[Greek] λιθοβολέω (lithoboleō), [Latin] lapidare, [Spanish] lapidar: to pelt with stones, to cast stones, to execute someone by a mob or group throwing large stones; Mt.21:35, Mt.23:37, Mk.12:4, Lk.13:34, Jn.8:5, Acts 7:58,59, Acts 14:5, Heb.12:20
The Woman Taken in Adultery: painting by Rembrandt (1644)
Background information:
The Woman Taken in Adultery: Rembrandt brings this scene to life with the pale dressed adulterous woman as the focal point. Jesus is depicted as an imposing benevolent figure of higher moral superiority. The accusers are depicted as darker and shadowy figures. Jesus refuses to be tricked by the darker figures around Him and her.
Old Testament: The Torah and Talmud both prescribe stoning as punishment for a number of offenses. Stoning appears to have been the standard method of punishment of capital punishment in ancient Israel. Its uses are found in the early Christian era. However, Jewish courts have generally avoided stoning sentences in later times. They will incite a crowd against you and they will stone you and cut you into pieces with their swords (Eze.16:40). Then let all the congregation stone him (Lev.24:14). He threw stones at David and at all the king’s officers (2Kgs.16:6). The whole community threatened to stone them (Num.14:10). If we sacrifice what is an abomination to the Egyptians, will they not stone us? (Exo.8:26). So you shall stone him to death because he ahs sought to seduce you from the Lord your God (Deu.13:10). Remove the stones, lift up a standard over the people (Isa.62:10).
New Testament: This term essentially means to stone someone. Scriptural references pertain to the parable of tenants, Jesus’ lament on Jerusalem, the adulterous woman, the stoning (martyrdom) of Stephen, and the ordinances against approaching Mount Sinai. In the parable of tenants, the servant stoned is likened to the persecuted prophets. The Jews, supported by the Law, intend to stone the adulterous woman. Stephen is stoned and martyred because of his inspired accusations against the Jews. The Jews and Gentiles, fearful of Paul’s effectiveness in the synagogue, stone Paul and Barnabas. Heb. 12:20 makes reference to that Mt. Sinai is such holy grounds, that man and animals must be stoned before touching these grounds.
Scripture:
“But the tenants seized the servants and on they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned.” Mt.21:35
The parable of the tenants refers to a landowner who sent his servants to obtain his produce. The servants killed and stoned by the servants allude to the prophets sent by God.
“Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such someone. So what do you say?” Jn.8:5
The Pharisees and scribes state that the Law allows for the adulterous woman to be stoned. Jesus guilts the accusers, forcing them to leave. Jesus tells the adulterous woman to sin no more.
“They threw Stephen out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’”. Acts 7:58-59
Stephen, inspired by the Holy Spirit, likened his accusers to those who killed past prophets. In turn, his accusers became infuriated and begin to stone him.
Dilapidation: This refers to the state of disrepair, decay, ruin, misuse, neglect of something. This is a wearing down of something as if stones were thrown at it.
Lapis: Perhaps it is from the Latin lapis (stone) that we get the Spanish lapiz (pencil). (Or you can ‘draw’ – [sorry, couldn’t resist]– your own conclusions).
Conclusion:
Dilapidation, dilapidated, lapiz
In the Old Testament, stoning is one of the punishments carried out by a group as a whole. It is interesting to note that this term also refers to clearing out a place (path) by removing stones.
In the New Testament, the stoning regulations in the Law continue. In the Jews’ minds, Stephen’s ‘scandalous’ words were cause for stoning him.
At first glance, I really didn’t think that there would be any modern day words that would come from this Roman term lapis. This term makes perfect sense when you ‘throw’ stones and accusations together. But after further research, I found the Latin term lapidare. It was also within a small ‘stone’s throw away’ (the next entries), that I found the words dilapidated and lapiz.
Our current post-Christian culture: We seem to be living in a world where activity, once considered sinful, becomes acceptable or even celebrated. This refers to abortion, relationships, and redefining marriage relationships. (Remember, Jesus came for sinners and told them to sin no more, not to normalize it).
WARNING — USELESS WORDS ALERT — (Far be it for me to throw stones, but I think these words are useless).
Lapidation: stone throwing (but not in glass houses)
Lapidator: one who throws stones (So now you can also be a lapidator in glass houses)
Lapidary: one who cuts, polishes or engraves gems and stones
Lapicide: a stonecutter (sounds more like killing someone by stone throwing)
Update: Election aftermath: The Trump campaign has every legal right to litigate their concerns in the court about this election process. However, critics continue to summarily dismiss and “throw stones” at the Trump legal team’s efforts.
To be honest, I have to say I was ‘thrown for a loop’ (astonished) that I found all these useful and useless words!