Dict: smith - STONES

smith:

STONES - S>@ - Besides the ordinary uses to which stones were applied, we may mention that large stones were set up to commemorate any remarkable event. kjv@Genesis:28:18 kjv@Genesis:35:14 kjv@Genesis:31:45 ; kjv@Joshua:4:9; kjv@1Samuel:7:12) Such stones were occasionally consecrated By anointing. kjv@Genesis:28:18) Heaps of stones were piled up on various occasions, as in token of a treaty, kjv@Genesis:31:47) or over the grave of some notorious offender. kjv@Joshua:7:26 kjv@Joshua:8:29; 2 Samuel 18:17) The "white stone" noticed in kjv@Revelation:2:17) has been variously regarded as referring to the pebble of acquittal used in the Greek courts; to the lot cast in elections in Greece to both these combined; to the stones in the high priest’s breastplate; to the tickets presented to the victor at the public games; or, lastly, to the custom of writing on stones. The notice in kjv@Zechariah:12:3) of the "burdensome stone" is referred by Jerome to the custom of lifting stones as an exercise of strength, comp. Ecclus. kjv@6:21; but it may equally well be explained of a large corner-stone as a symbol of strength. kjv@Isaiah:28:16) Stones are used metaphorically to denote hardness or insensibility, ( kjv@1Samuel:25:37; kjv@Ezekiel:11:19 kjv@Ezekiel:36:26) as well as firmness or strength. kjv@Genesis:49:24) The members of the Church are called "living stones," as contributing to rear that living temple in which Christ, himself "a living stone," is the chief or head of the corner. kjv@Ephesians:2:20-22; kjv@1Peter:2:4-8)

STONES, PRECIOUS - S>@ - Precious stones are frequently alluded to in Scriptures; they were known and very highly valued in the earliest times. The Tyrians traded in precious stones supplied by Syria. kjv@Ezekiel:27:16) The merchants of Sheba and Raamah in south Arabia, and doubtless India and Ceylon supplied the markets of Tyre with various precious stones. The art of engraving on precious stones was known from the very earliest times. kjv@Genesis:38:18) The twelve atones of the breastplate were engraved each one with the name of one of the tribes. kjv@Exodus:28:17-21) It is an undecided question whether the diamond was known to the early nations of antiquity. The Authorized Version gives if as the rendering of the Heb. yahalom , but it is probable that the jasper is intended. Precious stones are used in Scripture in a figurative sense, to signify value, beauty durability, etc., in those objects with which they are compared.
See (Solomon kjv@5:14; Isaiah:54:11-12; kjv@Lamentations:4:7; kjv@Revelation:4:3 kjv@Revelation:21:10 kjv@Revelation:21:21)