Chalk-stones

This expression is used only once, Is 27', where Israel's repentance evinces itself by the destruction of idolatrous altars, whose stones are to be as chalk (or lime- stone) broken in pieces, calcined and slaked for mortar (see Delitzsch, ad loc). The expression is of much interest as showing that the practice of burning limestone and slaking with water was practised in Pal. in OT times. The limestone of Pal. consists largely of white granular carbonate of lime of the same geological age as the Chalk formation of England. £. UULL.