In biblical literature, the term "pebble" is not frequently mentioned, but it holds significance in certain contexts, particularly in the narrative of David and Goliath. The Hebrew word often translated as "pebble" or "stone" is "אֶבֶן" (even), which can refer to small stones or larger rocks, depending on the context.

David and Goliath

One of the most notable references to pebbles in the Bible is found in the account of David and Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:40 , it is written: "Then he took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine." Here, the "smooth stones" are understood to be pebbles, chosen by David for their aerodynamic properties, which would make them effective when slung at high speed. This choice of weaponry highlights David's reliance on skill and divine providence rather than conventional military might.

Symbolism and Significance

Pebbles, in this context, symbolize faith and divine intervention. David's selection of five smooth stones represents his trust in God to deliver victory against overwhelming odds. The narrative underscores the theme that God often uses the humble and seemingly insignificant to achieve His purposes, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27 : "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

Judgment and Casting Lots

Pebbles or small stones were also used in the ancient practice of casting lots, a method employed to discern God's will or make decisions. While the Bible does not explicitly mention pebbles in this context, the practice of casting lots is seen in several passages, such as in Joshua 18:10 : "Joshua then cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD, and there he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their divisions." The use of stones or pebbles in casting lots reflects the belief in divine sovereignty over human affairs.

Metaphorical Use

In a metaphorical sense, pebbles can represent the small, seemingly insignificant elements that God uses to accomplish His greater plans. This is evident in the broader biblical narrative, where God often chooses the least likely individuals or means to fulfill His purposes, emphasizing His power and wisdom.

Conclusion

While the term "pebble" itself is not extensively used in the Bible, its presence in key narratives like that of David and Goliath provides rich symbolic meaning. Pebbles serve as a reminder of God's ability to use the humble and the small to achieve great victories, illustrating themes of faith, divine intervention, and the subversion of human expectations.1. (n.) A small roundish stone or bowlder; especially, a stone worn and rounded by the action of water; a pebblestone.

2. (n.) Transparent and colorless rock crystal; as, Brazilian pebble; -- so called by opticians.

3. (v. t.) To grain (leather) so as to produce a surface covered with small rounded prominences.

5586. psephos -- a small smooth stone, a pebble
... a small smooth stone, a pebble. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
psephos Phonetic Spelling: (psay'-fos) Short Definition: a pebble, a vote ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5586.htm - 7k

4074. Petros -- "a stone" or "a boulder," Peter, one of the twelve ...
... Greek name meaning rock. 4074 (a noun) -- properly, a stone (pebble), such
as a small rock found along a pathway. 4074 ("small stone ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4074.htm - 7k

6862d. tsar -- a hard pebble, flint
... a hard pebble, flint. Transliteration: tsar Short Definition: flint. Word Origin
from an unused word Definition a hard pebble, flint NASB Word Usage flint (1). ...
/hebrew/6862d.htm - 5k

6864. tsor -- a hard pebble, flint
... 6863, 6864. tsor. 6865 . a hard pebble, flint. Transliteration: tsor Phonetic
Spelling: (tsore) Short Definition: flint. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6864.htm - 6k

6872b. tseror -- a pebble
... a pebble. Transliteration: tseror Short Definition: kernel. Word Origin from the
same as tsar Definition a pebble NASB Word Usage kernel (1), small stone (1). ...
/hebrew/6872b.htm - 5k

1486. goral -- a lot (for casting)
... Or (shortened) goral {go-ral'}; from an unused root meaning to be rough (as stone);
properly, a pebble, ie A lot (small stones being used for that purpose ...
/hebrew/1486.htm - 6k

6862. tsar -- narrow, tight
... Or tsar {tsawr}; from tsarar; narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively,
ie Trouble); also a pebble (as in tsor); (transitive) an opponent (as ...
/hebrew/6862.htm - 6k

The Power of a Pebble.
... THE OLD TESTAMENT CHAPTER XX. THE POWER OF A PEBBLE. Saul the sullen was
still king over Israel, although he had departed from the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xx the power of.htm

Of the Sparkling Stone, and of the New Name Written in the Book of ...
... that receiveth it. This stone is called a pebble, [79] for it is so small
that it does not hurt when one treads on it. This stone ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter iv of the sparkling.htm

Commendation of those who had Laid Aside the Practice of Swearing. ...
... Often indeed when a small pebble fails upon it, it yields, and makes way, and
sends it down to the bottom. When therefore thou beholdest ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ix commendation of those.htm

The Creation of Moving Creatures.
... he sees it, sheltered from the wind, warming itself with pleasure, and half opening
its shells to the sun, [1617] he secretly throws in a pebble, prevents them ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily vii the creation of.htm

The Church of Christ
... "No man liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself." You have heard a score
of times, that if you do but drop a pebble in a brook, it causes a small ring ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm

Though He were Dead
... When He is talking of bright and sparkling gems of benediction, we are thinking
of common pebble-stones in the brook of mercy; when He speaketh of stars and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/though he were dead.htm

Of Circumcision and the Supercession of the Old Law.
... of Moses would upon one occasion have been choked by an angel, if Zipporah, [1165]
had not circumcised the foreskin of the infant with a pebble; whence, "there ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter iii of circumcision and the.htm

The Source of Power in Prayer.
... to the world; but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore
and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a ...
/.../murray/the masters indwelling/xii the source of power.htm

The System of the Moral Universe not Purposely Involved in ...
... "I have been but as a child," said he, "playing on the sea-shore; now finding some
pebble rather more polished, and now some shell rather more agreeably ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/section iii the system of.htm

A Battle with Smallpox
... "Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt find it after many days." "Drop
a pebble in the water, just a splash and it is gone; but there are half a ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xx a battle with.htm

Pebble (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Transparent and colorless rock crystal; as, Brazilian pebble; -- so called
by opticians. ... Multi-Version Concordance Pebble (2 Occurrences). ...
/p/pebble.htm - 7k

Lot (145 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews goral, a "pebble"), a small stone used in casting
lots (Numbers 33:54; Jonah 1:7). The lot was always resorted to by the ...
/l/lot.htm - 60k

Crystal (7 Occurrences)
... also rock crystal. Ornamental vessels are made of it. Cf. Smoky quartz,
Pebble; also Brazilian pebble, under Brazilian. 3. (n.) A ...
/c/crystal.htm - 11k

Writing (194 Occurrences)
... The next or mnemonic step was taken when the simplest characteristic part was exchanged
for a pebble, a twig, a notched stick, a knot, or any other object or ...
/w/writing.htm - 70k

Jasper (8 Occurrences)
... When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called striped / banded jasper.
The Egyptian pebble is a brownish yellow jasper. Int. ...
/j/jasper.htm - 10k

Flint (12 Occurrences)
... 28:9 Psalm 114:8), tsor (Exodus 4:25 Ezekiel 3:9), tser (Isaiah 5:28), tsur (Job
22:24 Psalm 89:43), tsurim (Joshua 5:2 f); (= kechlex "pebble"), kochlax (APC ...
/f/flint.htm - 14k

Peasantry (3 Occurrences)

/p/peasantry.htm - 7k

Pebbles (1 Occurrence)

/p/pebbles.htm - 6k

Boulder (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Same as Bowlder. 2. (n.) A large stone, worn
smooth or rounded by the action of water; a large pebble. ...
/b/boulder.htm - 7k

Count (85 Occurrences)
... the arithmetical computation is less prominent, except in the sense of "calculate,"
psephizo, sumpsephizo, "to reckon with pebbles," each pebble representing a ...
/c/count.htm - 33k

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