572. Unstable Walls

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Kitto is of the opinion that reference is here made to “cob-walls”; that is, walls which are made of beaten earth rammed into molds or boxes, to give shape and consistence, and then emptied from the molds, layer by layer, on the wall, where it dries as the work goes on. Such walls cannot stand the effects of the weather, and houses built on this principle soon crumble and decay. See note on Job 15:2828And he dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps. (Job 15:28) (#411). To protect them from the weather a very fine mortar is sometimes made, which is laid thickly on the outside the walls. When this mortar is properly mixed with lime it answers the purpose designed; but where the lime is left out, as is often the case, the “untempered mortar” is no protection. For mode of making mortar, see note on Leviticus 14:4242And they shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other mortar, and shall plaster the house. (Leviticus 14:42) (#159).
Some commentators, however, translate taphel, which in our version is rendered “untempered mortar,” by the word “whitewash.” They represent the idea of the text to be the figure of a wall of unendurable material, and coated, not with cement which might protect it, but with a mere thin covering of lime, which gives the wall a finished durable appearance, which its real character does not warrant. Thus Paul calls the high priest, “thou whited wall” (Acts 23:33Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? (Acts 23:3)). See note on “whited sepulchers” under Matthew 23:2727Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (Matthew 23:27) (#702).