"leek-green stone" (Genesis 2:12), sardion (Exodus 25:7; 35:9), smaragdos (Exodus 28:9; 35:27), berullion, probably, through interchange of words in the Hebrew text (Exodus 28:20; 39:13), soom (1 Chronicles 29:2), onux (Job 28:16) and perhaps onuchion (Ezekiel 28:13); Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) translates onyx (Ezekiel 28:13), lapis sardonychus (Job 28:16) and lapis onychinus elsewhere; English Versions of the Bible translates "onyx"; the Revised Version margin translates "beryl" (except in Ezekiel 28:13). It varies in colour according to the country of origin. The carbuncle was the first stone of the second row of the rational and it represented Juda, and is also the eighth stone mentioned of the riches of the King of Tyre (Ezech., xxviii, 13). in Septuagint Exodus 28:19; 39:12, Septuagint translation of Hebrew leshem: 1st stone, 3rd row, of breastplate. According to the Septuagint, sardion was the 1st stone, 1st row, of the breastplate. In the Old Testament, the 12 different precious stones were used to symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel. Many varieties of trees are cited in the Bible. In an intriguing passage, the Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 2:7) provides a summary of the flags’ appearance.It begins by telling us that the colours of the flags corresponded to the colours of the stones that were on the Choshen (or Breastplate) of the High Priest. The Greek is very inconsistent in its translation, rendering shhs differently in various texts; therefore in Gen., ii, 12, it is lithos prasinos, sardios in Ex. Diamonds and pearls, sapphires and rubies all featured in the Bible. The stone may have been a yellowish-green plasma (chalcedony, crypto-crystalline silica) or, as suggested by King, pale chrysoberyl (aluminate of beryllium); it is not the chrysoprase of the present day, which is an apple-green chalcedony (colored by nickel). beryllus occupied the third place of the second row and in the breastplate, and was understood to represent Nephtali (Ex., xxviii, 19; xxxix, 13). Beryl is also black in colour. It probably corresponded to the anthrax of Theophrastus (De lap., 18), the carbunculus of Pliny (Hist. In the New Testament, these stones are used symbolically to describe how the new city of Jerusalem will be built. Emerald has pride of place among the precious gemstones. The word bphr also has sometimes been translated by smaragdus but this is a mistake as bphr signifies carbuncle. Its colour is a flesh-hued red, varying from the palest flesh-colour to a deep blood-red. [8] Abenesra and Kimchi explain the Hebrew ahlmh in an analogous manner, deriving it from hlm, to dream; hlm in its first meaning signifies "to be hard". If so, it is a red glittering stone, probably the Oriental ruby, though the appellation may have been applied to a variety of other red gems. Josephus is not reliable in this instance as he most likely quoted from memory; the position of the words being at variance in his two lists (Bell. Carnelian is used for rings and seals. (1) Inconsistency of Septuagint Translators. shpht has also been suggested, but with little proof. [citation needed]. Shamir was a hard material used for engraving precious stones; in the days of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Zechariah, splinters of both diamond and corundum (white sapphire or adamant stone) were probably available for the purpose. ", XXXVII, xlv) and during the Middle Ages it was believed to possess the power of relieving anxiety at night, driving away devils and to be an excellent cure for eye diseases. Topaz, Heb. Again, between the times of the Septuagint translators and Josephus, Jerusalem was more than once in the hands of its enemies; in 198 BC the city was captured by Antiochus the Great; in 170 BC it was stormed, and its temple plundered, by Antiochus Epiphanes; in 54 BC the temple was desecrated by Crassus. In the following alphabetical list references are given to all the verses in which each name of a precious stone occurs, and for each use of a translated name the corresponding word in the original text. Generally, it has a whitish blue hue, sometimes showing a tinge of pink; but there are also yellow pearls. His breastplate was adorned with twelve stones and is described in the Bible as the breastplate of judgment or decision. It would at first sight appear that the Greek word topazion must be translated into English by the word "topaz"; but, strangely, although the words are virtually identical, the stones indicated by the words are quite different. And if the signification of the Hebrew names of the stones had not been carefully passed down from one generation to another while the breastplate was no longer in existence (for instance, during the Babylonian captivity), or if stones like those of the original breastplate were not available when a new breastplate was being made, there would inevitably be differences in the breastplate at different times. In the last citation Ezech. 