Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of "blocks" can be understood in various contexts, primarily related to construction, idolatry, and metaphorical uses. While the term "blocks" as we understand it today may not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the idea is present through descriptions of building materials, idols, and spiritual stumbling.
Construction and Building MaterialsThe ancient Israelites, like many other civilizations, used stone blocks for construction purposes. The use of stone is evident in the building of altars, temples, and city walls. In
1 Kings 5:17, we read about the construction of Solomon's Temple: "At the king’s command they removed from the quarry large blocks of high-grade stone to provide a foundation of dressed stone for the temple." These stones were carefully cut and shaped, indicating the importance of precision and craftsmanship in sacred architecture.
The use of stone blocks is also seen in the construction of altars. In
Exodus 20:25, God instructs the Israelites, "If you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with cut stones; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it." This command highlights the distinction between natural and hewn stones, emphasizing the sanctity of God's instructions.
Idolatry and Carved ImagesBlocks of wood and stone were often used to create idols, which were strictly forbidden by God. The prophets frequently condemned the practice of carving idols from blocks of wood or stone. In
Isaiah 44:13-17, the prophet describes the futility of idol-making: "The woodworker stretches out a measuring line; he outlines it with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He makes it in the form of a man, like a man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine."
These idols, crafted from blocks of material, were powerless and contrasted sharply with the living God. The use of blocks in idol-making serves as a reminder of the Israelites' frequent struggles with idolatry and the call to worship the one true God.
Metaphorical UsesIn a metaphorical sense, "blocks" can represent obstacles or stumbling blocks in one's spiritual journey. The Apostle Paul warns against causing others to stumble in their faith. In
Romans 14:13, he writes, "Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way."
This metaphorical use of "blocks" underscores the responsibility of believers to live in a way that edifies others and avoids causing spiritual harm. It reflects the broader biblical theme of community and mutual edification within the body of Christ.
ConclusionWhile the term "blocks" may not be directly mentioned in the Bible, its conceptual presence is significant in understanding biblical teachings on construction, idolatry, and spiritual growth. Through these contexts, the Bible provides insights into the physical and spiritual building blocks of faith and life.
Greek
4625. skandalon -- a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare...... generally a snare, a stumbling block, an offense NASB Word Usage cause for stumbling
(1), hindrances (1), offense (2), stumbling block (7), stumbling
blocks (4
...4653. skotia -- darkness
... Cognate: 4653 (a noun) -- , a brand of moral, spiritual (ie whichblocks the light
of God when faith is lacking). See also 4655 ("darkness")....
858. aphelotes -- simplicity
... the opposite of , "rocky land"), ie (a level plain); (figuratively) what is
uncomplicated and unencumbered, ie without hindrances or stumblingblocks (J. Thayer...
Strong's Hebrew
4383. mikshol -- a stumbling, means or occasion of stumbling, a...... a stumbling block NASB Word Usage fall (1), obstacle (2), occasion of stumbling
(1), stumble (2), stumbling block (6), stumbling
blocks (1), troubled (1).
...Library
The Little Ones and their Stumbling-Blocks.
... Book XIII. 17. The Little Ones and Their Stumbling-Blocks. But it is a
hard task to expound what follows in logical harmony with...
Where There is Only one Woman, the Father Does not Make a Stay...
... Clement. Chapter V."Where There is Only One Woman, the Father Does Not Make
a Stay; How Carefully Stumbling-Blocks Must Be Avoided....
Self-Mutilation for Self-Preservation
... Indeed, none can do them any harm but ourselves. For men may put stumbling-blocks
in our way, but it is we who make them stumbling-blocks....
In what Sense "Necessary. "
... of stumbling should arise, since there is a necessity also that wickedness should
exist before virtue in men, from which wickedness stumbling-blocks arise; for...
The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*]
... It is surrounded by a wall about twenty feet in height, and eight or ten feet in
thickness, built of largeblocks of coarse granite. It has four gates....
Psalm CXL.
... They have "laid stumbling-blocks beside the paths;" do not thou withdraw out
of the paths, and thou wilt not rush upon stumbling-blocks....
The New Testament Has Preserved for us the Most Valuable Portion...
... author of the Second Epistle of Peter and Iren??us complain of the difficulties which
they contain, indeed they presented a thousand stumbling-blocks to the...
The Bethlehem Fog.
... Here the light came close to some thickblocks; of stupid thickness; humanblocks
grown more toughly thick by the persistent resisting of any such transparent...
Peter as a Stumbling-Block to Jesus.
... look to things seen and temporal, [5715] but that such still more would be stigmatized
by Jesus as a stumbling-block to Him, and because stumbling-blocks to Him...
Letter xvi. --To Amphilochius.
... pairs of sides of the octagon which are diametrically opposed to one another, unite
by means of arches the central circle to the adjoiningblocks of building...
Thesaurus
Blocks (9 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Blocks (9 Occurrences). Matthew 13:41
... NAS). Matthew
18:7 Wo to the world from the stumbling-
blocks! for there
...Stumbling-blocks (8 Occurrences)
Stumbling-blocks. Stumblingblocks, Stumbling-blocks. Stumblings .
Multi-Version Concordance Stumbling-blocks (8 Occurrences)....
Quarries (4 Occurrences)
... Zerubbabel, and Herod. Hugeblocks of stone are still found in these caves
bearing the Marks of pick and chisel. The general appearance...
Block (22 Occurrences)
... or more plane, or approximately plane, faces; as, a block on which a butcher chops
his meat; a block by which to mount a horse; children's playingblocks, etc....
Blocking (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The act of obstructing, supporting, shaping, or stamping with a block or
blocks. 3. (n.)Blocks used to support (a building, etc.) temporarily....
Necessity (22 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Necessity (22 Occurrences). Matthew 18:7 Wo to the
world from the stumbling-blocks! for there is a necessity...
Stumbling-block (20 Occurrences)
... (ASV YLT). Matthew 18:7 Wo to the world from the stumbling-blocks! for
there is a necessity for the stumbling-blocks to come, but...
Tools (3 Occurrences)
... sand. But sawing stone was a very laborious process, and this was one reason
why the ancients preferred stone in largeblocks. These...
Stumbling (51 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY ASV YLT NAS). John 16:1 "These things I have spoken to you in order to
clear stumbling-blocks out of your path. (WEY NAS). Romans 9:32 Why?...
Images (158 Occurrences)
... These images may be shapelessblocks, or symmetrically carved figures, or
objects of Nature, such as animals, sun, moon, stars, etc....
Resources
Is it wrong for a woman to get an epidural and/or other pain relievers during childbirth? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be a stumbling block to someone else? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the theory of abiogenesis? What is the definition of abiogenesis? | GotQuestions.orgBlocks: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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