Topical Encyclopedia
The term "cornerstone" holds significant theological and symbolic meaning within the biblical narrative, representing strength, foundation, and unity. In ancient construction practices, the cornerstone was the principal stone placed at the corner of a building, serving as the foundation and standard upon which the entire structure was aligned and built. This concept is richly woven throughout Scripture, both in the Old and New Testaments, and is used metaphorically to describe the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Old Testament ReferencesThe cornerstone is first mentioned in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with strength and stability. In
Isaiah 28:16, the prophet declares, "So this is what the Lord GOD says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.'" This passage highlights the cornerstone as a symbol of trust and security, pointing to the coming Messiah who would be the foundation of God's redemptive plan.
Psalm 118:22 also speaks of the cornerstone: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This verse prophetically alludes to the rejection and eventual exaltation of the Messiah, a theme that is echoed in the New Testament.
New Testament FulfillmentIn the New Testament, the cornerstone imagery is explicitly applied to Jesus Christ. The Apostle Peter, in his address to the Sanhedrin, cites
Psalm 118:22, affirming its fulfillment in Jesus: "He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone'" (
Acts 4:11). This declaration underscores the rejection of Christ by the religious leaders and His ultimate role as the foundation of the Church.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this concept in
Ephesians 2:19-20: "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." Here, Paul emphasizes the unity and cohesion of the Church, built upon the teachings of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the essential cornerstone that holds the entire structure together.
Theological SignificanceTheologically, the cornerstone represents Christ's preeminence and foundational role in the life of believers and the Church. As the cornerstone, Jesus is the source of spiritual stability and the standard by which all doctrine and practice are measured. His life, death, and resurrection are the basis for salvation, and His teachings are the guiding principles for Christian living.
Moreover, the cornerstone metaphor illustrates the unity of believers, who are "living stones" being built into a spiritual house (
1 Peter 2:4-5). This imagery conveys the idea that each believer, while unique, is an integral part of the larger body of Christ, unified by their common foundation in Him.
ConclusionThe cornerstone is a profound biblical symbol that encapsulates the essence of Christ's mission and the believer's relationship with Him. It serves as a reminder of the strength, unity, and security found in Jesus, the cornerstone of our faith.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Cornerstonea quoin or cornerstone, of great importance in binding together the sides of a building. The phrase "corner-stone" is sometimes used to denote any principal person, as the princes of Egypt, (Isaiah 19:13) and is thus applied to our Lord. (Isaiah 28:16;Matthew 21:42;1 Peter 2:6,7)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CORNER-STONEkor'-ner ston (pinnah, zawith; akrogoniaios): Part of the public or imposing buildings, to which importance has been attached in all ages and in many nations, both on account of its actual service and its figurative meaning. Ordinarily its use in the Bible is figurative, or symbolical. No doubt the original meaning was some important stone, which was laid at the foundation of a building.
(1) With the Canaanites, who preceded Israel in the possession of Palestine, corner-stone laying seems to have been a most sacred and impressive ceremonial. Under this important stone of temples, or other great structures, bodies of children or older persons would be laid, consecrating the building by such human sacrifice (see FORTIFICATION, II, 1). This was one of many hideous rites and practices which Israel was to extirpate. It may throw light on the curse pronounced upon the rebuilding of Jericho (Joshua 6:26; see PEFS, January, 1904, July, 1908).
SeeCANAAN.
(2) Old Testament references.-The Hebrew word pinnah, "corner," is found or implied in every occurrence of this idea. Derived from a root signifying "to turn," it means "turning," and therefore "edge" or "corner." Ordinarily it is used with 'ebhen, "stone" (Psalm 118:22); or it may occur alone, having acquired for itself through frequent use the whole technical phrase-idea (Zechariah 10:4 the King James Version).
Figurative Uses:
While all the passages indicate the stone at the corner, there appear to be two conceptions:
(a) the foundation-stone upon which the structure rested (Job 38:6Isaiah 28:16Jeremiah 51:26); or
(b) the topmost or cap-stone, which linked the last tier together (Psalm 118:22Zechariah 4:7); in both cases it is an important or key-stone, and figurative of the Messiah, who is "the First and the Last."
InJob 38:6 it beautifully expresses in figures the stability of the earth, which Yahweh created. InZechariah 10:4 the leader or ruler in the Messianic age is represented by the corner-stone. The ancient tradition of the one missing stone, when the temple was in building, is reflected in or has been suggested byPsalm 118:22 (Midrash quoted by Pusey underZechariah 4:7). It is probable that we should read inPsalm 144:12 not "corner-stones," but "corner-pillars," or supports (compare Greek Caryatides) from a different Hebrew word, zawith, Brown, Driver, and Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, under the word
(3) New Testament passages.-Psalm 118:22 is quoted and interpreted as fulfilled in Jesus Christ in a number of passages:Matthew 21:42Mark 12:10Luke 20:17Acts 4:11 and1 Peter 2:7; it is also the evident basis forEphesians 2:20.Isaiah 28:16 is quoted twice in the New Testament:Romans 9:33, from Septuagint combined with the words ofIsaiah 8:14, and in1 Peter 2:6, which is quoted with some variation from Septuagint. The Old Testament passages were understood by the rabbis to be Messianic, and were properly so applied by the New Testament writers.
