Corner

Corner in Scripture carries both literal architectural meaning and extensive figurative and theological significance. Literally, corners defined the angles of buildings (Job 1:19) and streets (Proverbs 7:8), and the corners of fields were to be left unharvested for the poor and the stranger (Leviticus 19:9; 23:22) — a provision for gleaning that Ruth exercised at Boaz's field. The Israelites were prohibited from cutting the corners of their beards (Leviticus 19:27), likely a practice associated with mourning or pagan rites.

The most theologically significant use is the cornerstone or head of the corner (Hebrew rosh pinnah). Psalm 118:22 — the stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner — is quoted by Jesus as fulfilled in himself (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17) and cited by Peter before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:11) and in his first epistle (1 Peter 2:7). Isaiah 28:16 prophesies God's laying of a tested, precious cornerstone in Zion, which Paul and Peter apply to Christ as the foundation of God's new temple composed of living stones.