Reference: Stones
Fausets
Stones, large and long, but not high, are the characteristic of Jewish architecture (Mr 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 (Ex 4:25; Jos 5:2-3 margin). Stones were consecrated as memorials to God by anointing, as that at Bethel (Ge 28:18). The Phoenicians similarly called "meteoric stones" baetylia, and worshipped them. Isa 57:6, "among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion" (i.e. thy gods, Ps 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 Le 26:1, "image of stone," margin figured stone.
The "white stone" in Re 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 Zec 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 (Mt 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" (Eph 2:20-22; 1Pe 2:4-8).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone which he halt lint for his pillow, and put it for a pillar, - and poured out oil upon the top thereof;
So Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it down at his feet, - and said - Surely, a bridegroom by rites of blood, art thou to me!
Ye shall not make unto you idols, - neither image nor pillar, shall ye set up for yourselves, nor sculptured stone, shall ye place in your land, to bow yourselves down thereunto,-For, I Yahweh, am your God.
At that time, said Yahweh unto Joshua, Make thee knives of flint, - and again circumcise the sons of Israel, a second time. So Joshua made him knives of flint, - and circumcised the sons of Israel, at the Hill of Foreskins.
They multiply their idols - another, have they purchased! I will not pour out their drink-offerings of blood, nor will I take up their names on my lips. Yahweh, is mine allotted portion and my cup, Thou, art maintaining my lot.
Among the smooth stones of the torrent - valley, is thy portion. They, they, are thy lot; Even to them, hast thou Poured out a drink-offering. Caused to ascend a gift. Over these things, can I cease to grieve?
And it shall come to pass, in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a lifting-stone, to all the peoples, all who seek to lift her, shall, cut themselves in pieces, - though all the nations of the earth, gather themselves together against her.
And, he that falleth on this stone, will be sorely bruised; but, on whomsoever it may fall, it will utterly destroy him.
And, as he was going forth out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him - Teacher! see what manner of stones, and what manner of buildings!
Having been built up on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, there being, for chief corner stone, Jesus Christ himself, - In whom, an entire building, in process of being fitly joined together, is growing into a holy shrine in the Lord; read more. In whom, ye also, are being builded together, into a habitation of God in Spirit.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what, the Spirit, is saying unto the assemblies. Unto him that overcometh, I will give, unto him, of the hidden manna, and I will give unto him a white stone, and, upon the stone, a new name written, which, no one, knoweth, save he that receiveth it.
Morish
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. Ex 28:17-20; 1Ch 29:2; Re 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. Ge 28:18; 31:45-46; Jos 7:26; 15:6; 1Sa 6:15; 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. Ex 4:25; Jos 5:2-3. The law was engraven on stones. Ex 24:12; Jos 8:32; 2Co 3:7. Stones were cast upon land to spoil it for agriculture. 2Ki 3:19,25. They were used in the punishment of stoning. Joh 10:31-33. And given as a token of approval, as the white stone in Re 2:17.
Metaphorically stones represent hardness, strength, firmness: as the 'stony heart.' Eze 11:19; 36:26. The Lord Jesus is the 'stone' which the Jewish builders refused, but He became the head stone of the corner. Mt 21:42. He is also the 'living stone,' to whom the saints come as 'living stones,' and are built up 'a spiritual house.' 1Pe 2:4-5.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone which he halt lint for his pillow, and put it for a pillar, - and poured out oil upon the top thereof;
So Jacob took a stone, - and set it up as a pillar. Then said Jacob to his brethren - Gather stones. And they took stones and made a heap, - and they did eat there, by the heap.
So Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it down at his feet, - and said - Surely, a bridegroom by rites of blood, art thou to me!
Then said Yahweh unto Moses - Come thou up unto me in the mountain and remain thou there, - for I must give thee tables of stone and the law and the commandment, which I have written to direct them.
And thou shalt set therein a setting of stones, four rows of stones, - one row - a sardius, a topaz and an emerald, the first row; and the second row a carbuncle a sapphire and a diamond; read more. and the third row an opal, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row, a Tarshish stone, a sardonyx, and a jasper, - enclosed with gold, shall they be when they are set.
At that time, said Yahweh unto Joshua, Make thee knives of flint, - and again circumcise the sons of Israel, a second time. So Joshua made him knives of flint, - and circumcised the sons of Israel, at the Hill of Foreskins.
yea they raised over him a great heap of stones which remaineth until this day. And Yahweh turned from the fierceness of his anger, - for which cause, hath the name of that place been called - The Valley of Achor, until this day.
Then wrote he there, upon the stones, a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote, in the presence of the sons of Israel.
And the boundary goeth up Beth-hoglah, and passeth over, on the north, by Beth-arabah, - and the boundary goeth up by the Stone of Bohan, son of Reuben;
And ye shall smite every strong city, and every choice city, and, every goodly tree, shall ye fell, and, all fountains water, shall ye close up, - and, every goodly heritage, shall ye mar with stones.
