Difference between revisions of "Stone"

<div> '''A — 1: '''''Λίθος''''' ''' (Strong'S #3037 — Noun Masculine — lithos — lee'-thos ) </div> <p> is used (I) literally, of (a) the "stones" of the ground, e.g., &nbsp;Matthew 4:3,6; &nbsp;7:9; (b) "tombstones," e.g., &nbsp;Matthew 27:60,66; (c) "building stones," e.g., &nbsp;Matthew 21:42; (d) "a millstone," &nbsp;Luke 17:2; cp. &nbsp;Revelation 18:21 (see MILLSTONE); (e) the "tables (or tablets)" of the Law, &nbsp; 2—Corinthians 3:7; (f) "idol images," &nbsp;Acts 17:29; (g) the "treasures" of commercial Babylon, &nbsp;Revelation 18:12,16; (II) metaphorically, of (a) Christ, &nbsp;Romans 9:33; &nbsp;1—Peter 2:4,6,8; (b) believers, &nbsp;1—Peter 2:5; (c) spiritual edification by scriptural teaching, &nbsp;1—Corinthians 3:12; (d) the adornment of the foundations of the wall of the spiritual and heavenly Jerusalem, &nbsp;Revelation 21:19; (e) the adornment of the seven angels in &nbsp;Revelation 15:6 , RV (so the best texts; some have linon, "linen," AV); (f) the adornment of religious Babylon, &nbsp;Revelation 17:4; (III) figuratively, of Christ, &nbsp;Revelation 4:3; &nbsp;21:11 , where "light" stands for "Light-giver" (phoster). </p> <div> '''A — 2: '''''Ψῆφος''''' ''' (Strong'S #5586 — Noun [[Feminine]] — psephos — psay'-fos ) </div> <p> "a smooth stone, a pebble," worn smooth as by water, or polished (akin to psao, "to rub"), denotes (a) by metonymy, a vote (from the use of "pebbles" for this purpose; cp. psephizo, "to count"), &nbsp;Acts 26:10 , RV (AV, "voice"); (b) a (white) "stone" to be given to the overcomer in the church at Pergamum, &nbsp;Revelation 2:17 (twice); a white "stone" was often used in the social life and judicial customs of the ancients; festal days were noted by a white "stone," days of calamity by a black; in the courts a white "stone" indicated acquittal, a black condemnation. A host's appreciation of a special guest was indicated by a white "stone" with the name or a message written on it; this is probably the allusion here. </p> &nbsp;John 1:42Rock. <div> '''B — 1: '''''Λιθοβολέω''''' ''' (Strong'S #3036 — Verb — lithoboleo — lith-ob-ol-eh'-o ) </div> <p> "to pelt with stones" (A, No. 1, and ballo, "to throw"), "to stone to death," occurs in &nbsp;Matthew 21:35; &nbsp;23:37; &nbsp;Luke 13:34 (&nbsp; John 8:5 in some mss.: see No. 2); &nbsp; Acts 7:58,59; &nbsp;14:5; &nbsp;Hebrews 12:20 . </p> <div> '''B — 2: '''''Λιθάζω''''' ''' (Strong'S #3034 — Verb — lithazo — lith-ad'-zo ) </div> <p> "to stone," virtually equivalent to No. 1, but not stressing the casting, occurs in &nbsp;John 8:5 (in the most authentic mss.); 10:31-33; 11:8; &nbsp; Acts 5:26; &nbsp;14:19; &nbsp;2—Corinthians 11:25; &nbsp;Hebrews 11:37 . </p> <div> '''B — 3: '''''Καταλιθάζω''''' ''' (Strong'S #2642 — Verb — katalithazo — kat-al-ith-ad'-zo ) </div> <p> an intensive form of No. 2, "to cast stones at," occurs in &nbsp;Luke 20:6 . </p> <div> '''C — 1: '''''Λίθινος''''' ''' (Strong'S #3035 — Adjective — lithinos — lith'-ee-nos ) </div> <p> "of stone" (akin to A, No. 1), occurs in &nbsp;John 2:6; &nbsp;2—Corinthians 3:3; &nbsp;Revelation 9:20 . </p>

<p> The stone is used as a type of many things throughout the Scripture. In both the Old [[Testament]] and the New, it represents the Lord [[Jesus Christ]] or the child of GOD, or the truth of GOD. Sometimes it represents glory and beauty. It stands for solidity and permanence. We will give here some of these typical meanings: </p> <p> &nbsp;Genesis 11:3 (c) Man-made doctrines are substituted for GOD's Word. </p> <p> &nbsp;Genesis 49:24 (a) This represents the Lord [[Jesus Christ]]  </p> <p> &nbsp;Exodus 20:25 (c) The thought in this passage probably is that the stones represent GOD's truth as revealed in His Word, and man is not to alter it nor change it in any way. False teachers and leaders do take GOD's Word and twist the meaning to suit their own theology. They take the passage from its text and misuse it. It is this that is forbidden by this type. (See also &nbsp;Deuteronomy 27:6; &nbsp;Joshua 8:31; &nbsp;1 Kings 6:7). </p> <p> &nbsp;Exodus 24:12 (c) The commandments were on stone, not on rubber, which would bend or stretch. It speaks of permanence and durability. </p> <p> &nbsp;1 Samuel 17:49 (c) This may represent a portion of the Scripture, the Gospel. </p> <p> &nbsp;Job 28:3 (b) We may understand these to be matters that are difficult