Bible Dictionary
SPIRITUAL ROCK
The spiritual rock refers especially to Christ, whom Paul identifies with the rock that supplied water to Israel in the wilderness. It signifies God’s supernatural provision and Christ as the sustaining source of spiritual life.
Definition
A spiritual rock is a rock having spiritual significance and manifesting the power of the divine Spirit. The expression is applied allegorically to Christ as the fulfillment of the type of the rock in the wilderness from which water miraculously flowed.
Biblical Usage
Paul declares that the rock which supplied Israel was Christ. The image presents Christ as the source of supernatural provision and sustaining spiritual life, while Scripture also uses rock imagery of Yahweh and of Christ as the foundation of Christian confession.
Historical Background
A Jewish tradition described the wilderness rock as following Israel and supplying a living stream. The supplied material presents this tradition as background to Paul’s use of the rock as a symbol of Christ.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(pneumatike petra): Having a spiritual significance: supernatural, manifesting the power of the Divine Spirit; allegorically applied to Christ as fulfilling the type in the smitten rock in the desert, from which water miraculously burst forth to nourish the Israelites. A tradition current among the Jews affirms that this rock followed the people in their journeyings and gave forth a living stream for their supply. Paul made this ever-flowing rock a beautiful and accurate symbol of Christ: "The rock was Christ" (1Co 10:4).</p><p>Without the characterizing word "spiritual," this figurative term, with the same significance, is common to the Scriptures; applied</p><p>(1) to Yahweh, God: "Rock of his salvation," "their rock is not as our Rock" (De 32:15,31); "Yahweh is my rock" (Ps 18:2; compare Isa 26:4; 32:2; 1Sa 2:2; 2Sa 22:2);</p><p>(2) to the foundation-stone of Christian confession and testimony (Mt 16:18; compare Eph 2:20; 1Co 3:11; 1Pe 2:6-8), and thus to Christ Himself;</p><p>(3) in Christian hymnology to Jesus crucified and spear-pierced: "Rock of ages, cleft for me."</p><p>Dwight M. Pratt</p>