Traveling through the previous two decades, I’ve become progressively fascinated with word symbology. I’m particularly fascinated with the word “stone” and its possible ancient symbolic meaning. Old Testament references to “unhewn” stone i.e. Jacob’s pillow and material for Altar construction implies (at least for me) a meaning equivalency or explanation of “law”. “Unhewn” possibly meaning “God’s” or, for the less religious, “nature’s” law observed by man. Fast forward to the lamentations of Jeremiah (in captivity in Babylon) and you’ll find the use of “hewn” stone (Lam 3:9). “Hewn” most likely meaning “man’s” law. Quoting from Lamentations- “I am enclosed in hewn stone (prison) and it makes my paths crooked”. While Jacob, like a baby, sleeps on “unhewn” stone.
I’m hopeful some of you might examine this curiosity of mine and comment on the subject matter. The “Ten Commandments” are “hewn” stone? Judge Moore, the Alabamian, in the news of late and the most recent question for Cecil (Joint, roach, stoned) drew my attention to the subject. Other words of particular interest to me are “water” and “wine”.
The OT wasn’t written in English, of course. I don’t see any symbolism there, just the literal meaning of “hewn” (cut, formed). A cut stone is usually man-made, so there may be some connection between “hewn” and “unnatural”, but I think the 10 Commandments were placed on hewn stone simply because a cut stone tablet is more dramatic than an irregular chunk of rock.
Hewn stone (as opposed to dressed or polished stone) is actually quite rough too – it means it’s in the condition it was quarried in. Very rough, usually showing the marks and gouges from the tools it was cut with. Still, hewn stone isn’t rough as unhewn stone, which would merely mean stones or boulders found somewhere and used without cutting them.