Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, houses built of stone were considered durable and a sign of stability and permanence. Stone construction was common in the ancient Near East due to the availability of materials and the need for structures that could withstand the elements and potential attacks. The use of stone in building is mentioned throughout the Bible, reflecting both practical and symbolic significance.Old Testament References The construction of stone houses is evident in various Old Testament passages. In the book of 1 Kings, Solomon's building projects are described, including the construction of the Temple and his own palace. These structures were built with large, costly stones, showcasing the wealth and grandeur of Solomon's reign. 1 Kings 7:9 states, "All these buildings were constructed with costly stones, cut to size and trimmed with saws on the inner and outer surfaces, from the foundation to the eaves and from the outside to the great courtyard." The use of stone in construction is also seen in the rebuilding efforts after the Babylonian exile. In Ezra 5:8 , the rebuilding of the Temple is described: "The king should know that we went to the house of the great God in the province of Judah. It is being built with large stones, and timbers are being laid in the walls. The work is being carried out with diligence and is prospering in their hands." Symbolic Significance Stone houses in the Bible often symbolize strength and endurance. In the prophetic literature, the imagery of stone is used to convey the idea of a firm foundation. Isaiah 28:16 declares, "So this is what the Lord GOD says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.'" This imagery is carried into the New Testament, where Christ is referred to as the cornerstone. In 1 Peter 2:4-6 , believers are encouraged to come to Christ, "the living stone—rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight." The passage continues, "See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame." Practical Considerations The construction of stone houses required significant labor and skill. Stones had to be quarried, transported, and precisely cut to fit together without the use of mortar in many cases. This method of construction is evident in the remains of ancient cities and fortifications throughout the biblical lands. The durability of stone made it a preferred material for significant buildings, including temples, palaces, and city walls. However, ordinary homes were often constructed with a combination of stone foundations and mud-brick walls, reflecting the economic status and resources of the inhabitants. Cultural Context In the cultural context of the Bible, a house built of stone was not only a physical structure but also a representation of the household and family lineage. The Hebrew word for house, "bayit," can refer to both the physical dwelling and the family or dynasty associated with it. This dual meaning is evident in God's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:11-13 , where God declares, "The LORD Himself will establish a house for you: When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." In summary, houses built of stone in the Bible are emblematic of strength, permanence, and divine promise, serving as both literal dwellings and powerful symbols of God's enduring covenant with His people. Nave's Topical Index Leviticus 14:40-45Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city: Nave's Topical Index Isaiah 9:10 Amos 5:11 Library November 15 Evening How Solomon Built Himself a Royal Palace, Very Costly and Splendid ... The Building of the Golden House. That Haggai's Prophecy, in which He Said that the Glory of the ... Living Stones on the Living Foundation Stone Psalm XCVI. The Account of the Building of Solomon's Temple Contains Serious ... The Death of the Blessed virgin Mary at Ephesus The Story of Solomon and his Temple Goes to Housekeeping. Discussions with Mr. Maddox. Attends Meeting ... Resources What does it mean that the house of prayer had been turned into a den of thieves? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the wise man built his house upon a rock? | GotQuestions.org What is the International House of Prayer (IHOP)? | GotQuestions.org House: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics House of God: A Place of Prayer House: Architecture of Altars On House: Architecture of Battlements Required in Mosaic Law House: Architecture of Booths On House: Architecture of Ceiled and Plastered House: Architecture of Chambers House: Architecture of Chimneys of House: Architecture of Cornerstone House: Architecture of Dedicated House: Architecture of Figurative House: Architecture of Foundations of Stone House: Architecture of Guest Chamber House: Architecture of Inner Chamber House: Architecture of Lattice House: Architecture of Laws Regarding Sale of House: Architecture of Painted House: Architecture of Pillars House: Architecture of Porches House: Architecture of Prayer On House: Architecture of Roofs, Flat House: Architecture of Summer Apartment House: Architecture of Texts of Scripture on Doorposts of House: Architecture of Used As Dwelling Place House: Architecture of Used As Place to Sleep House: Architecture of Windows House: Architecture of With Courts Related Terms Treasure-house (6 Occurrences) Banqueting-house (1 Occurrence) Shearing-house (2 Occurrences) Side-chambers (10 Occurrences) |
    |