Deuteronomy 27:2

2 On the day you cross the Jordan into the land that God, your God, is giving you, erect large stones and coat them with plaster.

Deuteronomy 27:2 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 27:2

And it shall be, on the day when you shall pass over Jordan,
&c.] Not the precise day exactly, but about that time, a little after they passed that river, as soon as they conveniently could; for it was not till after Ai was destroyed that the following order was put in execution; indeed as soon as they passed over Jordan, they were ordered to take twelve stones, and did; but then they were set up in a different place, and for a different purpose; see ( Joshua 4:3 Joshua 4:8 Joshua 4:9 ) ( 8:31 ) ;

unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set
thee up great stones;
not in Jordan, as Jarchi, but on Mount Ebal, ( Deuteronomy 27:4 ) ; nor had the stones set up in Jordan any such inscription as what is here ordered to be set on these:

and plaster them with plaster:
that so words might be written upon them, and be more conspicuous, and more easily read.

Deuteronomy 27:2 In-Context

1 Moses commanded the leaders of Israel and charged the people: Keep every commandment that I command you today.
2 On the day you cross the Jordan into the land that God, your God, is giving you, erect large stones and coat them with plaster.
3 As soon as you cross over the river, write on the stones all the words of this Revelation so that you'll enter the land that God, your God, is giving you, that land flowing with milk and honey that God, the God-of-Your-Fathers, promised you.
4 So when you've crossed the Jordan, erect these stones on Mount Ebal. Then coat them with plaster.
5 Build an Altar of stones for God, your God, there on the mountain. Don't use an iron tool on the stones;
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.