See alsoHOUSE.
Edward Mack
Greek
204. akrogoniaios -- at the extreme angle or corner... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: akrogoniaios Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-rog-o-nee-ah'-yos) Short Definition: in the corner,
cornerstone Definition:
...Strong's Hebrew
6438. pinnah -- a corner... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a corner NASB Word Usage chiefs
(2), corner (16), corner towers (2), corners (7),
cornerstone (3),
cornerstone...2106. zavith -- a corner
... corner. Word Origin from an unused word Definition a corner NASB Word Usage
corner (1), corners (1).cornerstone. Apparently from...
68. eben -- a stone
... root Definition a stone NASB Word Usage another (1), charm* (1),cornerstone* (1),
death (1), differing weights (3), hailstones* (4), jeweler* (1), lapis lazuli...
Library
Christ is OurCornerstone
... IV. SPECIAL OCCASIONS Church Building and Consecration 458. Christ is ourcornerstone.
6.6.6.6.8.8... Tr. John Chandler, 1837. Christ is ourcornerstone,....
The Temple Cleansed Again
... the coming Messiah. Christ was thecornerstone of the Jewish economy,
and of the whole plan of salvation. This foundation stone...
Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
... Cor. i.23), or a preciouscornerstone (I. Pet. ii.7, 8; Acts 4:11; I. Cor.
iii.11). Jesus is thecornerstone of true religion. Those...
Of the Scriptures
... Now ye know there are two principal things in a house"the foundation and the
cornerstone, the one supports the building the other unites it and holds it...
The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
... Of this building Christ is thecornerstone, and the prophets and apostles
the foundation. In 1 Cor.3 Christ is the chiefcornerstone...
The Return of the Exiles
... While thecornerstone was being set in position, the people, accompanied by the
trumpets of the priests and the cymbals of the sons of Asaph, "sang together by...
The Political Constitution of Egypt
... Thecornerstone at the top of the mastaba, at the extreme left of the hieroglyphic
frieze, had been loosened and thrown to the ground by some explorer; the...
The Hymnwriter
... Yet her ramparts did not fall. Were her outer walls forsaken. Still hercornerstone
remains,. Firm, unconquered and unshaken,. Making futile all their gains....
The Temple and Its Dedication
... Of this spiritual temple Christ is "the chiefCornerstone; in whom all the building
fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord." Ephesians 2...
The Sign for Man and the Remembrancer for God
... man's life cheap. Therefore thecornerstone of future society is laid in
that declaration that life is inviolable. These blessings...
Thesaurus
Cornerstone (13 Occurrences)... Testament writers. See also HOUSE. Edward Mack. Multi-Version Concordance
Cornerstone (13 Occurrences). Matthew 21:42 "Have you never
...Wonderful (71 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:42 "Have you never read in the Scriptures," said Jesus, "'The Stone which
the builders rejected has been made theCornerstone: thisCornerstone came...
Wonder (148 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:42 "Have you never read in the Scriptures," said Jesus, "'The Stone which
the builders rejected has been made theCornerstone: thisCornerstone came...
Corner (60 Occurrences)
... But he looked at them, and said, "Then what is this that is written,'The stone which
the builders rejected, the same was made the chiefcornerstone?' (Root in...
Builders (24 Occurrences)
... But he looked at them, and said, "Then what is this that is written,'The stone which
the builders rejected, the same was made the chiefcornerstone?' (WEB KJV...
Capstone (7 Occurrences)
... But he looked at them, and said, "Then what is this that is written,'The stone which
the builders rejected, the same was made the chiefcornerstone?' (See NIV)....
Rejected (96 Occurrences)
... But he looked at them, and said, "Then what is this that is written,'The stone which
the builders rejected, the same was made the chiefcornerstone?' (WEB KJV...
Believes (34 Occurrences)
... (WEB). 1 Peter 2:6 Because it is contained in Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion
a chiefcornerstone, chosen, and precious: He who believes in him will not be...
Corner-stone (10 Occurrences)
Corner-stone.Cornerstone, Corner-stone. Cornerstones . Int.... (ASV DBY JPS YLT).
Cornerstone, Corner-stone. Cornerstones . Reference Bible.
Stone (290 Occurrences)
... But he looked at them, and said, "Then what is this that is written,'The stone which
the builders rejected, the same was made the chiefcornerstone?' (WEB KJV...
Resources
What are the different names and titles of Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is Jesus called the stumbling stone in Matthew 21:43-44? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a plumb line in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgCornerstone: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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