to understand, and require much investigation and research. </p> <p> &nbsp;Psalm 118:22 (b) There is no doubt but that this type represents the Lord [[Jesus Christ]] as the One in whom we trust for eternity. [[Israel]] rejected him as the foundation of their faith, but GOD exalted Him as the foundation of the Church. (See &nbsp;Isaiah 28:16; &nbsp;1 Peter 2:6). </p> <p> &nbsp;Psalm 144:12 (a) These represent beautiful daughters, refined, cultured, substantial and solid in their faith. They are dependable and trustworthy. </p> <p> &nbsp;Proverbs 26:27 (b) This is probably a type of gossip, malicious lie, or a false report which when started returns to injure the one who told it. </p> <p> &nbsp;Isaiah 8:14 (a) This type represents the Lord [[Jesus]] for He stood in the way of Israel. In rejecting Him they fell from their place of power and influence, and have been scattered abroad as a punishment for their sins. His Name and His presence are an offense to the nation of Israel. (See also &nbsp;Matthew 21:42; &nbsp;Mark 12:10). </p> <p> &nbsp;Isaiah 28:16 (a) This type of [[Christ]] reveals Him as being tried and tested by men and circumstances, and proving His perfection. </p> <p> &nbsp;Isaiah 34:11 (b) These are types of those matters which look good, but have no value. They make a big show, but have no reality. These things are hypocritical, pretending to be what they are not. They look like stones, but really are puff balls. </p> <p> &nbsp;Lamentations 3:9 (b) GOD permitted His prophet to be surrounded with wicked men and evil workers so that he could not go about His work easily nor comfortably. </p> <p> &nbsp;Ezekiel 28:14 (b) Satan's glory is thus described. The unsaved follow the Devil's plans and programs, thinking he has permanent value, and will give permanent blessing. </p> <p> &nbsp;Daniel 2:34 (b) The Lord JESUS is this stone who comes in His sovereign power to crush all opposition, to defeat his enemies, and to set up his own kingdom throughout the earth. </p> <p> &nbsp;Zechariah 3:9 (b) This also is a type of CHRIST who is brought before men for their trust and confidence. It also represents CHRIST, Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, and yet the One who sends and gives the [[Holy]] Spirit. (See also &nbsp;Zechariah 4:7). </p> <p> &nbsp;Matthew 21:44 (a) [[Christ Jesus]]  is this stone, the Rock of ages, the foundation of all GOD's church and kingdom. When He crushes His enemies beneath His feet, they will be utterly broken, but those who, feeling their need, rest their lives and hearts on Him, they are eternally blessed. (See also &nbsp;Luke 20:18). </p> <p> &nbsp;Luke 20:17 (a) [[Christ Jesus]]  is this stone. He was rejected by Israel, and is still rejected by that nation. (See also &nbsp;Acts 4:11; &nbsp;1 Peter 2:4-7). </p> <p> &nbsp;1 Corinthians 3:12 (b) The good works of GOD's people carried on for the glory of GOD, the honor of CHRIST, and by the leading of the Spirit, are solid, substantial and eternal in their character. </p> <p> &nbsp;1 Peter 2:5 (a) [[Christians]] are reckoned to be a part of CHRIST, and so they are as small stones broken off from the big stone, the Rock of Ages. They partake of His appearance and character. </p> <p> &nbsp;Revelation 2:17 (b) Since the [[Scripture]] says that no man knows what this represents, we can hardly dare to express an opinion. It certainly represents some pure precious gift solid and eternal in character which the Lord will give to the overcomer. </p> <p> &nbsp;Revelation 17:4 (b) This type refers to the great wealth and beauty that is seen and adorns false religions. Their magnificence is wonderful and attracts those who do not know our Lord. </p> <p> &nbsp;Revelation 21:11 (b) This is poetic language which describes the glory of GOD by telling us of things we can understand, as a comparison to things we cannot understand. </p>

