3 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 27:3 mean?

Deuteronomy 27:3 tells the Israelites to put the words of God’s law in writing on stones after they cross into the land God is giving them. The command places the written law at the beginning of their life in the land promised to their ancestors.

Moses and the elders are speaking to the people as they prepare to cross the Jordan River. The stones mentioned in the preceding verse are to carry the words where the people can encounter them. The description “floweth with milk and honey” pictures a fertile land with rich food.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 27:3

  • “law” — תּוֹרָה (torah): This word often means “instruction” or “teaching.” Here it names the body of teaching whose words are to be written on the stones.
  • “floweth” — זוּב (zuv): This word means “to flow” or “to run.” With “milk and honey,” it creates a picture of abundance rather than a description of actual streams of food.

Why Deuteronomy 27:3 matters

  • The writing is meant to be readable. Deuteronomy 27:8 later tells the people to write the words “very plainly,” giving attention to how the words appear on the stones.
  • The land is presented as a gift connected with an earlier promise. Deuteronomy 27:3 says the LORD “giveth” the land and had promised it to the people’s “fathers,” or ancestors.

Where else these words appear

“floweth” Hebrew H2100 · used in 41 verses

  • Exodus 3:8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • Deuteronomy 26:9 And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.

“milk” Hebrew H2461 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 11:9 And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

“honey” Hebrew H1706 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 43:11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
  • Deuteronomy 31:20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
  • Psalms 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!