According to the command of God, the Israelites had stacked two sets of 12-stones each; one in the middle of the Jordan River and one on the bank. "What mean ye by these stones?  Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:6-7