The Bible references stones in various contexts, portraying them as symbols, tools, and even as witnesses to God’s laws and acts. From the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments to the stones used by David to defeat Goliath, they carry significant spiritual and historical weight. Stones in Scripture can symbolize strength, permanence, and God’s unchanging nature. They are also used in metaphors to describe Jesus as the cornerstone of faith and believers as ‘living stones’ building a spiritual house. This multifaceted use of stones throughout the Bible highlights their importance in understanding God’s relationship with His people and the foundation of faith.
Intrigued by how stones play into biblical narratives and symbolism? There’s a rich tapestry to unravel.
What Does the Bible Say About Stones?
In the Bible, stones are not mere physical objects but carry deep spiritual symbolism and serve multiple purposes in God’s plan. They are used both literally and figuratively to convey messages of faith, judgment, remembrance, and redemption.
One of the most profound symbols is Jesus Christ being referred to as the cornerstone—the foundational stone upon which the church is built. This imagery portrays the essential role of Christ in the Christian faith, supporting and holding together all that believes in Him.
Stones are also used as memorials. For example, Joshua set up stones to remember the crossing of the Jordan River, serving as a tangible reminder of God’s deliverance and faithfulness. Such acts underscore the importance of remembering and commemorating God’s actions in our lives.
In addition, stones have been tools of judgment and instruments in miraculous acts. David’s slaying of Goliath with a stone demonstrates God’s power to deliver and the victory of faith over seemingly insurmountable odds. Moreover, the law given to Moses was inscribed on stone tablets, symbolizing the permanence and unchanging nature of God’s commands.
However, the Bible also warns against the misuse of stones, as in the act of stoning for capital punishment, reminding us of the severity of sin and the importance of justice in God’s eyes.
Throughout Scripture, stones signify strength, durability, and the eternal nature of God’s provisions and promises. They remind us of our role in building upon the foundation Christ has laid, encouraging us to be strong and steadfast in our faith.
Bible Verses About Stones
- Ephesians 2:19-22 – “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” This passage highlights Jesus as the cornerstone of the church.
- 1 Peter 2:4-5 – “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Believers are described as living stones, building a spiritual community.
- Joshua 4:6-7 – “Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ So these stones shall become a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” Stones as memorials of God’s miracles.
- Exodus 20:1-3 – “And God spoke all these words, saying, ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.'” The Ten Commandments were engraved on stone, signifying the lasting nature of God’s word.
- Genesis 28:18-22 – “Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.” Jacob uses a stone as a memorial of his encounter with God.
- 1 Samuel 17:40 – “Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” David’s selection of stones to defeat Goliath illustrates God’s provision and victory through faith.
- Revelation 2:17 – “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” The white stone signifies approval and a new identity in Christ.
- Matthew 21:42 – “Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” This verse points to Jesus as the rejected stone who becomes the cornerstone of salvation.
- Exodus 31:18 – “When he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, he gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.” The stone tablets of the law symbolize God’s covenant with Israel.
- Luke 19:40 – “He replied, ‘I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.’” Jesus suggests that even the stones would worship Him if people did not, emphasizing the inevitability of His praise.
The Bible’s references to stones weave a rich tapestry of meaning, from the foundational role of Christ in our faith to the personal call to be living stones in a spiritual house. Stones in Scripture remind us of God’s eternal power, the importance of remembrance, and our identity and purpose in Christ. Through these images, we are encouraged to build our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus, the cornerstone, and to contribute to the growth and strength of the spiritual community.