And, the cities, they pulled down, and, on every goodly heritage, they cast every man his stone, and filled it, and, all fountains of waters, they closed up, and, every goodly tree, they felled, and, though they left the stones thereof in Kir-haraseth, yet the slingers surrounded and smote it.
And I will give them another heart, And a new spirit, will I put within you, - And will take away the heart of stone out of their e flesh, and give them a heart of flesh:
And I will give you a new heart, And a new spirit, will I put within you,-And I will take away the heart of stone, of your flesh, And will give you a heart of flesh;
Jesus saith unto them - Have ye, never, read in the Scriptures, A stone which the builders rejected, the same, hath become, head of the corner: From the Lord, hath this come to pass, and is marvellous in our eyes.
The Jews again lifted up stones, that they might stone him. Jesus answered them - Many works, have I showed you, noble ones, from my Father: For which of those works are ye stoning me? read more. The Jews answered him - Concerning a noble work, are we not stoning thee; but concerning profane speech, - and because, thou, being, a man, art making thyself, God.
Wherein, ye also, walked, at one time, when ye were living in these things;
Unto whom coming near, as unto a living stone - by men, indeed, rejected, but, with God, chosen, held in honour, Yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, well-pleasing unto God through Jesus Christ;
He that hath an ear, let him hear what, the Spirit, is saying unto the assemblies. Unto him that overcometh, I will give, unto him, of the hidden manna, and I will give unto him a white stone, and, upon the stone, a new name written, which, no one, knoweth, save he that receiveth it.
And, the structure of the wall thereof, was jasper, and, the city, was pure gold, like unto pure glass. The foundations of the wall of the city, with every precious stone were adorned: the first foundation, was jasper, the second, sapphire, the third, chalcedony, the fourth, emerald, read more. the fifth, sardonyx, the sixth, sardius, the seventh, chrysolite, the eighth, beryl, the ninth, topaz, the tenth, chrysoprase, the eleventh, hyacinth, the twelfth, amethyst; and, the twelve gates, were twelve pearls, - each one of the gates, severally, was of one pearl; and, the broadway of the city, was pure gold, as transparent glass.
Smith
Stones.
Besides the ordinary uses to which stones were applied, we may mention that large stones were set up to commemorate any remarkable event.
Ge 28:18; 35:14; 31:45; Jos 4:9; 1Sa 7:12
Such stones were occasionally consecrated By anointing.
Heaps of stones were piled up on various occasions, as in token of a treaty,
or over the grave of some notorious offender.
The "white stone" noticed in
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 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
of the "burdensome stone" is referred by Jerome to the custom of lifting stones as an exercise of strength, comp. Ecclus. 6:21; but it may equally well be explained of a large corner-stone as a symbol of strength.
Stones are used metaphorically to denote hardness or insensibility,
as well as firmness or strength.
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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone which he halt lint for his pillow, and put it for a pillar, - and poured out oil upon the top thereof;
So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone which he halt lint for his pillow, and put it for a pillar, - and poured out oil upon the top thereof;
And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone, - and he poured out thereon a drink-offering, and poured thereon oil.
But abideth, as an enduring one, his bow, And supple are the arms of his hands, - From the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, From thence, is the Shepherd the Stone of Israel:
Twelve stones also, did Joshua set up in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where stood the feet of the priests who were bearing the ark of the covenant, - and they have remained there until this day.
yea they raised over him a great heap of stones which remaineth until this day. And Yahweh turned from the fierceness of his anger, - for which cause, hath the name of that place been called - The Valley of Achor, until this day.
And, the king of Ai, hanged he on a tree until eventide, - but, at the going in of the sun, Joshua gave command and they took down his dead body from the tree, and cast it in at the opening of the gate of the city, and raised up over it a great heap of stones - which remaineth until this day.
And it came to pass, in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, and his wife told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became like a stone.
Therefore, Thus, saith My Lord, Yahweh, Behold me! founding in Zion a stone, A stone of testing, The costly corner of a well-laid foundation, he that trusteth, shall not make haste!
And I will give them another heart, And a new spirit, will I put within you, - And will take away the heart of stone out of their e flesh, and give them a heart of flesh:
And I will give you a new heart, And a new spirit, will I put within you,-And I will take away the heart of stone, of your flesh, And will give you a heart of flesh;
And it shall come to pass, in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a lifting-stone, to all the peoples, all who seek to lift her, shall, cut themselves in pieces, - though all the nations of the earth, gather themselves together against her.
Having been built up on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, there being, for chief corner stone, Jesus Christ himself, - In whom, an entire building, in process of being fitly joined together, is growing into a holy shrine in the Lord; read more. In whom, ye also, are being builded together, into a habitation of God in Spirit.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what, the Spirit, is saying unto the assemblies. Unto him that overcometh, I will give, unto him, of the hidden manna, and I will give unto him a white stone, and, upon the stone, a new name written, which, no one, knoweth, save he that receiveth it.