"a stone, Mt. 3:9; 4:3, 6; used figuratively, of Christ, Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:6; of believers, 1 Pet. 2:5; meton. a tablet of stone, 2 Cor. 3:7; a precious stone, Rev. 4:3"
Definition and meaning
a stone, Mt. 3:9; 4:3, 6; used figuratively, of Christ, Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:6; of believers, 1 Pet. 2:5; meton. a tablet of stone, 2 Cor. 3:7; a precious stone, Rev. 4:3
In the original Greek the word is written: λίθος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of lithos (G3037) across the King James Bible.
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
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Common questions
Strong's G3037 (lithos) is a Greek word that means: a stone, Mt. 3:9; 4:3, 6; used figuratively, of Christ, Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:6; of believers, 1 Pet. 2:5; meton. a tablet of stone, 2 Cor. 3:7; a precious stone, Rev. 4:3 It appears 55 times in the King James Bible.
The word lithos (G3037) appears 55 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3037 is lithos, a Greek word defined as: a stone, Mt. 3:9; 4:3, 6; used figuratively, of Christ, Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:6; of believers, 1 Pet. 2:5; meton. a tablet of stone, 2 Cor. 3:7; a preci. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
lithos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.