The term "head-stone" is often used in biblical literature to refer to a cornerstone or a capstone, which is a critical element in the construction of a building. In the context of Scripture, the head-stone carries significant theological and symbolic meaning, particularly in relation to Jesus Christ and His role in the foundation of the Church.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 118:22 · "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This verse is a prophetic reference to the Messiah, who, though rejected by the religious leaders of His time, becomes the essential foundation of God's redemptive plan. The cornerstone, or head-stone, signifies the most important stone in the structure, upon which the integrity and alignment of the entire building depend.

2. Zechariah 4:7 · "What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” In this passage, the head-stone, or capstone, is associated with the completion of the temple, symbolizing the fulfillment of God's promises and the triumph of His purposes. The shouts of "Grace, grace to it" emphasize the divine favor and empowerment that accompany the establishment of God's work.

3. Matthew 21:42 · Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?" Here, Jesus directly applies the imagery of the cornerstone to Himself, indicating that He is the fulfillment of the prophetic Scriptures. Despite being rejected by the leaders of Israel, He is the foundation of the new covenant and the Church.

4. Ephesians 2:20 · "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." The Apostle Paul describes the Church as a spiritual building, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. This metaphor highlights the unity and stability of the Church, grounded in the teachings of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the essential and unifying element.

Theological Significance:

The head-stone, as a metaphor for Christ, underscores His preeminence and indispensability in the spiritual edifice of the Church. It reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the establishment of the new covenant through His life, death, and resurrection. The rejection of the head-stone by the builders symbolizes the initial rejection of Christ by the Jewish leaders, yet His ultimate exaltation as the cornerstone signifies His victory and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

In the broader biblical narrative, the head-stone represents God's sovereign plan and the centrality of Christ in salvation history. It serves as a reminder of the grace and mercy extended to humanity through Jesus, who, though rejected, becomes the foundation of faith and the source of spiritual life for all believers.7222. roshah -- top
... Word Origin fem. of rosh Definition top NASB Word Usage top (1). headstone. Feminine
of ro'sh; the head -- head(-stone). see HEBREW ro'sh. 7221, 7222. ...
/hebrew/7222.htm - 6k

Psalm CXVIII.
... 16. But who is this whom we speak of? "The Stone which the builders rejected"
(ver.22); for "It hath become the head Stone of the corner" to "make in Himself ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxviii.htm

"Not by Might, nor by Power"
... before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone
thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it." Zechariah 4:7. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 48 not by might.htm

The Founder and Finisher of the Temple
... old man by this time, who had been honoured to take the first spadeful of soil out
of the earth should be the man 'to bring forth the headstone with shoutings ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the founder and finisher of.htm

The Source of Power
... before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone
thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.8. Moreover, the word ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the source of power.htm

The Lively Stones. Rev. W. Morley Punshon.
... a manifest reference in the fourth verse to the personage alluded to in Psalm
118:22, 23: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the lively stones rev w.htm

The New Covenant.
... He has brought forth the headstone of the corner, the keystone of the
arch.[142] It is, in short, that we have such a High-priest. ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

Thankful Service.
... place." He went, and was killed in action, and the farmer had travelled many a weary
mile to kneel beside his grave, and to carve on the headstone the words ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lix thankful service.htm

Christ's Finished and Unfinished Work
... actually realised. The one proclaims that the foundation is laid, the other
that the headstone is set on the finished building. The ...
/.../christs finished and unfinished work.htm

The Warning
... me about, yet I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord; and because
the stone which the builders rejected is become the head stone of the ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 26-31 the warning.htm

Psalm XLVIII.
... "For He is our peace, who hath made both one." [1563] The same Corner Stone "which
the builders rejected, is become the Head Stone of the corner." [1564] The ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlviii.htm

Headstone (2 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HEADSTONE. hed'-ston. ... Multi-Version Concordance Headstone
(2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 23:17 What is that headstone I see over there? ...
/h/headstone.htm - 7k

Head-stone (1 Occurrence)
Head-stone. Headstone, Head-stone. Headstrong . Multi-Version Concordance ... (DBY
WBS). Headstone, Head-stone. Headstrong . Reference Bible.
/h/head-stone.htm - 6k

Shoutings (4 Occurrences)
... before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone
thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/s/shoutings.htm - 7k

Head (4291 Occurrences)
... God is with us at our head" (2 Chronicles 13:12); "Knowest thou that Yahweh will
take away thy master from thy head?" (2 Kings 2:3); "head-stone" the Revised ...
/h/head.htm - 24k

Headstrong (2 Occurrences)

/h/headstrong.htm - 7k

Level (31 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 4:7 Who are you, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel you will become level:
and he will let all see the headstone, with cries of Grace, grace, to it. ...
/l/level.htm - 19k

Refused (89 Occurrences)
... KJV ASV WBS). Psalms 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become
the headstone of the corner. (KJV WBS YLT). Proverbs 1 ...
/r/refused.htm - 33k

Heads (439 Occurrences)

/h/heads.htm - 38k

Resting-place (211 Occurrences)
... had given word of these things, said: (BBE). 2 Kings 23:17 What is that
headstone I see over there? And the men of the town said to ...
/r/resting-place.htm - 39k

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