Bible Strands
Psalms 118:22
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — A worshipper or assembly addressing God in a Hallel of thanksgiving, positioned between a declaration of answered prayer (v. 21) and a confession of divine marvel (v. 23).
The words — רֹאשׁ (rōš) means "head, chief, principal"; the verse says the rejected stone became the head of the corner, not merely a corner piece.
The thread — Jesus cites this verse against the Pharisees (Matthew 21:42; Luke 20:17); Peter applies it to Christ as "the living stone" (1 Peter 2:4).
Why it lands — It forces the reader to test their own rejections against the possibility that the thing they set aside is the load-bearing one.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Cross-references
- Luke 20:17 But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?
- Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
- 1 Peter 2:4 As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,
- Acts 4:11 This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
- Mark 12:10 Have you never read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
- Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
- Zechariah 4:7 What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”