Greek · G3037 · unreviewed

λίθος

A stone (literally or figuratively)

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λίθος G3037

Pronunciation líthos

What does λίθος (líthos) mean in the Bible?

λίθος (líthos) is a Greek word meaning "a stone (literally or figuratively)". λίθος, -ου, ὁ (and, in Att. Connects to Psalm 118 and Christ’s exaltation. This term runs through the canonical themes of Messiah.

Full entry for λίθος (G3037) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

a stone (literally or figuratively)

Extended definition

Stone carries metaphorical weight in NT: Christ as cornerstone, believers as living stones, stumbling block.

(and, in Att.., of precious stones, ἡ.) [in LXX for אֶבֶן, Gen.11:3, al.; λ. τίμιος, for פָּז, Psa.19:10 21:3, Pro.8:19, al. ;] a stone: Mat.4:6, al.; pl., Mat.3:9, al.; at the entrance of a tomb, Mat.27:60, 66 28:2, Mrk.15:46 16:3-4, Luk.24:2, Jhn.11:38, 32 11:41 20:1; λ. μυλικός, Luk.17:2, cf. Rev.18:21; of building stones, Mat.21:42, [44], Mat.24:2, Mrk.12:10 13:1-2, Luk.19:44 20:17-18 21:5-6 Act.4:11, 1Pe.2:7; metaphorically, of Christ, λ. ἀκρογωναῖος, ἐκλεκτός, ἔντιμος, 1Pe.2:6 (LXX); λ. ζῶν, 1Pe.2:4; προσκόμματος, 1Pe.2:8, Rom.9:33; of Christians, λ. ζῶντες, 1Pe.2:5; of precious stones, λ. τίμιος, Rev.17:4 18:12, 16 21:11, 19; ἴασπις, Rev.4:3; ἐνδεδυμένοι λ. καθαρόν, Rev.15:6 (λίνον, Rec., R, mg., see Swete, in l); metaphorically, λ. τίμιοι, 1Co.3:12; of the tables of the law, 2Co.3:7; of idols, Act.17:29

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Connects to Psalm 118 and Christ’s exaltation. Luke 20:9–19

Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Masculine Matt 24:2 · Mark 13:2 · Mark 16:4 · Luke 17:2 · Luke 21:6 · John 11:38 · Acts 4:11 · 1 Pet 2:7 · 1 Pet 2:8 9×

Nominative · Plural · Masculine Matt 4:3 · Mark 13:1 · Luke 19:40 · 1 Pet 2:5 4×

Genitive · Plural · Masculine Matt 3:9 · Luke 3:8 2×

Genitive · Singular · Masculine Luke 22:41 · Rev 18:12 2×

Dative · Singular · Masculine Luke 4:3 · Luke 21:6 · Acts 17:29 · Rom 9:32 · Rev 4:3 · Rev 17:4 · Rev 18:16 · Rev 21:11 · Rev 21:19 10×

Dative · Plural · Masculine Mark 5:5 · Luke 21:5 · 2 Cor 3:7 3×

Accusative · Singular · Masculine Matt 4:6 · Matt 7:9 · Matt 21:42 · Matt 21:44 · Matt 24:2 · Matt 27:60 · Matt 27:66 · Matt 28:2 · Mark 12:10 · Mark 13:2 · Mark 15:46 · Mark 16:3 · Luke 4:11 · Luke 19:44 · Luke 20:17 · Luke 20:18 25×

Accusative · Plural · Masculine John 8:59 · John 10:31 · 1 Cor 3:12 3×

Canonical Themes

Messiah

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses

Luke 20:9–19 λίθον líthos Accusative · Singular · Masculine

stone

Additional Occurrences

Luke 20:9–19 λίθος líthos

Stone

Mark 12:1–12 λίθος líthos

stone; foundational element

Mark 13:1–2 λίθος líthos

stone; building block

Appears In

Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Acts 4 — Christ Alone Saves and His Witnesses Speak Boldly John 11 — The Resurrection and the Life, the Raising of Lazarus, and the Plot to Kill Jesus John 20 — The Risen Lord: Empty Tomb, Eyewitness Faith, Peace, Mission, Spirit, Thomas, and the Purpose of the Gospel John 8 — The Light of the World, True Freedom, and the I AM Before Abraham Luke 20 — The Rejected Son, the Questioned Authority, and the Lord Who Silences His Opponents Luke 21 — The Widow’s Gift, Jerusalem’s Fall, and Watchfulness before the Son of Man Luke 24 — The Risen Christ Opens the Scriptures, Commissions Witnesses, and Ascends in Blessing Mark 12 — The Rejected Son, the Greatest Commandment, the Lord of David, and the Widow’s Offering Mark 13 — Watch and Endure: Temple Judgment, Gospel Witness, Tribulation, the Son of Man, and Readiness Mark 15 — The Crucified King: Condemnation, Mockery, Death, Confession, and Burial Mark 16 — He Has Risen: The Empty Tomb, the Angelic Announcement, Galilee Promise, and Trembling Witness Matthew 21 — The King Enters Jerusalem, Judges Fruitless Religion, and Exposes Rejected-Son Leadership Matthew 24 — The Olivet Discourse: Temple Desolation, Coming Judgment, the Son of Man, and Watchful Readiness Matthew 27 — Jesus Condemned, Crucified, Dead, Buried, and Guarded Matthew 28 — The Resurrection of Jesus and the Great Commission of the Risen King Matthew 3 — The Forerunner, the Kingdom, and the Beloved Son Romans 9 — God’s Faithfulness, Sovereign Mercy, and Israel’s Stumbling Over Christ

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

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