the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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Bible Encyclopedias
Stone
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (usually אֶבֶן, eben; but occasionally סֵלֵע, sela, or צוּר, tsur, both of which are rather a rock; λίθος, sometimes πέτρος or ψῆφος ). In such rocky countries as Mount Sinai and Syria, stones were naturally of very frequent reference in Biblical language. (See ROCK).
The kinds of ordinary stone mentioned by ancient and modern writers as found in Palestine (q.v.) are chiefly limestone (Isaiah 27:9) [especially marble (q.v.)] and sandstone; occasionally basalt (Josephus, Ant. 8, 7, 4), flint, and firestone (2 Maccabees 10:3). (See Wagner, De Lapidibus Judaicis [Hal. 1724]). (See MINERAL).
The uses to which stones were applied in ancient Palestine were very various.
1. They were used for the ordinary purposes of building, and in this respect the most noticeable point is the very large size to which they occasionally run (Mark 13:1). Robinson gives the dimensions of one as 24 feet long by 6 feet broad and 3 feet high (Res. 1, 233; see also p. 284, note). (See QUARRY). For most public edifices hewn stones were used. An exception was made in regard to altars, which were to be built of unhewn stone (Exodus 20:25; Deuteronomy 27:5; Joshua 8:31), probably as being in a more natural state. The Phoenicians were particularly famous for their skill in hewing stone (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5:18). Stones were selected of certain colors in order to form ornamental string courses. In 1 Chronicles 29:2 we find enumerated onyx stones and stones to be set, glistening stones (lit. stones of eye-paint), and of divers colors (i.e. streaked with veins), and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones" (comp. 2 Chronicles 3:6). They were also employed for pavements (2 Kings 16:17; comp Esther 1:6)
2. Large stones were used for closing the entrances of caves (Joshua 10:18; Daniel 6:17), sepulchres (Matthew 27:60; John 11:38; John 20:1), and springs (Genesis 29:2).
3. Flint stones ( צוּר or צֹר ) occasionally served the purpose of a knife, particularly for circumcision and similar objects (Exodus 4:25; Joshua 5:2-3; comp. Herod. 2, 86; Plutarch, Nicias, 13; Catull. Carm. 62, 5). (See KNIFE).
4. Stones were further used as a munition of war for slings (1 Samuel 17:40; 1 Samuel 17:49), catapults (2 Chronicle 26:14), and bows (Wisdom of Solomon 5:22; comp. 1 Maccabees 6:51). Also as boundary marks (Deuteronomy 19:14; Deuteronomy 27:17; Job 24:12; Proverbs 22:28; Proverbs 23:10) such were probably the stone of Bohan (Joshua 15:6; Joshua 18:17), the stone of Abel (1 Samuel 6:15; 1 Samuel 6:18), the stone Ezel (20:19), the great stone by Gibeon (2 Samuel 20:8), and the stone Zoheleth (1 Kings 1:9). Finally as weights for scales (Deuteronomy 25:13; Proverbs 16:11); and for mills (2 Samuel 11:21).
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