Stones
Morrish Bible Dictionary [1]
Precious Stones were much valued in Palestine. They were used in the breastplate of the high priest, Solomon garnished the temple with them, and they also abound in the description of the New Jerusalem in the Revelation. As the most costly things on earth they are selected to typify the graces of Christ as reflected in His saints. Exodus 28:17-20; 1 Chronicles 29:2; Revelation 21:18-21 .
Memorial Stones. Large stones, or heaps of stones, were often raised to commemorate an event, or to be a witness of some compact. Genesis 28:18; Genesis 31:45,46; Joshua 7:26; Joshua 15:6; 1 Samuel 6:15; 1 Samuel 7:12 . In the exploration of Palestine many large stones have been found, which apparently had been erected as memorial stones. Heaps of stones are also found where some enemy was defeated, and if the circumstances are known to the Arabs, every passer by is expected to add a stone.
Building Stones. For the foundation of the temple Solomon ordered "great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones." As Jerusalem was built on two or three hills, to obtain a level place for the temple much stonework had to be erected on the shelving rock, before any part of the temple itself could be commenced. Some of such stonework is still to be seen in situ. Some are 'great stones:' one measures 38 feet 9 inches. They are so beautifully squared that they need no cement between them; they have a narrow draft cut along the edges. There is a quarry under Jerusalem, from which much stone had anciently been taken. See Jerusalem.
Stones were also used for other purposes. In early days they were made into weapons; circumcision was practised with sharp stones. Exodus 4:25; Joshua 5:2,3 . The law was engraven on stones. Exodus 24:12; Joshua 8:32; 2 Corinthians 3:7 . Stones were cast upon land to spoil it for agriculture. 2 Kings 3:19,25 . They were used in the punishment of stoning. John 10:31-33 . And given as a token of approval, as the white stone in Revelation 2:17 .
Metaphorically stones represent hardness, strength, firmness: as the 'stony heart.' Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26 . The Lord Jesus is the 'stone' which the Jewish builders refused, but He became the head stone of the corner. Matthew 21:42 . He is also the 'living stone,' to whom the saints come as 'living stones,' and are built up 'a spiritual house.' 1 Peter 2:4,5 .
Fausset's Bible Dictionary [2]
Stones, large and long, but not high, are the characteristic of Jewish architecture ( Mark 13:1). Robinson mentions one 24 ft. long by six broad, and only three high (Res. 1:233, note 284). Flint stones were used as knives for circumcising ( Exodus 4:25; Joshua 5:2-3 margin). Stones were consecrated as memorials to God by anointing, as that at Bethel ( Genesis 28:18). The Phoenicians similarly called "meteoric stones" baetylia , and worshipped them. Isaiah 57:6, "among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion" (i.e. thy gods, Psalms 16:4-5) . Gesenius translated "in the bore places of the valley," but what follows confirms Kjv, "even to them hast thou poured a drink offering"; compare Leviticus 26:1, "image of stone," margin figured stone.
The "white stone" in Revelation 2:17 is a glistering diamond, the Urim ("light" answering to "white") borne by the high priest within the "breast-plate" (choshen ) of judgment, with the twelve tribes' names on the twelve precious stones, next the heart. None but the high priest knew the name written upon it, perhaps "Jehovah." He consulted it in some divinely appointed way. In our Christian dispensation the high-priest's peculiar treasure, consultation of God's light and truth, belongs to all believers as spiritual priests. If the reference be to Greek ideas, the white conveys the idea of acquittal, the stone that of election. In Zechariah 12:3 "I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone ... all that burden themselves with it shall be cut to pieces," alluding to the custom of testing youths' strength by lifting a massive stone ( Matthew 21:44). The Jews "fell" on Messiah "the rock of offense and were broken"; the rock shall fall on antichrist who "burdens himself with it" by his assault on the restored Jews, and "grind him to powder" (Zechariah 13; 14). Christians are "living stones" built up as a spiritual temple on Christ "the chief corner stone" ( Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:4-8).
Smith's Bible Dictionary [3]
Stones. Besides the ordinary uses to which stones were applied, we may mention that large stones were set up to commemorate any remarkable event. Genesis 28:18; Genesis 35:14; Genesis 31:45; Joshua 4:9; 1 Samuel 7:12. Such stones were occasionally consecrated by anointing. Genesis 28:18. Heaps of stones were piled up on various occasions, as in token of a treaty, Genesis 31:47, or over the grave of some notorious offender. Joshua 7:26; Joshua 8:29; 2 Samuel 18:17.
The "white stone" noticed in Revelation 2:17, has been, variously, regarded as referring to the pebble of acquittal used in the Greek courts; to the lot cast in elections in Greece; to both of these combined; to the stones in the high priest's breastplate; to the tickets presented to the victor, at the public games; or, lastly, to the custom of writing on stones.
The notice in Zechariah 12:3, of the "burdensome stone," is referred by Jerome to the custom of lifting stones as an exercise of strength, compare Sirach 6:21; but it may equally well be explained of a large corner-stone as a symbol of strength. Isaiah 28:16.
Stones are used metaphorically to denote hardness or insensibility, 1 Samuel 25:37; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26, as well as firmness or strength. Genesis 49:24. The members of the Church are called "living stones," as contributing to rear that living Temple in which Christ , himself "a living stone," is the chief or head of the corner. Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:4-8.
