Deuteronomy 27:2

Stones. Jewish commentators say that there were three sets of stones erected, one in the midst of Jordan itself (Joshua 4:9), another at Gilgal (Joshua 4:20), and a third on Mt. Ebal (Deut. 27:4). Others think that 12 pillars in all were erected, as when Moses ratified the covenant between Jehovah and Israel (Ex. 24:4). Nothing is said as to the size or number of these stones, except that they were sufficiently large to provide space for writing on them the Ten Commandments and the laws given through Moses.

Plaister them. In many nations it was the custom to engrave the wording in the stone itself; here, an Egyptian process was followed. A coat of well-ground lime, which would set nearly as hard as modern cement, was plastered over the stones. This coating would present a smooth, hard surface for the pigmented lettering. Such inscriptions, however, were not permanent for sooner or later the plaster would crack and fall away. With this type of work the Israelites must have become familiar in Egypt, and some were no doubt expert in it. The verb translated “to plaister” is found only in vs. 2 and 4 of this chapter. The noun form, “plaister,” also appears only here, and as “lime” in Isa. 33:12 and Amos 2:1.