“And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.”
Deuteronomy 27:5 is part of a larger passage known as the “Ceremony of the Curses.” In this ceremony, Moses instructed the Israelites to gather on Mount Ebal after entering the Promised Land. There, they were to build an altar to the Lord their God using uncut stones and offer sacrifices.
The verse emphasizes a specific requirement for constructing the altar: the prohibition against using iron tools. Instead, the altar was to be built solely with natural stones. This prohibition had symbolic and practical implications.
Symbolically, the use of stones in constructing the altar conveyed the idea of presenting offerings to God in their natural state, without human intervention. Iron tools, on the other hand, were associated with human craftsmanship and the shaping of materials. By forbidding the use of iron tools, God emphasized the importance of approaching Him with offerings that were unadorned and untouched by human manipulation.
Practically, the prohibition against iron tools ensured that the altar was not fashioned with weapons of war. Iron was commonly used in the crafting of weapons, so this restriction served as a reminder that the altar was a place of worship, peace, and reconciliation, rather than a site of conflict or violence. It emphasized the sacred nature of the altar and the reverence required when presenting offerings to God.
It’s important to note that this verse is specific to the construction of the altar mentioned in the context of the Ceremony of the Curses. It does not apply universally to all altars or construction projects. Throughout the Bible, we find other instances where iron tools were used in the construction of altars and other structures (e.g., Solomon’s temple). Therefore, this prohibition is limited to the particular circumstances and symbolism of the altar in Deuteronomy 27:5.
In summary, Deuteronomy 27:5 emphasizes the use of uncut stones and the exclusion of iron tools in the construction of an altar to the Lord. This requirement highlights the symbolic significance of presenting offerings to God in their natural state, as well as the sacred nature of the altar as a place of peace and worship.
