Definition: Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Deuteronomy 27:6. It’s a really important passage from the Old Testament, and it speaks about how to honor God. Here's a simple explanation: What it says: “Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:” Let's unpack it into smaller parts: “Thou shalt build…” : This is a command, meaning it’s a rule or instruction for someone to do something. “…the altar of the LORD thy God…” : This means you need to create a special place – an altar – dedicated to God. “The LORD thy God” refers to God as the one being honored. The word "altar" implies a sacred, significant space. “of whole stones…” : This is where it gets interesting. It says you must build the altar with whole stones. It’s not just a small pile of rocks. “…and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God:” This is the key part. You need to offer something – like food, incense, or other items – to the altar. And you must present it as a sacrifice (a gift) to God. “Burned offerings” means they are burned – it's a way of showing your devotion and respect. What’s the big idea? This verse is about showing reverence and dedication to God by creating a physical place dedicated to Him. It's saying that you should actively honor and worship God by making a tangible offering of something precious to him. Important Context (Briefly): This passage comes after the story of King David, who had made many sacrifices to God. This verse is a warning against vanity – to not build monuments or things that are only for human admiration, but to focus on honoring God through worship and sacrifice. It’s about recognizing that your relationship with God is sacred. In short: Deuteronomy 27:6 tells us to create a special place to honor God by building a stone altar and offering sacrifices to Him. --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail, or perhaps explore the historical context? For example, we could talk about: Why this passage was important during that time period. What types of offerings were common at this time?