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Corner-Stone

Artifacts

What is the meaning of Corner-Stone in the Bible?

The cornerstone is a critical structural element in masonry, positioned at the corner of a building's foundation to lock the walls together and maintain geometric integrity. In biblical literature, this architectural feature serves as a primary metaphor for stability, authority, and foundational value.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the physical role of the cornerstone clarifies biblical metaphors where leaders, laws, or divine figures are described as the 'chief cornerstone,' emphasizing their essential function in maintaining the structural and moral integrity of the community or faith.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Corner-Stone were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Corner-Stone in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Corner-Stone clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Corner-Stone." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/cornerstone/
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