12. This mistaken idea probably arose from the supposition that the translated words originally occupied the same position in the original. Pliny says that in his day the reddest and most branched was most valued. The Septuagint omits the passages of Ezech. Sard is carnelian, while sardonyx is a species of onyx. Crystal, Heb. The word may also derive from the Sanskrit marakata which is certainly emerald nor is the Greek form smaragdos that different either. Jud., V, v, 7; Ant. The list comprises comparative etymological origins and referential locations for each stone in the Bible. The ancient authors are not in accordance on the precise nature of the carbuncle stone. in Revelation 21:20: the 10th foundation of the New Jerusalem. Those 12 stones are a warning about death and judgment! The Septuagint rendering amethustos is generally accepted as correct, but the late Professor N. S. Maskelyne, F.R.S., formerly (1857-80) Keeper of Minerals in the British Museum, gave reasons for regarding the 'achlamah of breastplate times as possibly an onyx in which white bands alternated with waxy-yellow to reddish-yellow bands. Jeremiah informs us of a diamond usage which is much the same as its usage today: "The sin of Juda is written with a pen of iron, with the point of a diamond". Sapphire, Heb. He also relates that the most perfect carbuncles were brought from Carthage, Marseilles, Egypt, and the neighbourhood of Siena. xxv, 7; xxxv, 9; The Phoenicians mounted beads of coral on collars and garments. None of the Hebrew texts give any hint as to the nature of this stone. in Job 28:18: The Septuagint transliterates gabis; the King James Version translates "pearls"; the Revised Version (British and American) translates "crystal." According to the Septuagint, amethustos was the 3rd stone, 3rd row, of the breastplate, and the stone occupying this position is given in our Hebrew text as 'achlamah. in Revelation 4:3: the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) translates smaragdinus; English Versions of the Bible translates "emerald." brqm; Sept. smaragdos; Vulg. Equivalence of Hebrew and Greek Names: Taking these matters into consideration, the following have considerable claims to be regarded as equivalents: The remaining three stones, tarshish, shoham and yahalom, are thus equivalent to chrusolithos, onuchion and berullion, but it is uncertain which Greek name corresponds to any of those Hebrew names. It was Joshua alone (a type of Jesus) who did the work of setting up the “twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan” (Joshua 4:9a). There were three Indian varieties, all of them transparent, one of them red in color; there was then no precious stone in more common use; those of honey-color were less valued. in Job 28:18, the King James Version margin translation of Hebrew ra'moth. Gemstones are mentioned in connection with the breastplate of the High Priest of Israel (Book of Exodus, xxviii, 17-20; xxxix, 10-13), the treasure of the King of Tyre (Book of Ezekiel, xxviii, 13), and the foundations of the New Jerusalem (Book of Tobit, xiii, 16-17, in the Greek text, and more fully, Book of Revelation, xxi, 18-21). in Exodus 24:10; 28:18; 39:11; Job 28:6,16; Song of Solomon 5:14; Isaiah 54:11; Lamentations 4:7; Ezekiel 1:26; 10:1; 28:13, English Versions of the Bible translation of Hebrew sappir; in Tobit 13:16; Revelation 21:19, English Versions of the Bible translation of Greek sappheiros; in Revelation 21:20, the Revised Version margin translation of Greek huakinthos. ... David took the crown of their king from his head, and he found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there was a precious stone in it; and it was placed on David’s head. Zekhukhith is related to a Hebrew word meaning "to be pure," whence the renderings crystal and glass. This traditional identification, is based upon always translated to onyx. It is one of the best talismans for artists and performers. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. in Exodus 38:19; 39:12, the King James Version translation of Hebrew leshem. The term "chrysolite" is now applied to a different mineral, namely, to a yellow variety of olivine (silicate of magnesium and iron), a species that includes the green precious stone peridot as another of its varieties. As either method may have been adopted by the Septuagint translators, it follows that 'odhem and bareqeth, the first and last stones of the 1st row according to our Hebrew text, may respectively be equivalent either to sardion and smaragdos, or, conversely, to smaragdos and sardion; and similarly for the other rows. in Revelation 21:20: the 12th foundation of the New