In biblical times, plastering was a common practice used in construction and decoration, often mentioned in the context of building and maintaining structures. The use of plaster is referenced in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its significance in ancient architecture and religious practices.

Old Testament References

One of the earliest mentions of plastering is found in the book of Leviticus, where God gives instructions to the Israelites regarding the inspection of houses for mold or mildew. In Leviticus 14:42, it is stated, "Then they are to take other stones to replace these stones and take additional plaster to replaster the house." This passage underscores the importance of maintaining cleanliness and purity in living spaces, reflecting the broader Levitical concern for holiness and ritual purity.

In Deuteronomy 27:2-4, Moses commands the Israelites to set up large stones and coat them with plaster upon crossing the Jordan River: "And on the day you cross the Jordan into the land the LORD your God is giving you, you are to set up large stones and coat them with plaster. Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you." This act of plastering and inscribing the law on stones served as a physical and symbolic reminder of the covenant between God and His people.

The prophet Ezekiel also uses the imagery of plaster in a metaphorical sense. In Ezekiel 13:10-11, false prophets are compared to those who "whitewash" flimsy walls: "Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because when a flimsy wall is built, they plaster it with whitewash, tell those who plaster it with whitewash that it will fall." Here, plastering is used to illustrate the deceptive practices of false prophets who cover up the truth with superficial assurances.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention plastering, the concept of whitewashing is echoed in Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees. In Matthew 23:27, Jesus calls them "whitewashed tombs," which appear beautiful on the outside but are full of dead bones and impurity inside. This metaphor draws on the practice of whitewashing tombs to make them look clean and presentable, while inwardly they remain unclean. This criticism highlights the importance of inner righteousness over outward appearances.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Plastering in biblical times was not only a practical measure for construction but also held cultural and religious significance. The act of plastering and inscribing laws on stones, as seen in Deuteronomy, was a means of preserving and transmitting God's commandments to future generations. It also served as a public declaration of faith and obedience to God's covenant.

In a broader sense, the biblical references to plastering and whitewashing serve as powerful metaphors for integrity, truth, and the dangers of hypocrisy. The physical act of plastering, whether for protection, decoration, or inscription, is imbued with spiritual lessons that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.(imp. & p. p.) of Plaster.2902. tuach -- to overspread, overlay, coat, besmear
... root Definition to overspread, overlay, coat, besmear NASB Word Usage overlay (1),
plaster it over (2), plastered (1), plastered it over (1), plastered over (1 ...
/hebrew/2902.htm - 6k

Some Refinements in Dress and Personal Appearance Lawful, Some ...
... to God. Whatever is born is the work of God. Whatever, then, is plastered
on [180] (that), is the devil's work. To superinduce on ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter v some refinements in dress.htm

False Profession.
... There also hang up the shields that the old warriors have used, and there are plastered
upon the walls the brave achievements which they have done. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xx false profession.htm

Our Expectation
... Some years ago, someone, wishing to mock our holy faith, brought out a handbill,
which was plastered everywhere""Can you trust in a dead man?" Our answer ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/our expectation.htm

Ridicule of the Philosophers.
... demonstrated the stupidity of this man; for, being attacked by dropsy, as he had
studied the art of medicine as well as philosophy, he plastered himself with ...
/.../tatians address to the greeks/chapter iii ridicule of the philosophers.htm

The Cross and the Winepress.
... I was reminded of the lance and sponge. There were also some leathern
bottles, and vases made of bark and plastered with resin. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lv the cross and.htm

Traditionalism, Its Origin, Character, and Literature - the ...
... He is the lawyer,' [440] the well-plastered pit,' [441] filled with the water of
knowledge out of which not a drop can escape,' [442] in opposition to the ...
/.../chapter viii traditionalism its origin.htm

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Events of that Day - the ...
... The highest honour of a scholar was, that he was like a well-plastered cistern,
from which not a drop had leaked of what had been poured into it. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the third day.htm

Death of Jovian; the Life of Valentinian, and his Confidence in ...
... by eating too plentiful a supper; others attribute it to the dampness of the chamber
in which he slept; for it had been recently plastered with unslaked lime ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter vi death of jovian the.htm

How Solomon Built Himself a Royal Palace, Very Costly and Splendid ...
... their leaves were wrought so prodigious thin and subtile, that you would think they
were in motion; but the other part up to the roof, was plastered over, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how solomon built.htm

From Apostolic Teaching Tertullian Turns to that of Companions of ...
... city into an unclean place; and other stones, polished and sound, to be taken and
replaced in the stead of the first, and the house to be plastered with other ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xx from apostolic teaching tertullian.htm

Plastered (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Plaster. Multi-Version Concordance
Plastered (7 Occurrences). Exodus 2:3 And when she could ...
/p/plastered.htm - 8k

Plaster (13 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PLASTER (1). plas'-ter (sidh): In Egypt, now
as in ancient times, the buildings are plastered inside and out. ...
/p/plaster.htm - 13k

Replastered (2 Occurrences)
... the plague comes again, and breaks out in the house, after he has taken out the
stones, and after he has scraped the house, and after it was plastered; (See NAS ...
/r/replastered.htm - 7k

Mildew (26 Occurrences)
... the plague comes again, and breaks out in the house, after he has taken out the
stones, and after he has scraped the house, and after it was plastered; (See NIV ...
/m/mildew.htm - 16k

Lime (4 Occurrences)
... kiln is a thick-walled, cylindrical or conical, roofless structure built of rough
stones without mortar, the spaces between the stones being plastered with clay ...
/l/lime.htm - 11k

Gibeath (2 Occurrences)
... long, plastered all over and shaded by a splendid terebinth." Guerin places it at
Jibia, 3 miles North of Qaryat el-`Anab (Judee, III, 37; Samarie, 106). ...
/g/gibeath.htm - 10k

Grass (92 Occurrences)
... deshe', green grass (Genesis 1:11, 12; Isaiah 66:14; Deuteronomy 32:2). "The sickly
and forced blades of grass which spring up on the flat plastered roofs of ...
/g/grass.htm - 43k

Inspection (23 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 14:48 "If the priest shall come in, and examine it, and behold, the plague
hasn't spread in the house, after the house was plastered, then the priest ...
/i/inspection.htm - 13k

Tanner (3 Occurrences)
... a courtyard. Within are the vats made either of stone masonry, plastered
within and without, or cut out of the solid rock. The sheep ...
/t/tanner.htm - 11k

Reappears (3 Occurrences)
... come again, and break out in the house, after that the stones have been taken out,
and after the house hath been scraped, and after it is plastered; (See NIV). ...
/r/reappears.htm - 7k

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