λίθος

a stone

Definition

The Greek word λίθος primarily means 'a stone' in a physical sense, referring to ordinary stones (Matthew 3:9), building stones (Matthew 24:2), or even stones used as weapons (John 8:7). It also carries significant metaphorical meanings, most notably in reference to Jesus Christ as the 'cornerstone' or 'capstone' rejected by the builders (Matthew 21:42, quoting Psalm 118:22), and as the 'living stone' upon which the church is built (1 Peter 2:4-8). In a few instances, it refers to precious stones or jewels, as in the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19).

Biblical Usage

λίθος appears 55 times across the New Testament, with significant clusters in the Gospels (especially Matthew) and 1 Peter. It is used literally for objects like millstones (Matthew 18:6), tomb stones (Matthew 27:60), and the stones Satan suggested Jesus turn into bread (Matthew 4:3). Its most theologically charged usage is in Christological and ecclesiological contexts, where Jesus and believers are described metaphorically as stones in God's spiritual building. Peter's epistles and Revelation employ the word in these symbolic ways.

Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek noun λίθος, meaning 'stone.' It is a primary word with a stable meaning, related to the verb λιθάζω (lithazō, G3036) meaning 'to stone.' The word passed into scientific and medical vocabulary in words like 'lithography' and 'lithiasis,' retaining its core sense of 'stone.'

Semantic Range

λίθος is theologically rich, central to understanding Jesus as the foundational and chosen cornerstone of God's salvation (Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20). This metaphor, drawn from Psalm 118 and Isaiah 28:16, defines the identity of Christ and the nature of the church as a spiritual temple built upon him. It also illustrates the paradox of the gospel: the rejected stone becomes the most important one. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by connecting Old Testament prophecy with its New Testament fulfillment in Christ.

In the ancient world, stones were fundamental for construction, tools, weapons, and religious markers. The concept of a 'cornerstone' was culturally understood as the crucial first stone set at a building's corner, determining the alignment and stability of the entire structure. Stoning was a common form of capital punishment. This context makes the metaphorical application to Christ—as the essential, alignment-setting foundation, and as one rejected unto death—powerfully resonant to the original audience.

πέτρα (petra, G4073) — a large rock, bedrock, or cliff; often used for a mass of stone, as in 'on this rock I will build my church' (Matthew 16:18). ψῆφος (psēphos, G5586) — a small stone or pebble, often used for voting or counting (Revelation 2:17).

Word Details

Scripture References