The term "stumblingstone" is a metaphorical expression found in the Bible, symbolizing an obstacle or hindrance that causes people to falter in their faith or understanding. This concept is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, where it is used to describe the challenges and barriers that prevent individuals from accepting divine truth.

Old Testament Background

The imagery of a stumblingstone originates in the Old Testament, particularly in the prophetic writings. In Isaiah 8:14, the prophet speaks of the Lord as a sanctuary, but also as "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" to both houses of Israel. This dual imagery highlights the idea that while God is a refuge for those who trust in Him, He is also a source of judgment and a challenge for those who reject His ways.

Isaiah 28:16 further develops this theme, where the Lord declares, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken." Here, the cornerstone is a symbol of stability and salvation for believers, yet it implies that those who do not believe will stumble over it.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament writers, particularly the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter, interpret the concept of the stumblingstone in light of Jesus Christ. In Romans 9:32-33, Paul explains that Israel stumbled over the "stumblingstone" because they pursued righteousness by works rather than by faith. He quotes Isaiah, saying, "See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame" . This passage underscores the idea that Christ, as the fulfillment of the prophetic cornerstone, becomes a stumbling block to those who seek righteousness through their own efforts rather than through faith in Him.

Similarly, in 1 Peter 2:6-8, Peter echoes this interpretation, identifying Jesus as the cornerstone chosen by God and precious to Him. He writes, "To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and, 'A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense'" . Peter emphasizes that unbelief leads to stumbling, as those who reject Christ fail to recognize Him as the foundation of their faith.

Theological Implications

The concept of the stumblingstone carries significant theological implications. It highlights the necessity of faith in Christ as the means of salvation and the futility of relying on human efforts or adherence to the law for righteousness. The stumblingstone serves as a warning against pride and self-reliance, urging individuals to embrace humility and trust in God's provision through Jesus.

Moreover, the stumblingstone illustrates the paradox of the Gospel: that which is a source of salvation for believers is simultaneously a cause of offense and rejection for unbelievers. This duality reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and the human responsibility to respond to His revelation.

In summary, the stumblingstone is a powerful biblical metaphor that encapsulates the challenge of faith and the centrality of Christ in God's redemptive plan. It calls believers to a deeper reliance on God's grace and serves as a reminder of the consequences of unbelief.STUMBLING-BLOCK; STUMBLING-STONE

stum'-bling-blok, (mikhshol, makhshelah; proskomma, skandalon): These are the most important of the varied renderings of either of two cognate Hebrew words, or of two different Greek words. Sometimes the Greek word for "stone" (lithos) accompanies the principal word. There is no important difference in the meaning of the words or of their renderings. the Revised Version (British and American) generally substitutes "stumbling" for "offence" of the King James Version.

The literal meaning of the Hebrew words-an object which causes one to stumble or fall-appears in such passages as Leviticus 19:14: "Thou shalt not.... put a stumblingblock (mikhshol) before the blind" (compare Jeremiah 6:21). But the expression is ordinarily figurative, referring to that which causes material ruin or spiritual downfall, which were closely connected in Old Testament thought (Psalm 119:165 Ezekiel 21:15). The things that lead astray are silver and gold (Ezekiel 7:19); idols (Ezekiel 14:3 Zephaniah 1:3, etc.).

One of the New Testament words, skandalon, literally means the stick of a trap to which the bait is attached, and which when touched springs the trap. Figuratively either word refers to a thing or a person that leads one to fall into error, into sin or into destruction: the cross of Christ (Galatians 5:11 Romans 11:9); another's liberty (1 Corinthians 8:9); Peter in Matthew 16:23; Christ, whose life and character were so different from Jewish expectation (Romans 9:33).

See also OFFENCE.

George Rice Hovey

Letter Lvii. To Pammachius on the Best Method of Translating.
... The Septuagint gives an opposite meaning, "that you fall not on a stumblingstone
nor on a rock of offence." The apostle Peter agrees with Paul and the Hebrew ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lvii to pammachius on.htm

Stumblingstone (2 Occurrences)
... George Rice Hovey. Multi-Version Concordance Stumblingstone (2 Occurrences). Romans
9:32 Wherefore? ... For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (KJV DBY). ...
/s/stumblingstone.htm - 9k

Stumbling-stone (3 Occurrences)
Stumbling-stone. Stumblingstone, Stumbling-stone. Stump . Noah Webster's
Dictionary ... (YLT). Stumblingstone, Stumbling-stone. Stump . Reference Bible.
/s/stumbling-stone.htm - 9k

Principle (32 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Romans 9:32 Wherefore? Because it was not on the principle of faith, but
as of works. They have stumbled at the stumblingstone, (DBY). ...
/p/principle.htm - 16k

Believeth (42 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone
and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ...
/b/believeth.htm - 17k

Sion (9 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone
and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ...
/s/sion.htm - 10k

Stumblings (1 Occurrence)

/s/stumblings.htm - 6k

Ashamed (131 Occurrences)
... Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock
of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ...
/a/ashamed.htm - 42k

Sought (199 Occurrences)
... Romans 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the
works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/s/sought.htm - 37k

Shame (412 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and
rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ...
/s/shame.htm - 43k

Offence (27 Occurrences)
... Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock
of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ...
/o/offence.htm - 25k

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