- STOICS a sect of Greek philosophers at Athens, so called from the
Greek word stoa i.e., a “porch” or “portico,” where they have been called
“the Pharisees of Greek paganism.” The founder of the Stoics was Zeno,
who flourished about B.C. 300. He taught his disciples that a man’s
happiness consisted in bringing himself into harmony with the course of
the universe. They were trained to bear evils with indifference, and so to
be independent of externals. Materialism, pantheism, fatalism, and pride
were the leading features of this philosophy. - STOMACHER (Isaiah 3:24), an article of female attire, probably some
sort of girdle around the breast. - STONE Stones were commonly used for buildings, also as memorials of
important events (Genesis 28:18; Joshua 24:26, 27; 1 Samuel 7:12, etc.).
They were gathered out of cultivated fields (Isaiah 5:2; comp. 2 Kings
3:19). This word is also used figuratively of believers (1 Peter 2:4, 5), and
of the Messiah (Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11,
etc.). In Daniel 2:45 it refers also to the Messiah. He is there described as
“cut out of the mountain.” (See ROCK.)
A “heart of stone” denotes great insensibility (1 Samuel 25:37).
Stones were set up to commemorate remarkable events, as by Jacob at
Bethel (Genesis 28:18), at Padan-aram (35:4), and on the occasion of
parting with Laban (31:45-47); by Joshua at the place on the banks of the
Jordan where the people first “lodged” after crossing the river (Joshua
6:8), and also in “the midst of Jordan,” where he erected another set of
twelve stones (4:1-9); and by Samuel at “Ebenezer” (1 Samuel 7:12).
- STONES, PRECIOUS Frequently referred to (1 Kings 10:2; 2 Chronicles
3:6; 9:10; Revelation 18:16; 21:19). There are about twenty different
names of such stones in the Bible. They are figuratively introduced to
denote value, beauty, durability (Cant. 5:14; Isa 54:11, 12; Lamentations
4:7). - STONING a form of punishment (Leviticus 20:2; 24:14; Deuteronomy
13:10; 17:5; 22:21) prescribed for certain offences. Of Achan (Joshua
7:25), Naboth (1 Kings 21), Stephen (Acts 7:59), Paul (Acts 14:19; 2
Corinthians 11:25). - STORK Hebrews hasidah, meaning “kindness,” indicating thus the
character of the bird, which is noted for its affection for its young. It is in