Large stones hold significant symbolic and practical importance throughout the biblical narrative. They are often associated with memorials, altars, and divine interventions, serving as tangible reminders of God's covenant, judgment, and deliverance.

Memorials and Covenants

Large stones frequently serve as memorials to commemorate significant events or covenants between God and His people. In Joshua 4:20-24, after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, Joshua set up twelve stones taken from the riverbed at Gilgal as a memorial. These stones were to remind future generations of how the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the Ark of the Covenant, signifying God's powerful presence and faithfulness: "He said to the Israelites, 'In the future, when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’" (Joshua 4:21-22).

Similarly, in Genesis 31:45-48, Jacob set up a stone pillar as a witness to the covenant between him and Laban. This stone served as a boundary marker and a testament to their agreement, highlighting the role of large stones as witnesses to human and divine covenants.

Altars and Worship

Large stones are also used in the construction of altars for worship and sacrifice. In Exodus 20:25, God instructs the Israelites on building altars: "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 underscores the importance of using natural, uncut stones, emphasizing purity and divine creation in worship practices.

In 1 Kings 18:31-32, Elijah uses twelve stones to build an altar on Mount Carmel, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. This altar becomes the site of a dramatic demonstration of God's power when fire from heaven consumes Elijah's sacrifice, reaffirming the Lord's supremacy over the false god Baal.

Divine Interventions and Judgments

Large stones are sometimes instruments of divine intervention or judgment. In Joshua 10:11, during the battle against the Amorites, the Lord hurls large hailstones from the sky, causing more enemy casualties than the swords of the Israelites: "As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites." This event illustrates God's direct involvement in the battles of His people, using natural elements as tools of judgment.

In the New Testament, large stones are also associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 28:2, an angel of the Lord rolls back the stone from the entrance of the tomb, signifying Christ's victory over death: "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it." The removal of the stone marks the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the beginning of a new covenant through Christ.

Symbolism and Prophecy

Large stones carry symbolic meanings in biblical prophecy and teachings. In Daniel 2:34-35, a stone "cut out without hands" strikes the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, symbolizing the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. This stone grows into a mountain, representing the ultimate triumph of God's reign over earthly kingdoms.

Furthermore, in 1 Peter 2:4-5, believers are described as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house, with Christ as the cornerstone. This metaphor highlights the foundational role of Christ in the faith and the collective identity of believers as part of God's spiritual temple.

Throughout Scripture, large stones serve as enduring symbols of God's presence, power, and promises, woven into the fabric of biblical history and theology.