Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ROCK

The rocky terrain of Canaan provided the background for a rich imagery found in the Bible. From its obvious use for literal hardness (Jer. 5:3; 23:29; cf. Isa. 50:7), “rock” (Heb. selaʿ, ṣûr; Gk. pétra) also included the idea of stable and secure support, such as the stability that God gives to life (Ps. 40:2[MT 3]; Matt. 7:24-27; Luke 6:48). Similarly, it is used of an immovable foundation; to remove “the rock” is equivalent to shaking the world (cf. Job 18:4).

Its literal use of providing shade from an overhanging “rock/cliff” in the desert sun (Isa. 32:2) was extended to the figurative use of God providing refuge for his people. God is described as a rock (2 Sam. 22:2 = Ps. 18:2[3]; 71:3) that gives security and safety to his people (cf. 2 Sam. 22:32, 47 par.; cf. Ps. 62:2, 7[3, 8]; 89:26[27]). Since rock is hard, the power of God is revealed when he breaks it (Jer. 23:29; cf. 1 Kgs. 19:11).

The Israelites are urged to recall the solidity of their heritage with rock imagery: “the Rock that bore you” (Deut. 32:18) and “the rock from which you were hewn” (Isa. 51:1). The Church is said to be founded upon a rock and therefore able to withstand enemy assaults (Matt. 16:18).

In Isa. 8:14 ṣûr is used of the messianic stone rejected by the Jewish “temple builders” (cf. Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16). Following these passages, “rock” becomes important for NT typology: Jesus Christ, the rejected “rock of offence,” becomes the cornerstone of God’s true temple, the Christian Church (1 Pet. 2:6-8). As a rock, Christ is portrayed as smitten in order that the spirit of life may flow from him to all who will drink (John 4:13-14; 7:37-39; 1 Cor. 10:4).

Larry L. Walker

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ROCK

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)