On HEWN stone

 

Exodus 20:25

King James Version

25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, 

thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: 

for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, 

thou hast polluted it.

That was the LORD's command in the Old Testament.

That Moses and the Israelites not use hewn stone to build an altar for GOD.

What do other Bible versions say about "hewn stone"?

Exodus 20:25

Amplified Bible

25 If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you use a chisel on it, you will [a]profane it.

Exodus 20:25

Common English Bible

25 But if you do make for me an altar from stones, don’t build it with chiseled stone since using your chisel on the stone will make it impure.

Exodus 20:25

Easy-to-Read Version

25 But if you use stones to make an altar, then don’t use stones that were cut with an iron tool.[a] If you do that, it will make the altar unacceptable.

Exodus 20:25

Expanded Bible

25 If you use stones to make an altar for me, don’t use ·stones that you have shaped with tools [hewn/cut stones]. When you use any ·tools [chisel] on them, you ·make them unsuitable for use in worship [profane them].

Exodus 20:25

GOD’S WORD Translation

25 If you build an altar for me made out of stones, never make it with cut stone blocks. If you use a chisel on it, you will make it unacceptable to me.

Exodus 20:25

International Children’s Bible

25 You may use stones to make an altar for me. But don’t use stones that you have made smooth with tools. You must not use any tools on the stones. If you do, you make them unsuitable for use in worship.

Exodus 20:25

Living Bible

25 You may also build altars from stone, but if you do, then use only uncut stones and boulders. Don’t chip or shape the stones with a tool, for that would make them unfit for my altar.

Exodus 20:25

The Message

If you use stones to make my Altar, don’t use dressed stones. If you use a chisel on the stones you’ll profane the Altar

Exodus 20:25

New English Translation

25 If you make me an altar of stone, you must not build it[a] of stones shaped with tools,[b] for if you use your tool on it you have defiled it.

Exodus 20:25

New Living Translation

25 If you use stones to build my altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use.

Exodus 20:25

The Voice

25 But if you decide to build an altar out of stones for Me, use only natural stones, not hand-cut stones, because any attempt to shape them with your tools will desecrate the altar.

In SUMMARY, "hewn stone" refers to:

cut stones

chiseled stone

stones that were cut with an iron tool

stones that you have shaped with tools [hewn/cut stones]

cut stone blocks

stones that you have made smooth with tools

dressed stones

stones shaped with tools

Instead, the Bible says:

use only uncut stones and boulders

use only natural, uncut stones

use only natural stones, not hand-cut stones

GOD also mentioned the altar He wanted built:

Exodus 20:24

King James Version

24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, 

and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, 

and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: 

in all places where I record my name 

I will come unto thee, 

and I will bless thee.

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The MOST SECURE foundation

 

JESUS on FOUNDATIONS:

Matthew 7:24-25

King James Version

24 Therefore whosoever heareth 

these sayings of mine, 

and doeth them, 

I will liken him unto a wise man, 

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, 

and the floods came, 

and the winds blew, 

and beat upon that house; 

and it fell not: 

for it was founded upon a rock.

Oh, to lean against the ROCK, that is CHRIST!

Who is the strongest, surest foundation of all.

For upon Him, everything was built.

John 1:3

King James Version

3 All things were made by him; 

and without him was not any thing made 

that was made.

GOD is the ONLY TRUE BUILDER.

Hebrews 3:4

King James Version

4 For every house is builded by some man; 

but he that built all things is God.

He laid the sure foundation in CHRIST JESUS.

Isaiah 28:16

King James Version

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, 

Behold, 

I lay in Zion for a foundation 

a stone, 

a tried stone, 

a precious corner stone, 

a sure foundation: 

he that believeth shall not make haste.

JESUS being the chief corner stone.

Ephesians 2:20

King James Version

20 And are built upon the foundation 

of the apostles and prophets, 

Jesus Christ himself 

being the chief corner stone;

In Whom everything PERFECTLY fits together.

Ephesians 2:21

King James Version

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together 

groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

For GOD built that temple, for His HOLY SPIRIT.

Ephesians 2:22

King James Version

22 In whom ye also are builded together 

for an habitation of God 

through the Spirit.

What surer foundation can there be?

In this life, or in the next?

Lean against JESUS.

Lean against His WORD.

Find GRACE and TRUTH, in JESUS CHRIST alone.

John 1:17

King James Version

17 For the law was given by Moses, 

but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

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FOUNDATION

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BLESS Your HOME with the PRESENCE of GOD

 

Isaiah 55:8-9

King James Version

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are my ways higher than your ways, 

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

What do you think makes up a home?

What is the difference between a house, and a home?

Let SPIRIT and Scripture define it for you.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 

King James Version

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God 

with all thine heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy might.

6 And these words, 

which I command thee this day, 

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently 

unto thy children, 

and shalt talk of them 

when thou sittest in thine house, 

and when thou walkest by the way, 

and when thou liest down, 

and when thou risest up.

Joshua 24:15 

King James Version

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, 

choose you this day whom ye will serve; 

whether the gods which your fathers served 

that were on the other side of the flood, 

or the gods of the Amorites, 

in whose land ye dwell: 

but as for me and my house, 

we will serve the Lord.

2 Samuel 7:29 

King James Version

29 Therefore now let it please thee 

to bless the house of thy servant, 

that it may continue for ever before thee: 

for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it: 

and with thy blessing 

let the house of thy servant 

be blessed for ever.

