The Definition and Meaning of the Rock as a Catholic Christian Symbol
Catholic Christian symbolism in art provides a clear graphic illustration which represents people or items of religious significance. What is the definition and the meaning of the Rock? That which resembles a rock in firmness; a defense; a support; a refuge. Psalm 18:2 compares our Lord to a rock and fortress. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress. --2 Sam. xxii.2. The Rock Christian Symbol represents Jesus Christ. A rock can also symbolize obedience to Christ illustrated by Saint Peter whose name means "rock". Num. 20:9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord's presence, just as he commanded him. 10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
Matt. 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matt. 16:17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, (n) and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Reference to the Rock Christian Symbol in the Bible
The Easton Bible Dictionary provides the following definition, meaning and emblem for the Rock Christian Symbol in the Bible. (Heb. tsur), employed as a symbol of God in the Old Testament (1 Sam. 2:2; 2 Sam. 22:3; Isa. 17:10; Ps. 28:1; 31:2,3; 89:26; 95:1); also in the New Testament (Matt. 16:18; Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4). In Dan. 2:45 the Chaldaic form of the Hebrew word is translated "mountain." It ought to be translated "rock," as in Hab. 1:12 in the Revised Version. The "rock" from which the stone is cut there signifies the divine origin of Christ. | 