Stone

Stones were commonly used for buildings, also as memorials of important events (Gen. 28:18; Josh. 24:26, 27; 1 Sam. 7:12, etc.). They were gathered out of cultivated fields (Isa. 5:2; comp. 2 Kings 3:19). This word is also used figuratively of believers (1 Pet. 2:4, 5), and of the Messiah (Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42; Acts 4:11, etc.). In Dan. 2:45 it refers also to the Messiah. He is there described as “cut out of the mountain.” (See ROCK.) A “heart of stone” denotes great insensibility (1 Sam. 25:37). Stones were set up to commemorate remarkable events, as by Jacob at Bethel (Gen. 28:18), at Padan-aram (35:4), and on the occasion of parting with Laban (31:45-47); by Joshua at the place on the banks of the Jordan where the people first “lodged” after crossing the river (Josh. 6:8), and also in “the midst of Jordan,” where he erected another set of twelve stones (4:1-9); and by Samuel at “Ebenezer” (1 Sam. 7:12).

STONE. Gen 35:14. Houses of stone were common among the Hebrews, as they are now in Palestine. The more elegant structures were built of hewn and squared stones. Amos says to the luxurious Israelites, "Ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them." Am 5:11. When Solomon was about to raise the temple, he "commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house." 1 Kgs 5:17. Stones were often used as we use knives, Ex 4:25; Josh 5:2, and we are told that stone knives were used by the Egyptians in preparing dead bodies for the process of embalming. The disciples of Christ are called stones, or lively (living) stones, 1 Pet 2:5, in allusion to their connection with Christ, upon whom they are built up compactly together, as upon the one only foundation which God has laid, the living Stone, 1 Pet 2:4, or the Source of life. A "heart of stone" is a figurative expression, importing great hardness and impenitency. A stone is sometimes put for an idol. Hab 2:19, Heaps of stones were raised to mark some signal providence of God in the way of either deliverance or punishment. Josh 4:4-7. The weights of the Hebrews were also called stones.

STONE, WHITE, is supposed by many to be an allusion to the practice of some ancient nations of passing judgment on an accused person. Rev 2:17. Those in favor of acquitting him cast a white ball into an urn, and those who adjudged him guilty cast in a black ball; and if the number of the former exceeded that of the latter, the prisoner was discharged. Others think reference is made to the white stones which were given to conquerors in the Olympian games with their names written upon them, and the value of the prize they won. So the new name mentioned in Isa 62:2 may denote the adoption of the individual into the family of God, by which he is admitted to privileges and blessings known only to him who possesses them. Archbishop Trench brings out what is probably the best interpretation. He repudiates the idea that this symbol was borrowed from heathen antiquity, and maintains it was a diamond, the Urim and Thummim.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Concreted earthy or mineral matter; also, any particular mass of such matter; as, a house built of stone; the boy threw a stone; pebbles are rounded stones. "Dumb as a stone." Chaucer. They had brick for stone, and slime . . . for mortar. Gen. xi. 3.

2. A precious stone; a gem. "Many a rich stone." Chaucer. "Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels." Shak.

3. Something made of stone. Specifically: -

4. The glass of a mirror; a mirror. [Obs.] Lend me a looking-glass; If that her breath will mist or stain the stone, Why, then she lives. Shak.

5. A monument to the dead; a gravestone. Gray. Should some relenting eye Glance on the where our cold relics lie. Pope.

6. A calculous concretion, especially one in the kidneys or bladder; the disease arising from a calculus.

7. One of the testes; a testicle. Shak.

8. The hard endocarp of drupes; as, the stone of a cherry or peach. See Illust. of Endocarp.

9. A weight which legally is fourteen pounds, but in practice varies with the article weighed. [Eng.]

10. Fig.: Symbol of hardness and insensibility; torpidness; insensibility; as, a heart of stone. I have not yet forgot myself to stone. Pope.

11. A stand or table with a smooth, flat top of stone, commonly marble, on which to arrange the pages of a book, newspaper, etc., before printing; -- called also imposing stone.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To pelt, beat, or kill with stones. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Acts vii. 59.

2. To make like stone; to harden. O perjured woman! thou dost stone my heart. Shak.

3. To free from stones; also, to remove the seeds of; as, to stone a field; to stone cherries; to stone raisins.

4. To wall or face with stones; to line or fortify with stones; as, to stone a well; to stone a cellar.

5. To rub, scour, or sharpen with a stone.