<p> <em> 'Eben </em> ( '''''אֶבֶן''''' , Strong'S #68), “stone.” A comparison of Semitic languages shows that <em> 'eben </em> was the common word for “stone” among the ancients. Exact philological and semantic cognates are found in Akkadian, Ugaritic, Phoenician, Aramaic, Old South Arabic, and several Ethiopic dialects. The Greek Old Testament usually has <em> lithos </em> (lithos) for <em> 'eben. </em> Used almost exclusively for movable stone(s), <em> 'eben </em> is to be distinguished from <em> cela’ </em> , “rock,” and <em> tsur </em> , “cliff.” </p> <p> The noun <em> 'eben </em> occurs in the Old Testament 260 times, with almost equal frequency in the singular (and collective) as in the plural. It appears more frequently in prose than in poetry. </p> <p> Palestine was (and is) famous for its ubiquitous “stone.” So much was “stone” a part of the ancient writer’s consciousness that it served the literary interests of simile (Exod. 15:5), metaphor (Ezek. 11:19), and hyperbole (1 Kings 10:27; 2 Chron. 1:15; 9:27). That building with “stone” was the rule rather than the exception in Palestine is suggested by the biblical writer’s allusion to the Mesopotamian custom of using clay bricks (Gen. 11:3). Yet it seems that [[Israelite]] craftsmen at the time of David lagged behind somewhat in the art of stonework, for stonemasons from [[Tyre]] were employed in constructing the royal residence (2 Sam. 5:11). </p> <p> Beyond their use as a construction material, “stones” served as covers for wells (Gen. 29:3ff.), storage containers (Exod. 7:19), weights (Deut. 25:13; Prov. 11:1), and slingstones (1 Sam. 17:49). Plumblines were suspended stones (Isa. 34:11); pavement was sometimes made of “stone” (2 Kings 16:17); and the Bible speaks of hailstones (Josh. 10:11; Ezek. 13:11ff.). The Israelite custom of cave burials presumes stone tombs (Isa. 14:19); on 3 occasions when bodies were not interred, they were heaped with “stones” (Josh. 7:26; 8:29; 2 Sam. 18:17). </p> <p> Pentateuchal laws relating to purity-impurity concepts stipulated that certain crimes were punishable by stoning. The standard formula employed either the verb <em> ragam </em> or <em> caqal </em> —followed by a preposition and the noun <em> 'eben. </em> Included under this penalty were the crimes of blasphemy (Lev. 24:23; Num. 15:35-36), [[Molech]] worship (Lev. 20:2), idolatry (Deut. 13:10), and prostitution (Deut. 22:21, 24). Originally, stoning was a means of merely expelling the lawbreaker from the community; however, in ancient Israel it was a means of capital punishment whereby the community could rid itself of the impure offender without coming into direct contact with him. </p> <p> As for the cult, the carved “stone” figurines commonly worshiped throughout the ancient Near East were strictly forbidden to Israel (Lev. 26:1). To carve “stone” which was to be used in the cult was to profane it (Exod. 20:25). Altars and memorials especially common to the patriarchal age and the period of the Conquest were all made of unhewn “stones” (Gen. 28:18ff.; 31:45; Josh. 4:5; 24:26-27). Of the cult objects in Israel’s wilderness shrine, only the tablets of the Decalogue were made of “stone” (Exod. 24:12; 34:1, 4; Deut. 4:13; Ezek. 40:42—the stone tables of Ezekiel’s temple served only utilitarian purposes). </p> <p> Precious “stones” such as onyx (Gen. 2:12) and sapphire (Ezek. 1:26) are mentioned frequently in the Bible, especially with regard to the high priest’s ephod and breastplate (Exod. 39:6ff.). The expensiveness of the high priest’s garments corresponded to the special workmanship of the most holy place where Aaron served. </p> <p> In certain texts, <em> 'eben </em> has been given theological interpretations. God is called the “stone of Israel” in Gen. 49:24. And several occurrences of <em> 'eben </em> in the Old Testament have been viewed as messianic, as evidenced by the Greek Old Testament, rabbinic writings, and the New Testament, among them: Gen. 28:18; Ps. 118:22; Isa. 8:14; 28:16; Dan. 2:34; Zech. 4:7. </p>

<p> The allusion in &nbsp;Revelation 2:17 may be to the practice at the Olympic games of giving the successful competitor a white stone, inscribed with his name and the value of his prize; or to the mode of balloting with black and white stones on the question of the acquittal of an accused person, or his admission to certain privileges; if the stones deposited in the urn by the judges were all white, the decision was favorable. In early ages, flint-stone knives were in common use, instead of steel, &nbsp; Exodus 4:25 &nbsp; Joshua 5:2 . </p> <p> It was also customary to raise a heap or mound of stones in commemoration of any remarkable event, &nbsp;Genesis 31:46 &nbsp; Joshua 4:5-7 &nbsp; 7:26 &nbsp; 8:29 &nbsp; 2 Samuel 18:17 . The same custom still prevails in Syria, and passing travellers are wont to add each one a stone to the heap. See [[Corner Stone]] </p>