In biblical literature, the term "stony" is often used metaphorically to describe conditions of the heart, spiritual receptivity, or the nature of certain environments. The imagery of stones and stony ground is prevalent throughout Scripture, symbolizing hardness, resistance, and the challenges of spiritual growth.

Parable of the Sower

One of the most notable uses of "stony" is found in the Parable of the Sower, as recounted in the Synoptic Gospels. In Matthew 13:5-6 , Jesus describes seed falling on rocky places: "Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root." This parable illustrates the condition of a heart that initially receives the word of God with joy but lacks the depth and perseverance to withstand trials and tribulations. The stony ground represents a superficial faith that cannot endure hardship.

Spiritual Hardness

The concept of a "stony heart" is also used to describe spiritual hardness or resistance to God's word. In Ezekiel 36:26 , God promises a transformation for His people: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This passage highlights the transformative power of God's grace, turning a heart that is resistant and unyielding into one that is receptive and responsive to His will.

Symbolism of Stones

Stones in the Bible often symbolize strength and permanence, but when used in the context of "stony" ground or hearts, they convey a sense of obstruction and inflexibility. The Israelites' journey through the wilderness, for example, was marked by encounters with literal and metaphorical stones, representing both physical challenges and spiritual tests.

Stony Places in Scripture

The Bible frequently references stony places as settings for significant events. In Genesis 28:11 , Jacob uses a stone as a pillow during his vision of the ladder reaching to heaven, marking a place of divine encounter. Similarly, in 1 Samuel 17:40 , David selects five smooth stones from a brook to confront Goliath, symbolizing faith and divine empowerment in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Application for Believers

For believers, the imagery of "stony" ground serves as a cautionary reminder to cultivate a heart that is fertile and receptive to God's word. It encourages self-examination to identify areas of spiritual hardness and to seek the Holy Spirit's work in transforming those areas into fruitful soil. The call is to develop a deep-rooted faith that can withstand the trials of life, ensuring that the seed of the Gospel flourishes and bears fruit.1. (superl.) of or pertaining to stone, consisting of, or abounding in, stone or stones; resembling stone; hard; as, a stony tower; a stony cave; stony ground; a stony crust.

2. (superl.) Converting into stone; petrifying; petrific.

3. (superl.) Inflexible; cruel; unrelenting; pitiless; obdurate; perverse; cold; morally hard; appearing as if petrified; as, a stony heart; a stony gaze.

4075. petrodes -- rock-like
... rock-like. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: petrodes Phonetic Spelling:
(pet-ro'-dace) Short Definition: rocky, stony Definition: rocky, stony. ... stony. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4075.htm - 6k

858. aphelotes -- simplicity
... 858 (derived from 1 "not" and , "stony ground") -- properly, without rocks (the
opposite of , "rocky land"), ie (a level plain); (figuratively) what is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/858.htm - 7k

4073. petra -- a (large mass of) rock
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: petra Phonetic Spelling: (pet'-ra)
Short Definition: rock Definition: a rock, ledge, cliff, cave, stony ground. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4073.htm - 7k

3035. lithinos -- of stone
... Word Origin from lithos Definition of stone NASB Word Usage stone (3). of stone.
From lithos; stony, ie Made of stone -- of stone. see GREEK lithos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3035.htm - 6k

71. Abanah -- a river near Damascus
... Abana. Perhaps feminine of 'eben; stony; Abanah, a river near Damascus -- Abana.
Compare 'Amanah. see HEBREW 'eben. see HEBREW 'Amanah. 70, 71. Abanah. 72 ...
/hebrew/71.htm - 6k

5553. sela -- a crag, cliff
... Rock (1), rock (39), rocks (4), rocky (1), Sela (1). ragged rock, stony,
strong hold. From an unused root meaning to be lofty; a ...
/hebrew/5553.htm - 6k

709. Argob -- Argob
... Argob From the same as regeb; stony; Argob, a district of Palestine -- Argob.
see HEBREW regeb. 708, 709. Argob. 709a . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/709.htm - 5k

2788. charer -- a parched place
... Word Origin from charar Definition a parched place NASB Word Usage stony wastes
(1). parched place. From charar; arid -- parched place. see HEBREW charar. ...
/hebrew/2788.htm - 6k

The Grace by which the Stony Heart is Removed is not Preceded by ...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 30."The Grace by Which the Stony Heart
is Removed is Not Preceded by Good Deserts, But by Evil Ones. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 30 the grace by which.htm

The Stony Heart Removed
... The Stony Heart Removed. A Sermon (No.456). ... "I will take away the stony heart out
of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.""Ezekiel 36:26. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the stony heart removed.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiii. 19, Etc. , Where the Lord ...
... Yesterday we read of that sower, who when he scattered seed, "some fell by the way
side," [2507] which the birds picked up; "some in stony places," which dried ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxiii on the words.htm

"A Terrible Sight"
... The shrieks intermixed were scarcely to be endured. But her stony eyes could not
weep. ... I am a warning to you. Break, break, poor stony hearts! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/a terrible sight.htm

Now the Species is not Always Overstepped, for Things are Often ...
... A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I
will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 48 now the species.htm

The New Heart
... at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. "A new heart also will I give you, and
a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the new heart.htm

The Fourth Rule of Tichonius.
... A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I
will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 34 the fourth rule of.htm

The Poets
... One phrase which occurs often in the hymns of the Wesleys is particularly unfortunate;
we mean that awkward ellipsis the stony': ... The stony from their hearts. ...
/.../the hymns of methodism in their literary relations/chapter iii the poets.htm

The Holy Spirit of Promise
... "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will
take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter iv the holy spirit.htm

The Wisdom of the Ages
... And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang
up, because it had no depth of earth: but when the sun was up, it was ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter iv the wisdom of.htm

Stony (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) of or pertaining to stone, consisting of, or abounding in, stone or
stones; resembling stone; hard; as, a stony tower; a stony cave; stony ground ...
/s/stony.htm - 9k

Argob (6 Occurrences)
...Stony heap, an "island," as it has been called, of rock about 30 miles by 20, rising
20 or 30 feet above the table-land of Bashan; a region of crags and chasms ...
/a/argob.htm - 15k

Stoning (16 Occurrences)

/s/stoning.htm - 12k

Territory (140 Occurrences)
... no "scientific frontier." On the South lay the Negeb, and beyond that the almost
waterless wilderness, a barrier consisting of a series of stony hills running ...
/t/territory.htm - 56k

Onycha (1 Occurrence)
... closes the mouth of the shell. The operculum, which may be horny or stony,
is absent in some species. The horny opercula when burned ...
/o/onycha.htm - 8k

Overthrown (44 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV). Psalms 141:6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places,
they shall hear my words; for they are sweet. (KJV WBS). ...
/o/overthrown.htm - 20k

Likewise (149 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when
they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; (KJV WBS). ...
/l/likewise.htm - 35k

Gladness (83 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when
they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; (KJV WBS). ...
/g/gladness.htm - 32k

Wool (34 Occurrences)
... The fleeces are gathered in bales and carried to a washing-place, which is usually
one of the stony river beds, with but a small stream flowing through it ...
/w/wool.htm - 21k

Irrigation
... the trenches. In stony soil the breach in the canal leading to a particular
plot is opened and closed with a hoe. Any obstruction ...
/i/irrigation.htm - 9k

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sower? | GotQuestions.org

How should Christians respond to someone who leaves the faith? | GotQuestions.org

What is the purpose of the warning passages in Scripture? | GotQuestions.org

Stony: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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