Rock

A symbol of strength and permanence and a place where people in danger often took refuge. God is depicted as the Rock of Israel, being the strength, security and deliverance for his people.

Rock as a symbol of strength, stability and permanence

Zechariah 12:3 See also Job 18:4, Job 19:23–24, Job 41:24; Nahum 1:6

On that day, when all the nations of the earth gather against her, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who would heave it away will be severely injured.

Rocks as places of refuge and shelter

1 Samuel 13:6, 1 Samuel 23:25 David's hiding-place from Saul; Job 24:8, Job 30:6; Psalm 27:5, Psalm 40:2; Song of Solomon 2:14; Isaiah 2:10, Isaiah 2:19, Isaiah 2:21, Isaiah 32:2; Jeremiah 4:29, Jeremiah 16:16, Jeremiah 48:28, Jeremiah 49:16 parallel Obadiah 1:3; Revelation 6:15–16

God as a rock

Symbolising his strength and faithfulness

Isaiah 26:4 See also Genesis 49:23–25; Deuteronomy 32:3–4; 1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 23:2–4; Psalm 28:1, Psalm 42:9, Psalm 62:6, Psalm 92:14–15; Isaiah 44:8; Habakkuk 1:12

Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal.

Symbolising safety and refuge in him

Psalm 71:3 See also Deuteronomy 32:30; 2 Samuel 22:31–32 parallel Psalm 18:30–31; Psalm 31:2–3, Psalm 61:1–3, Psalm 62:7, Psalm 94:22, Psalm 144:1–2; Isaiah 17:10

Be my rock of refuge, where I can always go. Give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.

Associated with salvation and deliverance

Deuteronomy 32:15–18; 2 Samuel 22:47 parallel Psalm 18:46; Psalm 19:14, Psalm 62:2, Psalm 78:35, Psalm 89:26, Psalm 95:1

Associated with judgment and punishment

Isaiah 8:13–15; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8

Other gods as rocks

Deuteronomy 32:31 See also Deuteronomy 32:36–38

For their rock is not like our Rock, even our enemies concede.

Water from the rock

Numbers 20:8 See also Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:10–13; Deuteronomy 8:15; Nehemiah 9:15; Psalm 78:15–16, Psalm 78:20, Psalm 105:41; Isaiah 48:21; 1 Corinthians 10:3–4

“Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.”

Rocks as foundations

Matthew 7:24–25 parallel Luke 6:47–48 See also Matthew 16:13–20

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

Rocks in mining, quarrying and building

Deuteronomy 8:9; Job 28:5–6, Job 28:9–10; Isaiah 51:1–2; Jeremiah 23:29, Jeremiah 51:26; Daniel 2:34–35, Daniel 2:45

Rocks used as altars

Judges 6:20–21, Judges 13:19–20

Rock and burial places

Rocks erected over graves

Joshua 7:26, Joshua 8:29; 2 Samuel 18:17

Tombs quarried in rock

Luke 23:53 parallels Matthew 27:59–60, Mark 15:46 See also Isaiah 22:16

Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid.

Rocks used to seal caves and tombs

Joshua 10:17–18, Joshua 10:27; Matthew 27:59–60 parallel Mark 15:46; Matthew 27:66, Matthew 28:2; Mark 16:2–4 parallels Luke 24:2, John 20:1

Rocky soil in the parable of the sower

Matthew 13:20–21 parallels Mark 4:16–17, Luke 8:13 See also Matthew 13:5 parallels Mark 4:5, Luke 8:6

The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

Rocks in place-names

Judges 7:25, Judges 15:8–13, Judges 20:45–47, Judges 21:13; 2 Samuel 20:8; 1 Chronicles 11:15