"Who built his house on the rock" (cf. Matt. 7:24)

Metaphors for Building in the Bible

Abstract

Basic biblical motifs often link important areas of life: the concrete, everyday use of certain words gives way to another, symbolic language. This study examines some biblical stories and concepts related to building for their possible symbolic value. A reference to the building of cities, houses, temples, or to the "building" of the human body or of communities is sufficient to recognise this fact. Jesus' saying about the house built on the rock will be examined more closely in order to give a hermeneutical application to our own lives through some very concrete examples.