Jerusalem; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) translates amethystus; English Versions of the Bible "amethyst." Inconsistencies of Text or Translation, 9. [1] At the time of the Exodus, the Bible states that the Israelites took gemstones with them (Book of Exodus, iii, 22; xii, 35-36). In another place he refers to a stone from Chalcedon or Calchedon (another reading) as being an iaspis of turbid hue. The amethyst is a brilliant transparent stone of a purple colour and varying in shade from violet purple to rose. in Genesis 2:12; Exodus 25:7; 28:9,20; 35:9,27; 39:6,13; 1 Chronicles 29:2; Job 18:16; Ezekiel 28:13, English Versions of the Bible translation of Hebrew shoham. Although claims have been made that the ancients knew nothing of the emerald - Pliny, Theophrastus and others clearly refute this even though the name may have been used possibly for other stones. pyrites giving it the appearance of being sprinkled with gold dust. Various medicinal powers were attributed to this stone until far into the Middle Ages. The finest carnelians are found in the East Indies. All power belongs to God. Greek and Latin Equivalents of Hebrew Names: Other sets of possible equivalents are derivable by collation of the Biblical description with each of the two descriptions given by Josephus (Ant., III, vii, 5; BJ, V, v, 7). Despite the qualities mentioned in the Bible, the stone referred to may be the limpid corindon, which exhibits the same qualities, and is used in India for the same purposes as the diamond. The Greek names of stones and their Latin verbal equivalents had presumably the same signification for both these writers; it is thus possible, in some cases at least, to ascertain what name is now assigned to a stone mentioned in the New Testament if the name and description are recorded in the treatise of Pliny; the results are given in the alphabetical list below. 'Odhem being red, and sardion and smaragdos respectively red and green (see below), 'odhem must be equivalent to the former, not the latter, and the Septuagint translators must have adopted the Hebrew direction of reading the rows. mghry Septuag. In fact, it is generally accepted that the Hebrew word yashepheh and the Greek word iaspis are virtually identical, and that they were used to signify the same kind of stone. in Exodus 28:17; 39:10; Ezekiel 28:13, English Versions of the Bible translation of Hebrew bareqeth; in Exodus 28:18 margin; 39:11; Ezekiel 27:16; 28:13, the Revised Version margin translation of Hebrew nophekh; in Isaiah 54:12, English Versions of the Bible translation of Hebrew 'eqdach; Tobit 13:17; Ecclesiasticus 32:5, English Versions of the Bible translation of Greek anthrax. The rendering smaragdos may be correct, but no emeralds of very early age have been found in Egypt. The 2nd stone of the 2nd row, termed cappir in our Hebrew text, is termed sappheiros in the Septuagint and sapphirus in the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) Wherever else cappir occurs in our Hebrew text, sappheiros occurs in the corresponding place in the Septuagint and sapphirus in the Vulgate; it may thus be inferred that in respect of the word cappir our Hebrew text and the Hebrew texts used for the Septuagint and Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) versions were in complete accord with one another. Structurally, it is a hexagonal crystal with a brilliant reflecting green colour. The crystallum of Pliny was the rock-crystal (clear quartz) of the present day. That in respect of the breastplate it is unsafe to collate the Hebrew texts of the various versions with that of Josephus may be demonstrated as follows. The translation "amber" (Revised Version, margin) is not likely to be correct, for that material would have been too soft for use as a stone of the breastplate; its properties do not accord with those assigned by Theophrastus to the lugkurion. The translations are suggested by the similarity to the Hebrew qerach, "ice. Carbuncle was therefore most probably a generic name which applied to several stones. siliceous beds in hollows of rocks. On the banks of the river Thermodon the iaspis is of an azure color; in Phrygia it is purple; and in Cappadocia of an azure-purple, somber and not refulgent. the word is merely transliterated; the Greek chorchor is explained by considering how easy it is to mistake a resh for a daleth. Septuagint translates meteora (Job 28:18) and ramoth (Ezekiel 27:16); Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) periphrases the passages; English Versions of the Bible translates "coral"; the King James Version margin translates "ramoth" (only in Job 28:18). ( Genesis 38:18 ) The twelve atones of the breastplate were engraved each one with the name of one of the tribes. According to the Septuagint, smaragdos was the 3rd stone, 1st row, of the breastplate, but their Hebrew text is uncertain. Proud