Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
to have a close connection with Christian morality; but the morality of stoicism is essentially based
on pride, that of Christianity on humility; the one upholds individual independence, the other
absolute faith in another; the one looks for consolation in the issue of fate, the other in Providence;
the one is limited by Periods of cosmical ruin, the other is consummated in a personal resurrection.
(Acts 17:18) But in spite of the fundamental error of stoicism, which lies in a supreme egotism,
the teaching of this school gave a wide currency to the noble doctrines of the fatherhood of God,
the common bonds of mankind, the sovereignty of the soul. Among their most prominent
representatives were Zeno and Antipater of Tarsus, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius.
Stomacher
The Hebrew word so translated, (Isaiah 3:24) describes some article of female attire, the character
of which is a mere matter of conjecture.
Stones
Besides the ordinary uses to which stones were applied, we may mention that large stones were
set up to commemorate any remarkable event. (Genesis 28:18; 35:14; 31:45; Joshua 4:9; 1 Samuel
7:12) Such stones were occasionally consecrated By anointing. (Genesis 28:18) Heaps of stones
were piled up on various occasions, as in token of a treaty, (Genesis 31:47) or over the grave of
some notorious offender. (Joshua 7:26; 8:29; 2 Samuel 18:17) The “white stone” noticed in
(Revelation 2:17) has been variously regarded as referring to the pebble of acquittal used in the
Greek courts; to the lot cast in elections in Greece to both these combined; to the stones in the high
priest’s breastplate; to the tickets presented to the victor at the public games; or, lastly, to the custom
of writing on stones. The notice in (Zechariah 12:3) of the “burdensome stone” is referred by Jerome
to the custom of lifting stones as an exercise of strength, comp. Ecclus. 6:21; but it may equally
well be explained of a large corner-stone as a symbol of strength. (Isaiah 28:16) Stones are used
metaphorically to denote hardness or insensibility, (1 Samuel 25:37; Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26) as well
as firmness or strength. (Genesis 49:24) The members of the Church are called “living stones,” as
contributing to rear that living temple in which Christ, himself “a living stone,” is the chief or head
of the corner. (Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:4-8)
Stones, Precious
Precious stones are frequently alluded to in Scriptures; they were known and very highly valued
in the earliest times. The Tyrians traded in precious stones supplied by Syria. (Ezekiel 27:16) The
merchants of Sheba and Raamah in south Arabia, and doubtless India and Ceylon supplied the
markets of Tyre with various precious stones. The art of engraving on precious stones was known
from the very earliest times. (Genesis 38:18) The twelve atones of the breastplate were engraved
each one with the name of one of the tribes. (Exodus 28:17-21) It is an undecided question whether
the diamond was known to the early nations of antiquity. The Authorized Version gives if as the
rendering of the Heb. yahalom, but it is probable that the jasper is intended. Precious stones are
used in Scripture in a figurative sense, to signify value, beauty durability, etc., in those objects with
which they are compared. See (Song of Solomon 5:14; Isaiah 54:11,12; Lamentations 4:7; Revelation
4:3; 21:10,21)
Stoning
[Punishments]
Stork
(Heb. chasidah), a large bird of passage of the heron family. The of the largest and most
conspicuous of land birds, standing nearly four feet high, the jet black of its wings and its bright
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William Smith