λίθινος
made of stone
Definition
The adjective λίθινος means 'made of stone' or 'of stone.' It describes physical objects crafted from stone material. In John 2:6, it refers to the 'stone water jars' used for Jewish purification rites. In 2 Corinthians 3:3, Paul uses it metaphorically, contrasting the 'tablets of stone' (the Law) with the 'tablets of human hearts.' In Revelation 9:20, it describes idols that are 'made of stone,' highlighting their lifeless, man-made nature in contrast to the living God.
Biblical Usage
This word is used three times in the New Testament, each in a distinct context. In John 2:6, it describes a practical, ceremonial object (water jars). In 2 Corinthians 3:3, it is used in a theological metaphor for the Mosaic Law. In Revelation 9:20, it characterizes pagan idols. It appears in narrative (John), epistolary (2 Corinthians), and apocalyptic (Revelation) literature, showing its descriptive utility across genres.
Etymology
Derived directly from the Greek noun λίθος (lithos, G3037), meaning 'a stone.' The suffix -ινος (-inos) indicates the material something is made from, forming a standard adjective. Thus, λίθινος literally means 'consisting of stone' or 'pertaining to stone.'
Semantic Range
Theologically, λίθινος is significant in its metaphorical use in 2 Corinthians 3:3, where 'tablets of stone' symbolize the old covenant Law, which is external and inscribed on stone. This contrasts with the new covenant, where God's law is written internally on human hearts by the Spirit. In Revelation 9:20, its use for idols underscores the futility of worshiping dead, man-made objects versus the living God, a key prophetic critique.
In the ancient world, stone was a common, durable material for vessels, monuments, and idols. The 'stone water jars' in John 2:6 were large (holding 20-30 gallons each) and represented a significant investment, used for the Jewish rituals of purification (katharismos). Stone idols were widespread in Greco-Roman religion. Understanding this context highlights the contrast in 2 Corinthians 3:3 between the permanence of stone and the intended permanence of God's work in the human heart.
λίθος (lithos, G3037) — the noun 'stone' or 'rock,' the base material itself, not the adjective describing something made from it. πέτρινος (petrinos, G4075) — also meaning 'made of stone' or 'rock-like'; used in John 1:42 for Peter's name (Cephas) and in 2 Corinthians 3:3 in some manuscripts as a variant.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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