Deuteronomy 27:2

“And it shall be, on the day when you shall pass over Jordan, etc.] 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 <060403>Joshua 4:3,8,9 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, (<052704>Deuteronomy 27:4); nor had the stones set up in Jordan any such…”

“The stones here named are not those of which the altar Deuteronomy 27:5 was to be built, but are to serve as a separate monument witnessing to the fact that the people took possession of the land by virtue of the Law inscribed on them and with an acknowledgment of its obligations. return to 'Top of Page'”

“On that day - About that time, for it was not done 'till some days after their passing over. Deuteronomy 27:3”

“on the day: Deu 6:1, Deu 9:1, Deu 11:31; Jos 1:11, Jos 4:1, 5-24 unto the: Deu 27:3, Deu 26:1 great stones: Eze 11:19, Eze 36:26 and plaster: Houbigant and others are of opinion that the original words, wesadta othom beseed, should be rendered "thou shalt cement them with cement," because this was intended to be a durable monument. Some suppose that the writing was to be in relievo, and that the spaces were to be filled up by the mortar or cement; as is frequently the case with eastern inscriptions. Deuteronomy 27:3”