FIGURED STONE. RSV tr. for two related Heb. expressions. From contextual usage, the expressions prob. refer to religious images carved in relief on flat surfaces. “Figured stone” was proscribed along with other pagan cult objects (Lev 26:1; אֶ֣בֶן מַשְׂכִּ֗ית ; KJV “image of stone”). “Figured stones” (Num 33:52 RSV; מַשְׂכִּיּﯴת ; KJV “pictures”), together with molten images and high places were to be destroyed. In Ezekiel 8:12, the figures (Heb. מַשְׂכִּית, H5381; RSV “pictures,” KJV “imagery”) clearly are “portrayed” on walls (cf. Ezek 8:10; note: the word here tr. “portray” means “to carve” in 1 Kings 6:35). Their idolatrous significance is graphically pictured.

Such contexts recall numerous religiousmagical relief figures on walls of Egyp. tombs and temples, Babylonian boundary markers with reliefs of protective deities and their symbols, and most specifically, the N Syrian practice of carving mythological scenes on upright stone slabs.

In Proverbs 25:11, מַשְׂכִּית, H5381, (RSV “setting,” KJV “pictures”) may refer to gold inlay in silver carved work. Psalm 73:7 (RSV “follies”) and Proverbs 18:11 (RSV footnote “imagination”) use the same root, but its meaning in these vv. is difficult to discern.

Bibliography W. F. Albright, Archeology and the Religion of Israel (1941), 160.