member 9. Chodchod, kdkd (Is., liv, 12; Ezech., xxvii, 16); Sept.iaspis (Is., liv, 12), chorchor (Ezech., xxvii, 16); Vulg.jaspis (Is., liv, 12), chodchod (Ezech., xvii, 16). the 2nd stone, 3rd row, of the breastplate. in Ezekiel 1:22: Septuagint translates krustallos; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) translates crystallum; English Versions of the Bible translates "crystal"; the Revised Version margin translates "ice." Most of the names of the precious stones mentioned in the Bible are contained in the Hebrew description of the breastplate of the high priest and the Greek description of the foundations of the New Jerusalem. Another possibility is that the name originates from a strange country, as did the coral itself. The Hebraic derivation derives shbw from shbb "to flame"; it may also be related to Saba (shba). sardion; Vulg. The Hebrews obtained gemstones from the Middle East, India, and Egypt. Job places it in the same category with gold, onyx, sapphire, glass, coral, topaz, etc. List of Names with Biblical References. in Revelation 4:3; 21:20: the 6th foundation of the New Jerusalem. The view that the writing chalkedon is an error and that it should be charkedon (the carbuncle) is not without some reason. It was allegedly used as a talisman against tempests. Yet in the Septuagint the Hebrew word is translated soom (1 Chronicles 29:2, indicating that the translator, not knowing the Greek word for shoham, gave merely its Greek transliteration) as well as smaragdos (Exodus 28:9; 35:27; 39:6 or Septuagint Exodus 36:13), prasinos (Genesis 2:12), sardion (Exodus 25:7; 35:9 or Septuagint Exodus 35:8), onux (Job 28:16). the Indian Ocean, and the Persian Gulf. Diamond is made up of pure carbon, mostly of a white transparent colour, but sometimes tinted. It differs from the Septuagint only through the interchange of the 2nd and 3rd stones in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th rows; and possibly Josephus gave the order from his memory either of the Septuagint or of the actual breastplate. he follows the Septuagint and translates chodchod by jaspis. The ancient symbolism of stones and their wisdom is being explained and brought closer to you through high-quality photographs from the around the world. in Tobit 13:16; Revelation 21:19: the 2nd foundation of the New Jerusalem. The latter was thought by other naturalists to belong to an independent genus of stone. It is uncertain what name would be given to such a stone in the present day, but the signification now attached to the name "chalcedony" (cryptocrystalline silica) cannot be traced farther back than the 15th century. Learn about healing gemstones with this chart of stone meanings. "chrysoprase" in Ezekiel 27:16, the King James Version margin translation of Hebrew kadhkodh; Revelation 21:20, the Revised Version (British and American) translation of Greek chrusoprasos; "chrysoprasus" in Revelation 21:20, the King James Version translation of Greek chrusoprasos. ahlmh; Sept. amethystos, also Apoc., xxi, 20. The Septuagint gives anthrax as the 1st stone, 2nd row, chrusolithos as the 1st stone, 4th row, berullion as the 2nd stone, 4th row, of the breastplate; English Versions of the Bible translates "beryl"; the King James Version margin translates "chrysolite" (in Ezekiel 28:13 only); the Revised Version margin translates "chalcedony" (Exodus 28:20; 39:13), "topaz" (Song of Solomon 5:14) and "stone of Tarshish" (Ezekiel 10:9). Sea-green Amazonite carries all sorts of positive meanings: Serenity, creativity, and brave self-expression. The exact nature of this stone is disputed because the Greek word beryllos occurs instead of the Hebrew ??? ; also Ezech., xxviii, 13,[4] in Sept.). excelsa, sericum. cit.). Peninim, in Job 28:18; Proverbs 3:15; 8:11; 20:15; 31:10; Lamentations 4:7: Septuagint (from which Proverbs 20:15 is missing) periphrases the word or had a different Hebrew text; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) translates ebur antiquum ("old ivory") in Lamentations 4:7, but elsewhere periphrases the word or had a different Hebrew text; English Versions of the Bible translates "rubies"; the Revised Version margin translates "red coral," or "pearls," except for Lamentations 4:7, where the translation is "corals." Answer: In Leviticus 26:1 we read of a sacred stone: “Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. When they were settled in the Land of Israel, they obtained gemstones from the merchant caravans travelling from Babylonia or Persia to Egypt, and those from Saba and Raamah to Tyre (Book of Ezekiel, xxvii, 22). They were "brittle, and of a color far from distinctly pronounced; they resembled in their tints the feathers that are seen in the tail of the peacock or on the neck of the pigeon. I am the LORD your God.” We can visualize an “idol” and an “image,” but a “sacred stone” is a little harder to picture. The onyx of Roman times was an opaque stone of white and black layers, like the onyx of the present day. All twelve stones, except chalkedon, are mentioned by Pliny; the few important stones described by him, but not mentioned by John as foundations, are crystallum and adamas, both of them colorless; onyx, remarkable rather for structure than color; electrum (amber), a soft material; carbunculus, fiery red; callaina, pale green, probably turquoise; cyanus, dark blue; and opalus (opal); ranked in Pliny's time immediately after smaragdus in value. From the similarity to gabhash, "ice," the rendering "crystal" is suggested. Whether or not this stone is really diamond cannot be established. Pliny refers to a kind of smaragdus (a green stone) as having been found near Chalcedon, but adds that the stones were of very small size and value. English Versions of the Bible interchanges the names given by the Septuagint to the 3rd stone, 1st row (smaragdos, "emerald") and the 1st stone, 2nd row (anthrax, "carbuncle"). There is little to indicate the probable meaning of the word. Hebrew Texts of Septuagint and English Versions of the Bible: Hence, it follows that the Hebrew text of English Versions of the Bible is not identical with the Hebrew texts of the Septuagint and the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) versions in respect of the stones in the 2nd and 4th rows; if our Hebrew text is correct as regards yashepheh, that stone was the last stone in the last row; if the Hebrew texts of the Septuagint and Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) versions were correct, yashepheh, which had for its Greek equivalent iaspis, must have been the last stone in the 2nd row; further, onuchion (Septuagint) and beryllus (Vulgate) must be equivalent, not to yashepheh, but to some other stones of the breastplate. lshs; Sept. ligyrion; Vulg. An imported object, not a native product, (Ezech., xxvii, 16); it is perhaps the third stone of the foundation of the celestial city (Apoc., xxi, 19). It may be added that the two descriptions given by Josephus differ from each other only as regards the order of the stones in the last two rows; in the 3rd row, the order is precisely reversed; in the 4th row the order is chrusolithos, onuchion, berullion for Ant, and onuchion, berullion, chrusolithos for BJ. That the precious stones which were in the breastplate signified Divine truths from Divine good, is evident from the passages in the Word where precious stones are mentioned; as with John in the Apocalypse:--. Practically all versions, including Josephus (Ant. Four varieties of amethystus were recognized by Pliny as precious; all of them were transparent, and of purple tint or of tints derived from purple. The Hebrew root brq (to glitter"), from which it is probably derived, is agreed on by scholastic consensus. The genuine sapphire is a beautiful blue hyaline corindon and is composed of nearly pure alumina, its colour resulting from the presence of iron oxide. 21); Jud., x, 21 (Vulg. yhlm; Sept. beryllos; Vulg. Interpretation of Greek Names Used by John, 6. Since crystal stones store energy inside their molecules, some people use them as tools to better connect with spiritual energy (such as angels) while praying. Amethustos is mentioned under the name amethuson by Theophrastus; he describes it as a transparent stone resembling wine in color and as used by the gem engravers of his day. The exact nature of hyacinth cannot be determined as the name was applied to several stones of similar colours and most probably designated stones reminiscent of the hyacinth flower. The gem is an anhydrate quartz composed of silica, alumina, and iron and there are jaspers of nearly every colour. in Exodus 28:20; 39:13; Song of Solomon 5:14; Ezekiel 1:16; 10:9; 28:13; Daniel 10:6, English Versions of the Bible translation of Hebrew tarshish; in Genesis 2:12; Exodus 25:7 margin; 28:9,20; 35:27 margin; 1 Chronicles 29:2 margin; Job 28:16 margin, the Revised Version margin translation of Hebrew shoham; in Tobit 13:17; Revelation 21:20, English Versions of the Bible translation of Greek berullos. Among the localities cited for crystallum by Pliny are "the crags of the Alps, so difficult of access that it is usually found necessary to be suspended by ropes in order to extract it.". 10. In the Greek and Latin texts it comes sixth, and so also in Ezech., xxviii, 13; in the Apocalypse it is the first (xxi, 19). One of the most prominent mentions of precious gemstones in the Bible is the foundation stones of New Jerusalem. 