STONE
The rocky soil of Palestine often required stones to be removed from the fields before they could be cultivated (Isa. 5:2). In war, the enemy’s fields and wells were destroyed by throwing stones into them (2 Kings 3:19, 25). Various uses of stones:
(A) Construction: on docks, docks (Wars 1:21, 6); fortifications (1 Kings 15:22; Neh. 4:3); houses (Lev. 14:45; Am. 5:11); palaces (1 Kings 7:1, 9); fortresses, temples (1 Kings 6:7); paving of patios, columns (Est. 1:6).
Under Herod, and also in other times, the streets were paved. Aqueducts, tanks, bridges, and protective walls for the vineyards were made of stone (Prov. 24:30, 31). The stones of the altars (Ex. 20:25), of the walls and of the memorial piles were not to be carved (Gen. 31:46).
Heaps of rough stones were the tombs of those voted to be accursed (Josh. 7:26; 8:29; 2 Sam. 18:17). This form of burial is still customary in Syria and Arabia, even if it is not criminals.
Certain buildings required sawn, carved stones (1 Pet. 7:9-11), sometimes of large size; this was the case for the construction of the Temple walls (1 Pet. 7:10) and for the Caesarea dock, built by Herod (Wars 1:21, 6).
(B) Isolated blocks. Used to cover cisterns, wells, the entrance to tombs (Gen. 29:2; Mt. 27:60; Jn. 11:38), as boundary stones for the edges of fields (Dt. 19:14) and, probably , as indicators (Jer. 31:21).
In Roman times, military stones were found along the main communication routes; there were between Tire and Sidon, between Pella and Gerasa; some of them are still in place. Stones were raised to remember certain people
or events (Gen. 31:45; 35:14, 20; 2 Sam. 18:18).
Annals were inscribed on certain of these monuments (see MESA [STELE OF)). Idols were made with stones (Lev. 26:1; Deut. 29:17; 2 Kings 19:18; cf. Is. 57:6). Certain stones, almost always aerolites, became sacred to the pagans. In gr. They were called “baituloi” and “baitulia.”
It was claimed that they could move, speak, and protect men from evil. Its Greek name, most likely of Semitic origin, is related to the term “beth’êl” and possibly indicates that the stone was considered to be the abode of a supernatural power, spirit or divinity.
The Semites used this term to designate the rudimentary stelae erected where a cult was held (Deut. 12:3). (See HIGH PLACES.) The Israelites sometimes erected a memorial stone at the place where God had revealed Himself to them (Gen. 28:18-22; 35:14; 1 Sam. 7:12; Is. 19: 9), and they gave a religious name to this place (Gen. 28:19; 35:7), or even to the stone (1 Sam. 7:12).
In the same way, they sometimes gave an altar one of the names of God (Gen. 33:20; Ex. 17:15; cf. Gen. 35:7). However, the same passages show that they did not attribute any power to either the stone or the altar. They constituted a simple religious memory; their worship of God was totally independent of it (Gen. 31:54; 35:1, 7; 1 Sam. 7:9).
(C) Stones for various uses: sling and catapult projectiles (Judges 20:16; 1 Sam. 17:40; 2 Chron. 26:15; Wis. 5:22; 1 Mac. 6:51); stones that were thrown in case of stoning. Sparks were obtained by striking flint stones to light a fire (2 Mac. 10:3).
Properly shaped stones served as knives (Josh. 5:2). The weights were frequently made of carved stones (Deut. 25:13). (See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.) Inscribed stone tablets were used as documents (Ex. 24:12). Water was kept in stone vessels (Ex. 7:19; Jn. 2:6). The animals destined for burnt offerings were slaughtered on stone tables (Ez. 40:42).
To grind grain and reduce it to flour, a round stone weighing around 15 kg was rotated. of weight; Grain was also ground between two superimposed stones that served as grindstones (Deut. 24:6). The stone, a symbol of hardness and insensitivity (1 Sam. 25:37; Ez. 36:26), also represents moral strength (Jb. 6:12; 42:15).
The disciples of Christ are compared to living stones that form a spiritual temple, of which Christ is the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20-22; 1 Pet. 2:4-8).