Rocks

When have rocks been mentioned in the Bible? What were they used for?

"... be thou my strong rock." This Psalm was written in a society where rocks were very important. The New Westminster Dictionary of the Bible explains, "Rocks were found nearly everywhere in the hilly and mountainous districts of Palestine." .) Some of the big Palestinian rocks were so important to their communities that they were given names. A large rock could provide shade, protection from enemies and a place of shelter for travelers. The people relied on rocks and often referred to God as a rock because of God's protecting power. Notice how in the first verse of Hymn 33 God is identified with the same useful and comforting qualities one might find in a rock: "Call the Lord thy sure salvation, Rest beneath th'Almighty's shade, In His secret habitation Dwell, nor ever be dismayed.


"That big stick of yours, the one that you’re always carrying around with you? Hit that rock with it."

Moses did as he was told and wonder of wonders, there was water.

It was only one rock and one spring of water from that rock but there was apparently enough for everyone and the sheep and goats and cattle an all, so they stayed put for awhile.

Look at each of these verses that refer to Rocks. What does it tell us about the value and role of rocks. How does this relate to God?

9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations

Sam 13:6

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

Job 30:

6 To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.

Isa 2:19

And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Isa 7:19

19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.