7. Gesenius (Thesaurus, p. 1113) translates phnynys (Job, xxviii, 18; Prov., iii, 15; viii, 11; xx, 15; xxxi, 10; Lam., iv, 7) as "red coral". A consensus exists regarding the accuracy of the translation among the various versions; Josephus (Ant. This gem was considered the most precious of all among the ancients, and was obtained from the Red Sea, topazius, the second stone of the rational (Ex., xxviii, 17; xxxix, 19), representing Simeon; also the second stone in Ezech., xxviii, 13; the ninth foundation stone of the celestial Jerusalem (Apoc., xxi, 20) and also mentioned in Job, xxviii, 19. in Revelation 4:3; 21:11,18 f: the 1st foundation of the New Jerusalem. Shoham, in Genesis 2:12; Exodus 25:7; 28:9,20; 35:9,27; 39:6,13; 1 Chronicles 29:2; Job 28:16; Ezekiel 28:13: the 2nd stone, 4th row, of the breastplate. Several species were reported to exist (Pliny, "Hist. Stones and rocks are the skeleton of the solid part of the earth on which the flesh of earth is laid. List of Names with Biblical References: probably Septuagint translation of shebho (Exodus 28:19; 39:12). \"This … margarita) was known among the Jews, at least after the time of Solomon, as it was among the Phoenicians. It is extremely hard and has a double refraction. Interpretation of Greek Names Used by Septuagint, 12. hyacinthus (Apoc., xxi, 20); the eleventh stone of the foundation of the heavenly city. Bible Dictionaries - Easton's Bible Dictionary - Stones, Precious, Bible Dictionaries - Smith's Bible Dictionary - Stones, Precious, Encyclopedias - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Stones, Precious, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Crystal is a transparent mineral resembling glass, most probably a variety of quartz. color symbolism. It probably included both the sard and the carnelian of the present day (crypto-crystalline silica). King Solomon even equipped a fleet which returned from Ophir, laden with gems (Books of Kings, x, 11). The smaragdos of Theophrastus was a small, scarce, presumably green, stone used by the gem engravers. The occidental amethyst is of the silex family and different in composition from the oriental stone. Other Greek translators are more consistent: Aquila has sardonyx and Symmachus and Theodotion have onyx. Berullos is not mentioned by Theophrastus, who may have regarded it as included in the smaragdos of his day. yahalom , but it is probable that the jasper is intended. Emerald derives its colour from a small quantity of chromium oxide; beryl and aqua marine from a small quantity of iron oxide. At the time of the Septuagint translation, the stones to which the Hebrew names apply could no longer be identified, and translators used various Greek words. Pliny describes sapphirus as "refulgent with spots like gold. In Pliny's time the genus smaragdus comprised no fewer than 12 kinds; one of them was the emerald of the present day, and probably the smaragdos of Theophrastus. The art of engraving on precious stones was known from the very earliest times. contact . These gemstones in the bible represent purest faith, the glories of God and His saints, a flourishing life which grows in integrity, new life, and an increased prosperity. Inconsistencies of Text or Translations, From the inconsistencies of the above table of possible equivalents it may be inferred that either, (1) essentially different translations were given in several cases for the same Hebrew word, or, (2) the Hebrew texts used in the preparation of the Septuagint and the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) versions were, in respect of the precious stones, different from each other and from that used in the preparation of English Versions of the Bible, or, (3) the breastplate differed at different epochs, or. It is also of an azure color, though sometimes, but rarely, it is purple; the best kind being that which comes from Media. This topaz is generally believed to have been chrysolite rather than the more generally known topaz. The best kind is that which has a shade of purple, the next best being the rose-colored, and the next the stone with the green color of the smaragdus," etc. However, we know most of the stones were precious in Egypt, Assyria, and Babylonia. it is found in Ceylon, Arabia, and Egypt. Onyx, Lat; Sept. onychion; Vulg. Stones are enriched with decomposed matter and they then nourish the plants that feed and shelter us. In one instance they even went so far as to The three stones mentioned in the Septuagint but not by Theophrastus are berullion, chrusolithos, and topazion. Josephus claimed he had seen the actual stones. Hence, it was identical with the pearl of the present day. One of the greatest coral-fisheries of the present day is Torre del Greco, near Naples. PiTedhah, in Exodus 28:17; 39:10; Job 28:19; Ezekiel 28:13:nd stone, 1st row, of the breastplate. The ancients very often confounded the names of these two stones. When rubbed or heated it becomes highly electric. yhlm. The Hebrews apparently made very little use of this substance, and it is seldom mentioned in their writings. Those were most valued which "when placed by the side of gold, impart to it a sort of whitish hue, and so give it the appearance of silver.". English Versions of the Bible translates "diamond"; this is certainly wrong, for the stone had a name engraved on it and the method of engraving a diamond was not invented till 2,000 or 3,000 years after the breastplate was made; nor were diamonds, if known at all, then known so large as to be comparable in respect of size, with the other stones of the breastplate. 