What is the Rock (צוּר)?

 

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.' Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ."

Matthew 16:13-20 (ESV)

The particular verse of interest is verse 18, where Jesus says, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

In the original Koine Greek, the word for "Peter" is Πέτρος "Petros" and the word for "rock" is πέτρα "petra." While both words are related to "rock," the former is masculine, and the latter is feminine, which has led to numerous theological discussions. The play on words here is evident, but its precise interpretation has been a point of contention among different Christian denominations.

The "rock" upon which the church is built is understood as the confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, rather than Peter himself. This interpretation is consistent with other passages in the New Testament that describe Jesus as the cornerstone or foundation of the church (e.g., Ephesians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 3:11).

The metaphor of the Hebrew word צוּר "rock" in the Bible serves as a rich and multi-layered symbol that encapsulates various aspects of God's nature—His dependability, strength, and eternal nature. Today, we explore the Biblical use of צוּר, focusing on its Hebrew root, as found in Isaiah 26:4 and Psalm 18. The analysis will delve into the literal and figurative meanings of the term, its pairing with other Hebrew words like "olam," and its theological implications from a Protestant Evangelical perspective. The essay will also incorporate observations from the Church Fathers and other ancient sources to comprehensively understand the metaphor.

The Literal and Figurative Meanings of צוּר

The Hebrew term צוּר "tsur" is often translated into English as "rock," "cliff," or "boulder." In a literal sense, the term denotes a physical geological formation, but its metaphorical usage in the Bible is far more expansive. In Isaiah 26:4, the term is used to describe God: "The Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal" (ESV). Here, צוּר "tsur" is employed to signify God as a steadfast and reliable entity. The metaphor extends beyond the physical attributes of a rock to encompass the idea of God as a refuge or sanctuary (Brown, Driver, and Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon, 849).

In Psalm 18, the term "tsur" appears three times (vv. 2, 31, 46). Verse 2 is particularly noteworthy for its accumulation of metaphors: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock [צוּר[, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:2, ESV). The psalmist employs a plethora of images to emphasize God's multifaceted dependability. The term צוּר "tsur" here serves as a cornerstone metaphor that is enriched by other images like "fortress," "deliverer," "shield," and "stronghold."

Theological Implications of צוּר "Tsur" and עוֹלָם "Olam"

The Hebrew word עוֹלָם "olam," is complex and carries a range of meanings, often context-dependent. In its most basic sense, עוֹלָם "olam" refers to a long duration or a period that extends into the distant future or past. Originally, עוֹלָם "olam," meant as far as the eye can see" to the Ancient Hebrews. Today, it is commonly translated into English as "forever," "everlasting," "eternal," or "perpetual."

In Isaiah 26:4, the word צוּר "tsur" is paired with עוֹלָם "olam," which means "long duration, forever, everlasting, perpetual" (Koehler and Baumgartner, Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, 799). The coupling of "tsur" and "olam" amplifies the concept of God's eternal and unchanging nature. The phrase "Rock eternal" not only emphasizes God's steadfastness but also His timelessness. This pairing resonates with the Evangelical Protestant understanding of God as immutable and eternal, aligning with passages like Malachi 3:6, "For I the Lord do not change" (ESV).

Observations from the Church Fathers

The Church Fathers also engaged with the metaphor of God as a rock. Augustine, in his Expositions on the Psalms, refers to God as the "Rock of Ages," emphasizing His eternal nature (Augustine, Expositions on the Psalms, 18.2). Similarly, Origen, in his Homilies on the Psalms, interprets the rock as Christ, the eternal Word of God (Origen, Homilies on the Psalms, 15.3). These patristic interpretations align with the Evangelical Protestant perspective, which sees Christ as the eternal Word (John 1:1, ESV) and the rock upon which the Church is built (Matthew 16:18, ESV).

The Rock Carved Without Hands in the Book of Daniel

The Book of Daniel, a cornerstone of prophetic literature in the Old Testament, provides a vivid tableau of God's sovereignty over nations and the unfolding of His divine plan. One of the most striking images in Daniel is that of the "rock carved without hands," which appears in Nebuchadnezzar's dream as interpreted by Daniel in chapter 2. 

The Rock in Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, experiences a troubling dream that none of his wise men can interpret. Daniel, endowed with divine wisdom, reveals the dream and its interpretation. The king sees a great statue made of various materials, representing successive kingdoms. The statue is ultimately destroyed by a "rock that was cut out of a mountain by no human hand" (Daniel 2:45, ESV). This rock becomes a great mountain that fills the whole earth.

Theological Implications: God's Sovereignty Over Nations

The rock's divine origin, being "cut out of a mountain by no human hand," signifies God's sovereignty and divine intervention in the affairs of nations. The rock's destruction of the statue symbolizes the overthrow of human kingdoms by the Kingdom of God. This aligns with the Evangelical understanding of God's sovereignty, as articulated in passages like Psalm 22:28: "For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations" (ESV).

The Rock is Symbolic of God's Kingdom

The rock not only destroys the statue but also grows to become a mountain that fills the earth. This transformation serves as a metaphor for the Kingdom of God, which starts small but eventually encompasses the whole world. The rock's divine origin and its ultimate victory over human kingdoms resonate with the eschatological hope in the Kingdom of God, as articulated in passages like Revelation 11:15: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" (ESV).

Observations from the Church Fathers

The Church Fathers also engaged with the symbolism of the rock in Daniel. In his work The City of God, Augustine interprets the rock as Christ, the cornerstone, who establishes the eternal Kingdom of God (Augustine, The City of God, 20.25). Similarly, Irenaeus, in Against Heresies, views the rock as indicative of the incarnate Word that destroys the kingdoms of the world to establish the reign of God (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 5.26.2). These patristic interpretations align with the Evangelical Protestant perspective, which sees Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the inaugurator of the Kingdom of God.

The image of the "rock carved without hands" in Daniel 2 serves as a profound symbol and metaphor for God's sovereignty over nations and the ultimate establishment of His Kingdom. The rock's divine origin and its transformative power encapsulate the Evangelical understanding of God's sovereign rule and eschatological victory. The insights from the Church Fathers further corroborate this understanding, making the metaphor of the rock a robust and enduring symbol that transcends time and theological traditions.

The metaphor of the "rock" in the Bible, particularly as represented by the Hebrew term צוּר "tsur," serves as a potent symbol of God's dependability, strength, and eternal nature. Its usage in Isaiah 26:4 and Psalm 18 reveals a multi-faceted understanding of God, enriched by its pairing with terms like "olam." This metaphor is consistent with the doctrine of God's immutability and eternal nature. The insights from the Church Fathers further corroborate this understanding, making the metaphor of God as a rock a robust and enduring image that transcends time and theological traditions.