Stone
אֶבֶן (eben)
A solid, enduring substance — representing permanence, witness, foundation, and Christ.
Eben is the Hebrew word for stone, rich with theological meaning. Stones serve as memorials, foundations, weapons, and symbols — ultimately pointing to Christ as the chief cornerstone.
"Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded." — 1 Peter 2:6 (KJV)
Key Verses
1 Peter 2:6
“Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”Read in context
Joshua 4:7
“Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD... and these stones shall be for a memorial.”Read in context
Psalm 118:22
“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H68 — Stone (אֶבֶן (eben))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where אֶבֶן (eben) appears.
Open Strong's H68Etymology and Original Meaning
Eben means 'stone' — a natural, enduring, solid substance. In the ancient world, stones served countless purposes: building materials, boundary markers, weapons, altars, writing surfaces, and memorials. Their permanence made them the natural medium for recording what must not be forgotten. God wrote the Ten Commandments on stone tablets — the most enduring medium available.
Memorial Stones
Israel frequently erected stones as memorials: Jacob at Bethel (Genesis 28:18), Joshua at the Jordan (Joshua 4:1-7), Samuel at Ebenezer (1 Samuel 7:12). These stones answered the question, 'What mean ye by these stones?' (Joshua 4:6). They were physical, permanent, public testimonies to God's faithfulness — anchoring communal memory in tangible markers.
The Rejected Stone
Psalm 118:22 prophesied, 'The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.' Jesus applied this to Himself (Matthew 21:42): rejected by Israel's leaders but chosen by God as the foundation of His kingdom. The rejected stone becomes the cornerstone — the most important stone in the entire building, determining the alignment of everything else.
Living Stones
Peter extends the metaphor: believers are 'lively stones... built up a spiritual house' (1 Peter 2:5). Christ is the cornerstone; believers are stones built upon Him. The church is not a physical building but a living temple — each person a stone fitted into place by God's design. Individual stones gain their significance from their relationship to the cornerstone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does stone symbolize in the Bible?
Stone (eben) symbolizes permanence, witness, foundation, and Christ. Stones serve as memorials of God's faithfulness, the foundation of His temple, and ultimately point to Christ as the chief cornerstone.
Why is Jesus called the cornerstone?
Jesus is the cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6; Psalm 118:22) — the foundational stone that determines the alignment of the entire building. Though rejected by human builders, He is God's chosen foundation for His eternal kingdom.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Stone"?
1 Peter 2:6 — "Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded" (KJV). It also appears in Joshua 4:7, Psalm 118:22.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Stone" matter?
Eben means 'stone' — a natural, enduring, solid substance. English uses one word, "Stone", where the Hebrew אֶבֶן (eben) carries the fuller sense: a solid, enduring substance — representing permanence, witness, foundation, and christ.
Related Words
Related Reading
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Stone (אֶבֶן (eben))
A solid, enduring substance — representing permanence, witness, foundation, and Christ.
Strong's H68 — Stone
אֶבֶן (eben) • A solid, enduring substance — representing permanence, witness, foundation, and Christ.
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