Psalm 91:1-2 

King James Version

91 He that dwelleth 

in the secret place of the most High 

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, 

He is my refuge and my fortress: 

my God; in him will I trust.

Psalm 127:1 

King James Version

127 Except the Lord build the house, 

they labour in vain that build it: 

except the Lord keep the city, 

the watchman waketh but in vain.

Proverbs 3:33 

King James Version

33 The curse of the Lord 

is in the house of the wicked: 

but he blesseth the habitation 

of the just.

Proverbs 24:3-4 

King James Version

3 Through wisdom is an house builded; 

and by understanding it is established:

4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled 

with all precious and pleasant riches.

Isaiah 28:16 

King James Version

16 Therefore 

thus saith the Lord God, 

Behold, 

I lay in Zion for a foundation 

a stone, 

a tried stone, 

a precious corner stone, 

a sure foundation: 

he that believeth shall not make haste.

Isaiah 32:18 

King James Version

18 And my people shall dwell 

in a peaceable habitation, 

and in sure dwellings, 

and in quiet resting places;

Matthew 7:25 

King James Version

25 And the rain descended, 

and the floods came, 

and the winds blew, 

and beat upon that house; 

and it fell not: 

for it was founded 

upon a rock.

John 14:1-2 

King James Version

14 Let not your heart be troubled: 

ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: 

if it were not so, I would have told you. 

I go to prepare a place for you.

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 

King James Version

5 For we know that if our earthly house 

of this tabernacle were dissolved, 

we have a building of God, 

an house not made with hands, 

eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, 

earnestly desiring to be clothed upon 

with our house which is from heaven:

3 If so be that being clothed 

we shall not be found naked.

4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, 

being burdened: 

not for that we would be unclothed, 

but clothed upon, 

that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

5 Now he that hath wrought us 

for the selfsame thing is God, 

who also hath given unto us 

the earnest of the Spirit.

Hebrews 3:4 

King James Version

4 For every house is builded by some man; 

but he that built all things is God.

Some verses sourced from:

"Bible Verses About Home"

Compiled and Edited by BibleStudyTools Staff on 3/18/2018

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The IDEAL home

Image: Unsplash

Updated 23 August 2025

JESUS as the FOUNDATION of Our Life, Home, and Work

 

Psalm 18:2

King James Version

2 The Lord is my rock, 

and my fortress, and my deliverer; 

my God, my strength, 

in whom I will trust; 

my buckler, 

and the horn of my salvation, 

and my high tower.

Fifteen months ago, I surrendered my whole life and work to the MASTER Builder -- JESUS.

Material things of the world, and its constant bickering, don't appeal to me at all,.

Only God has control over how anything would turn out.

I prefer building my "house" (my soul, my whole life, my whole work), upon the STRONGEST foundation of all -- JESUS.

He is the Builder, the Rock, and the Foundation.

JESUS is ALL.

These verses testify to the infinite strength, glory, and wisdom of the LORD, upon whom we must all build our lives, homes, and work.

Find permanent STRENGTH in these powerful verses:

Genesis 49:24

King James Version

24 But his bow abode in strength, 

and the arms of his hands were made strong 

by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; 

(from thence is the shepherd, 

the stone of Israel:)

Deuteronomy 32:4

King James Version

4 He is the Rock, 

his work is perfect: 

for all his ways are judgment: 

a God of truth and without iniquity, 

just and right is he.

Psalm 62:5-8

King James Version

5 My soul, 

wait thou only upon God; 

for my expectation is from him.

6 He only is my rock and my salvation: 

he is my defence; 

I shall not be moved.

7 In God is my salvation and my glory: 

the rock of my strength, 

and my refuge, 

is in God.

8 Trust in him at all times; 

ye people, 

pour out your heart before him: 

God is a refuge for us. 

Selah.

Psalm 89:26

King James Version

26 He shall cry unto me, 

Thou art my father, 

my God, 

and the rock of my salvation.

Psalm 118:22

King James Version

22 The stone which the builders refused 

is become the head stone of the corner.

Matthew 7:24-25

King James Version

24 Therefore whosoever heareth 

these sayings of mine, and doeth them, 

I will liken him unto a wise man, 

which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, 

and the winds blew, and beat upon that house;

and it fell not: 

for it was founded upon a rock.

Matthew 21:42

King James Version

42 Jesus saith unto them, 

Did ye never read in the scriptures, 

The stone which the builders rejected, 

the same is become the head of the corner: 

this is the Lord's doing, 

and it is marvellous in our eyes?

1 Corinthians 3:11

King James Version

11 For other foundation can no man lay 

than that is laid, 

which is Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:4

King James Version

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: 

for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: 

and that Rock was Christ.

Ephesians 2:20-22

King James Version

20 And are built upon the foundation 

of the apostles and prophets, 

Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together 

groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together 

for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:6

King James Version

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, 

Behold, 

I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, 

elect, precious: 

and he that believeth on him 

shall not be confounded.

Other references:

The CHIEF Corner Stone

ROCK steady

PEACE through JESUS

The IDEAL home

34 Bible Verses about Jesus Is The Rock

17 Bible Verses about Christ The Rock

Bible Verses about Jesus Christ as Rock

Updated 29 October 2023