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Two words are principally employed for this word. One is sela, 'an elevation of strength, immovable': used symbolically for Jehovah as the rock of His people: "Jehovah is my rock and my fortress." Ps. 18: 2. He hath "set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." Ps. 40: 2.
The other word is tsur, a rock, generally sharp and precipitous, 'a place of shelter and security': "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I"; Thou art "my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation." "My God is the rock of my refuge." Ps. 61: 2; Ps. 89: 26; Ps. 94: 22.
In the N.T. any one who heard and did the sayings of the Lord is compared to a man who built his house upon the rock which nothing could shake. Matt. 7: 24, 25; Luke 6: 48. The Lord said, "Thou art Peter [πέτρος], and upon this rock [πέτρα] I will build my church." The church is being built upon what Peter confessed, Christ Himself, the Son of the living God. Matt. 16: 16-18: cf. 1 Cor. 3: 11;
1 Cor. 10: 4.