Stones
Stones, large and long, but not high, are the characteristic of Jewish architecture (Mar 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 (Exo 4:25; Jos 5:2-3 margin). Stones were consecrated as memorials to God by anointing, as that at Bethel (Gen 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, Psa 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 Lev 26:1, “image of stone,” margin figured stone.
The “white stone” in Rev 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 (Mat 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).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Stones
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. Exo 28:17-20; 1Ch 29:2; Rev 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. Gen 28:18; Gen 31:45-46; Jos 7:26; Jos 15:6; 1Sa 6:15; 1Sa 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. Exo 4:25; Jos 5:2-3. The law was engraven on stones. Exo 24:12; Jos 8:32; 2Co 3:7. Stones were cast upon land to spoil it for agriculture. 2Ki 3:19; 2Ki 3:25. They were used in the punishment of stoning. Joh 10:31-33. And given as a token of approval, as the white stone in Rev 2:17.
Metaphorically stones represent hardness, strength, firmness: as the ‘stony heart.’ Eze 11:19; Eze 36:26. The Lord Jesus is the ‘stone’ which the Jewish builders refused, but He became the head stone of the corner. Mat 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.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Stones
Commandments engraved upon
Exo 24:12; Exo 31:18; Exo 34:1-4; Deu 4:13; Deu 5:22; Deu 9:9-11; Deu 10:1-3
The law of Moses written upon
Jos 8:32
Houses built of
Isa 9:10; Amo 5:11
Temple built of
1Ki 5:17-18; 1Ki 7:9-12; Mat 24:2; Luk 19:44; Luk 21:5-6
Prepared in the quarries
1Ki 6:7
Hewn
Exo 34:1; Deu 10:1; 1Ki 5:17; 1Ki 6:36; 1Ki 7:9; 2Ki 12:12; 2Ki 22:6; 1Ch 22:2; 2Ch 34:11; Lam 3:9
Sawn
1Ki 7:9
Hewers of
1Ki 5:18; 2Ki 12:12; 1Ch 22:15
City walls built of
Neh 4:3
Memorial pillars of
Gen 28:18-22; Gen 31:45-52; Jos 4:2-9; Jos 4:20-24; Jos 24:25; 1Sa 7:12
Great, as landmarks:
– Abel
1Sa 6:18
– Ezel
1Sa 20:19
– Zoheleth
1Ki 1:9
Cast upon accursed ground
2Ki 3:19; 2Ki 3:25
Used:
– Used:
Jos 8:31
– For weighing
Lev 19:36
– For closing sepulchers
Mat 27:60; Mar 15:46; Mar 16:3
Sepulchers hewn in
Mat 27:60; Mar 15:46; Mar 16:3
Idols made of
Deu 4:28; Deu 28:36; Deu 28:64; Deu 29:17; 2Ki 19:18; Isa 37:19; Eze 20:32
Great, in Solomon’s temple
1Ki 5:17-18; 1Ki 7:9-12
Magnificent, in Herod’s
Mar 13:1
Skill in throwing:
– General references
Jdg 20:16; 1Ch 12:2 Sling; Adamant; Chalcedony; Marble; Onyx; Pillar
Figurative:
– General references
Gen 49:24; Zec 3:9
– Of temptation, »stone of stumbling«
Isa 8:14; Rom 9:33; 1Pe 2:8
– Of Christ, »a tried stone,« »a precious stone,« »a sure foundation«
Isa 28:16
– Of Christ’s rejection, the rejected corner stone
Psa 118:22; Mat 21:42-44; Mar 12:10; Luk 20:17-18; Act 4:11; 1Pe 2:4
– The true foundation
Isa 28:16; Mat 16:18; 1Co 3:11; Eph 2:20; Rev 21:14
– Of Christ, the water of life
1Co 10:4
– Of the impenitent heart
Eze 36:26
– Of the witness of the Spirit, the white stone
Rev 2:17
Symbolic of the kingdom of Christ
Dan 2:34; Dan 2:45
Precious:
– In the breastplate and ephod
Exo 28:9-21; Exo 39:6-14
– Voluntary offerings of, by the Israelites for the breastplate and ephod
Exo 35:27
– Exported from:
b Sheba
1Ki 10:2; 1Ki 10:10; 2Ch 9:9-10; Eze 27:22
b Ophir
1Ki 10:11
– Partial catalogue of
Eze 28:13
– Seen in the foundation of the New Jerusalem in John’s apocalyptic vision
Rev 21:19-20
– In kings’ crowns
2Sa 12:30; 1Ch 20:2
– Figurative
Isa 54:11-12 Agate; Amethyst; Beryl; Carbuncle; Chrysolyte; Chrysoprasus; Coral; Crystal; Diamond; Emerald; Jacinth; Jasper; Ligure; Ruby; Sapphire; Sardius; Sardonyx; Topaz
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Stones
Stones. Besides the ordinary uses to which stones were applied, we may mention that large stones were set up to commemorate any remarkable event. Gen 28:18; Gen 35:14; Gen 31:45; Jos 4:9; 1Sa 7:12. Such stones were occasionally consecrated by anointing. Gen 28:18. Heaps of stones were piled up on various occasions, as in token of a treaty, Gen 31:47, or over the grave of some notorious offender. Jos 7:26; Jos 8:29; 2Sa 18:17.
The “white stone” noticed in Rev 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 Zec 12:3, of the “burdensome stone,” is referred by Jerome to the custom of lifting stones as an exercise of strength, compare Sir_ 6:21; but it may equally well be explained of a large corner-stone as a symbol of strength. Isa 28:16.
Stones are used metaphorically to denote hardness or insensibility, 1Sa 25:37; Eze 11:19; Eze 36:26, as well as firmness or strength. Gen 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. Eph 2:20-22; 1Pe 2:4-8.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
STONES
(precious.) See GEMS.