The word “stone” in Hebrew is the word eben (or even). Reading from right to left, it is spelled with three Hebrew letters: aleph, beit, nun. (Note: the middle letter, beit, can be pronounced as a “b” or a “v.”)
We find this word in Isaiah 28:16: “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.’” (NLT)
We also encounter the word in Isaiah 8:14: “He will keep you safe. But to Israel and Judah he will be a stone that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.” (NLT)
Paul references these verses when he writes, “God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, ‘I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced’” (Romans 9:33 NLT).
Again, the word “stone” in Hebrew is three letters: aleph, beit, nun. The first two letters together spell father. The last two letters together spell son. When you combine father and son, you spell stone.
So what is the “stone” that causes Israel and Judah to stumble?
Jesus: “The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30)
