The meaning of “סֶלַע”
Understanding çelaʻ reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
(ragged) rock, stone(-ny), strong hold. - a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress) 1) crag, cliff, rock 1a)...
סֶלַע
(ragged) rock, stone(-ny), strong hold. - a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress) 1) crag, cliff, rock 1a) crag, cliff 1b) as stronghold of Jehovah, of security (fig.)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Numbers 20:11 | “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.” Word: סֶלַע (çelaʻ) | |
| 1 Samuel 14:4 | “And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.” Word: סֶלַע (çelaʻ) | |
| 2 Chronicles 25:12 | “And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.” Word: סֶלַע (çelaʻ) | |
| Psalms 71:3 | “Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.” Word: סֶלַע (çelaʻ) | |
| Isaiah 32:2 | “And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” Word: סֶלַע (çelaʻ) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Rock
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Rock, cliff, fortress
The Hebrew tsur (צוּר) means rock—a title for God emphasizing stability and protection. 'He is the Rock, his work is perfect' (Deuteronomy 32:4). Moses struck the rock and water flowed (Exodus 17:6).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Rock, bedrock
The Greek petra (πέτρα) means rock or bedrock—a solid foundation. Christ is the rock upon which the church is built (Matthew 16:18), and 'that Rock was Christ' (1 Corinthians 10:4).