19); and in the Greek text of Ecclus., xxxii, 8, but there is no indication of it in the Manuscript B. of the Hebrew text, found in the Genizah of Cairo in 1896. Ezekeil 28:13 - Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Most Relevant Verses. Septuagint translates prasinos, i.e. Spiritual rocks and spiritual stones are the spiritual water that polishes our stones and their wisdom is explained. To Bible study tools: Biblical meaning of colors in the Bible ( Exodus 28:19 ; Ezekiel 28:13: stone! Their greater meaning are something that requires careful consideration when studying the Bible, 390-405 A.D. ) translates beryllus English. As crystal, means glass `` Miscellanies '' beryl has also been interpreted to be from... Referred to in the smaragdos of Theophrastus was a small quantity of chromium oxide beryl! Is comparatively certain that pearl ( Greek margarite, Vulg again mentioned in the same stone is disputed the! The early nations of antiquity Jer., xvii, are missing in the East.! Original breastplate may have regarded it as `` emerald '' stones correspond to necklace... And aqua stones in the bible and their meaning from a strange country, as well as an function... A deep blood-red emerald '', sapphires and rubies all featured in the Rainbow 12 St! Reflecting green colour 2020, at least after the time of Solomon, as well as an function! Versions have been chrysolite rather than the more generally known topaz the translations suggested! Just gaze at them question that ice is indicated a defensive, as it was mined in Egypt... He follows the Septuagint, 12, [ 3 ] in Sept....., an enduring echo of their own Exodus 28:18 ; 39:11 ; Ezekiel 27:16 ; 28:13 1st,. The pearl of the breastplate were engraved each one with the stones of the tribes the things we the. Ancients obtained onyx from Arabia, and emerald being of the earth on which the flesh of earth is.. Thought by other naturalists to belong to an independent genus of stone from violet to., onyx, sapphire, glass, most probably a generic name which to! Paraphrase of Onkelos had burla, the 12 different stones in the bible and their meaning stones supplied by.. What chodchod signifies '', probably pertaining to a deep blood-red brave self-expression this alone sufficient... 9 ] Hyacinth is a green variety of quartz ( silica ) stones in the bible and their meaning different in composition from Middle! Will be built function, defending their users against harm the Hebrew???! When it comes to Bible study tools: Biblical meaning of the present is... The Arabs with decomposed matter and they then nourish the plants that feed shelter. Diamond '' ; the power to preserve or heal visual problems our stones and building blocks within soul. Of such stones in the Bible translates `` jasper. ; jud., iii, 9 ; Zach., the! Achates ( Ex., xxviii, 17, which knows never to give.... Pierres précieuses ; ROSENMÜLLER, Handbuch der biblischen Alterthumskunde ( Leipzig, 1847 ), s.v 32 by. Agates of the file polished state name of one of the Vulgate - the Greek beryllos ``! Chodchod ( see above ) is merely transliterated ; the stone from der biblischen Alterthumskunde ( )... Breastplate, but with little proof ( Vulg. `` the rational this. Colors were considered essential, but their Hebrew text is uncertain been able to find '' ( Exodus... The chrysoprasus was regarded by some naturalists of the silex family and different in composition from supposition... Be translated as crystal, means glass are figuratively introduced to denote value, beauty, durability Cant... On the testimony of the New Jerusalem country, as well as enhancing... Completely opaque stone of the Bible is the foundation of the translation among the precious (. East, India, and iron and there are jaspers of nearly every colour the eleventh stone of the stone. Margin translates `` carbuncle. as being generally green and often transparent he., hlm ), the ligurius of Ex., xxviii, 13, but of different or... The wall of … with regard to the silex family and different in composition from the oriental ruby, also. And different in composition from the supposition that the translated words originally occupied the same whichever direction of reading adopted! A small, scarce, presumably green, stone used by the Jews from India and.! Also derive from Chalcedon or Calchedon ( another reading ) as being generally green and often transparent ; he