Definition and Significance:
In biblical literature, stones hold significant symbolic and practical importance. They are frequently mentioned throughout the Scriptures, serving as tools, memorials, and symbols of strength and permanence. Stones are often used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths and divine principles.

Biblical References:

1. Creation and Use:
Stones are among the earliest materials mentioned in the Bible, used for construction, altars, and memorials. In Genesis 28:18, Jacob sets up a stone as a pillar and anoints it with oil, marking the place where he encountered God in a dream: "Early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had placed under his head, and he set it up as a pillar. He poured oil on top of it."

2. Memorials and Covenants:
Stones often serve as memorials to commemorate significant events or covenants. In Joshua 4:20-22, twelve stones taken from the Jordan River are set up at Gilgal as a memorial to the Israelites' crossing: "And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, 'In the future, when your descendants ask their fathers, "What do these stones mean?" tell them, "Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground."'"

3. Symbol of Strength and Foundation:
Stones symbolize strength and stability, often used to describe God or His attributes. In Psalm 18:2, the psalmist declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

4. Judgment and Punishment:
Stones are also associated with judgment and punishment. In the Mosaic Law, stoning was a prescribed method of execution for certain offenses (Leviticus 20:2). This reflects the severity of sin and the holiness of God's law.

5. Christ as the Cornerstone:
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is referred to as the cornerstone, the foundation of the Church. In Ephesians 2:20, Paul writes, "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." This metaphor emphasizes Christ's essential role in the faith and unity of believers.

6. Living Stones:
Believers are described as "living stones" in 1 Peter 2:5, being built into a spiritual house: "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." This imagery highlights the communal and spiritual nature of the Church.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, stones were commonly used in construction and religious practices. The durability and availability of stones made them ideal for building altars, monuments, and city walls. The biblical use of stones reflects these cultural practices while imbuing them with theological significance.

Theological Implications:
Stones in the Bible often represent God's unchanging nature, His faithfulness, and His covenant with His people. They serve as reminders of God's past acts and promises, encouraging believers to trust in His enduring strength and provision. The metaphor of Christ as the cornerstone underscores the centrality of Jesus in God's redemptive plan and the unity of the Church.3037. lithos -- a stone
... a stone. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: lithos Phonetic Spelling:
(lee'-thos) Short Definition: a stone Definition: a stone; met: of Jesus as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3037.htm - 6k

Place of S. Cyril's Lectures.
... montem G.): but the actual rock on which our Lord was crucified was not within the
limits of the Church, yet not far off, namely about "a stone's throw," as ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/chapter viii place of s cyrils.htm

Gethsemane
... not into temptation. 41. And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's
cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42. Saying, Father, If ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/gethsemane.htm

Remarkable Accident to Wesley
... But we were quickly informed: they mistook the place, imagining I should alight
(as I used to do) at William Stone's house, and had summoned, by drum, all ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/remarkable accident to wesley.htm

Our Lord in the Garden
... And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's-cast, and kneeled down, and prayed."
Now, if you knew to a certainty that your last agony was to come upon you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xi our lord in the.htm

The Secret Walk with God (ii).
... "He was alone, praying" [John 6:57.]; "He continued all night in prayer to God";
and at last, "He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter ii the secret walk.htm

Praying Men at a Premium
... His three chosen disciples were within a stone's cast of the scene of His agony;
but they were all asleep that the Scripture might be fulfilled"I have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/vi praying men at a.htm

The Gethsemane Prayer
... enter not into temptation. "And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's
cast, and kneeled down and prayed. "Saying, Father, if ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/xii the gethsemane prayer.htm

Voyage to China
... unavailing; and Sunday night, 25th September, found us drifting into Carnarvon Bay,
each tack becoming shorter, until at last we were within a stone's-throw of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter viii voyage to china.htm

Skirting the Abyss
... I asked him about the child. It was true. She was in the temple, "married to
the stone." Yes, it was true they had taken her there that day. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxv skirting the abyss.htm

C. The Agony in Gethsemane. Ch. 22:39-46
... him.40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into
temptation.41 And he was parted from them about a stone's cast; and he ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the agony in gethsemane.htm

Stone's (1 Occurrence)
...Stone's (1 Occurrence). Luke 22:41 He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw,
and he knelt down and prayed, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/stone's.htm - 6k

Throw (135 Occurrences)
... a cast. 17. (n.) A stroke; a blow. 18. (n.) The distance which a missile
is, or may be, thrown; as, a stone's throw. 19. (n.) A ...
/t/throw.htm - 38k

Knelt (20 Occurrences)
... RSV). Luke 22:41 He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and he
knelt down and prayed, (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV). Acts 7 ...
/k/knelt.htm - 12k

Kneeled (12 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Luke 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's
cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, (KJV ASV WBS). Acts ...
/k/kneeled.htm - 10k

Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)
... Some 100 yards farther North is the "Grotto of the Agony," a cave or cistern supposed
to be the spot "about a stone's cast" to which our Lord retired (Luke 22 ...
/g/gethsemane.htm - 11k

Withdrew (55 Occurrences)
... Luke 22:41 But He Himself withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt
down and prayed repeatedly, saying, (WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/withdrew.htm - 22k

Withdrawn (28 Occurrences)
... him.' (YLT). Luke 22:41 He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw,
and he knelt down and prayed, (WEB KJV DBY WBS YLT). John 5 ...
/w/withdrawn.htm - 15k

Fallen (233 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS RSV). Luke 20:18 every one who hath fallen on that stone shall be broken,
and on whom it may fall, it will crush him to pieces.' (YLT). ...
/f/fallen.htm - 38k

Repeatedly (28 Occurrences)
... WEY). Luke 22:41 But He Himself withdrew from them about a stone's throw,
and knelt down and prayed repeatedly, saying, (WEY). Luke ...
/r/repeatedly.htm - 14k

Praying (71 Occurrences)
... Luke 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them, as it were a stone's cast, and
having fallen on the knees he was praying, (YLT). Luke ...
/p/praying.htm - 27k

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