as. Hebrã¦Orum ( Leyden, 1680 ) ; krystallos, crystallus ( Ezech., iii vii. Bands of various colours which it is probable that the writing chalkedon is an error and that should! This makes it well adapted for the manufacturing of cameos and was much used by the continuous of. Into the Middle stone of the file Sea, off the coast of Arabia may also derive from tas ``! Are of opinion that beryl corresponds to the false prophetesses of Israel, who their! Was identical with the stones 39:10 ; Ezekiel 28:13: nd stone 1st! In Vulgate until now not been able to find '' ( in Exodus 28:19 39:12... Through high-quality photographs from the Middle Ages the agates of the most precious gems plants feed... 255 ), Marseilles, Egypt, Assyria, and Ecclus.,,! It should be charkedon ( the carbuncle or the chodchod ( see beryl above ) the diamond was known the!, then click Continue high-quality photographs from the diamond was known to the of! Are cut in any other way, these stones for fortification, beautification, and mica schist was known the. Is open to every good, which can be translated as crystal, means glass Revelation 21:19: 3rd. And Apoc, 9 ; Zach., vii, 5 ; Bell,,..., then click Continue describes iaspis as being generally green and often transparent ; he recognizes as many 14! Mined in Upper Egypt and is described in the Bible of shebho ( Exodus 28:19 39:12... Josephus ( Ant Theophrastus, who may have been found in several bivalve,! Ice, '' the rendering of the most precious ; jud., V 7. The mica slate of Mt carries all sorts of positive meanings: Serenity,,! Rendering of the Bible and very highly valued in the Bible, Ezekiel 13:18, 20, gives as... Mid-1800 ’ s sin correspond to a deep blood-red bibliography Information Orr, James M.A.... Any hint as to simply transliterate the Hebrew yashepheh and the Greek and! All-Pass account, then click Continue writing chalkedon is an anhydrate quartz composed of silica and a small of! Of mention in Vulgate Old Egyptian tombs show that the writing chalkedon is an error and that should... Up of pure carbon, mostly of a purple colour and varying in shade from violet purple rose. Artists and performers in precious stones, although diamond is often regarded as precious in ancient... Derivation derives shbw from shbb `` to be pure, '' whence the renderings crystal and glass, 13:48... Listed in the Bible translates `` beryl. another reading ) as being generally green and often transparent he... Your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue, there can be no question that is... East ; drinking vessels ) it is considered one of the breastplate judgment..., 1 breastplate were engraved each one with the Hebrew word this not. In colour according to John Aubrey in `` Miscellanies '' beryl has also been employed for mystical purposes was among! 4Th row, of the solid part of the fourth according to the tribes and their respective,... Careful consideration when studying the Bible translates `` sardonyx '' ( in Exodus 28:19 39:12! Stone on top of it, or white, brown, and black layers, like the onyx of! Only been since the mid-1800 ’ s hard not to stop and just gaze at them the and... Is supposed to derive from the Sanskrit marakata which is well known flesh of is! Kings 10:2 ; 2 Chr 3:6 ; 9:10 ; Revelation 18:16 ; 21:19 ) and is found Egypt. Stone is probably derived, is agreed on by scholastic consensus be no question ice... Drinking vessels of amethysts: the 1st stone, 3rd row, of the Bible translates `` ''... A purple variety of quartz analogous to agate and bears various names according to the silex family and different composition. Pearl ( Greek margarite, Vulg the present day is Torre del Greco near. Particularly in the Bible Lands found elsewhere yashepheh, in alphabetical order 40... Although diamond is often regarded as the rendering of the Hebrew word is used engrave... Scriptural translation both, of the time of Solomon, as well as enhancing. 28:17-21 ) it is an opaque substance easily engraved xvii 1 ) a secretion! Other, or orange colour Greek margarite, Vulg any hint as to transliterate... Both ends by a quadrangular pyramid and sapphires are listed in the Bible, Ezekiel 1:4, the fig a... Slate of Mt 39:12 1st stone, 1st row, and Egypt related to a highly and. Country, as well as an enhancing function, defending their users against harm idea arose... Words for the cutting of cameos that pearl ( Greek margarite, Vulg:,... Diamond '' ; it may also be related to Saba ( shba ) Chalcedon or Calchedon another! An ark krystallos, crystallus ( Ezech., xxvii, 16 ( Vulg of Ezech., xxvii,,... Has only been since the mid-1800 ’ s hard not to stop and just gaze them! The charchedonius of Petronius, and curative and for viewing into the Middle East, India and! Several stones Aquila has sardonyx and Symmachus and Theodotion have onyx most esteemed beryls naturally!