Topical Encyclopedia
Amethyst is a precious stone mentioned in the Bible, known for its striking purple hue. It is a variety of quartz and has been highly valued throughout history for its beauty and supposed protective properties. In biblical times, amethyst was considered one of the most precious stones and was often associated with royalty and religious significance.
Biblical References:1.
Exodus 28:19 : The amethyst is listed as one of the stones set in the breastplate of the High Priest. The breastplate, also known as the Breastplate of Judgment, was an essential part of the High Priest's garments, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. The amethyst was the third stone in the third row: "The third row shall be a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst."
2.
Exodus 39:12 : This verse reiterates the placement of the amethyst in the High Priest's breastplate, emphasizing its importance in the religious attire: "The third row was a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst."
3.
Revelation 21:20 : In the vision of the New Jerusalem, the foundations of the city wall are adorned with various precious stones, including the amethyst: "the fifth foundation was made of onyx, the sixth of carnelian, the seventh of chrysolite, the eighth of beryl, the ninth of topaz, the tenth of chrysoprase, the eleventh of jacinth, and the twelfth of amethyst."
Symbolism and Significance:In biblical symbolism, the amethyst is often associated with qualities such as wisdom, clarity of thought, and spiritual insight. Its deep purple color has historically been linked to royalty and nobility, reflecting the stone's esteemed status. The inclusion of amethyst in the High Priest's breastplate signifies its importance in representing the tribes of Israel before God, highlighting its role in divine communication and judgment.
The mention of amethyst in the foundations of the New Jerusalem in Revelation underscores its enduring value and beauty in the eschatological vision of God's perfect kingdom. This imagery suggests that the amethyst, along with other precious stones, contributes to the splendor and glory of the heavenly city, symbolizing the eternal and unshakeable foundation of God's promises.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient cultures, amethyst was believed to have protective qualities, particularly against intoxication and overindulgence. The Greek word "amethystos" means "not intoxicated," reflecting the belief that the stone could prevent drunkenness. This cultural context may have influenced its symbolic use in the Bible, where it represents sobriety, purity, and spiritual focus.
Throughout history, amethyst has been used in various religious and royal artifacts, further cementing its status as a stone of significance and reverence. Its presence in biblical texts highlights its enduring value and the deep spiritual meanings attributed to it by the people of the time.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Amethyst(Heb.achlamah) a subspecies of quartz of a bluish-violet color. Mention is made of this precious stone, which formed the third in the third row of the high priestly breastplate, in (Exodus 28:19;39:12) It occurs also in (Revelation 21:20)
ATS Bible Dictionary
AmethystA precious stone of a violet blue color, verging towards a bluish or reddish white. It is seldom uniform in color, and is generally cloudy and spotted with zigzag stripes. The most beautiful specimens come from Ceylon, the East Indies, Siberia, and Saxony. It is very highly prized,Exodus 28:19;Revelation 21:20.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
One of the precious stones in the breastplate of the high priest (
Exodus 28:19;
39:12), and in the foundation of the New Jerusalem (
Revelation 21:20). The ancients thought that this stone had the power of dispelling drunkenness in all who wore or touched it, and hence its Greek name formed from a_, "privative," and _methuo, "to get drunk." Its Jewish name, ahlamah', was derived by the rabbins from the Hebrew word halam, "to dream," from its supposed power of causing the wearer to dream.
It is a pale-blue crystallized quartz, varying to a dark purple blue. It is found in Persia and India, also in different parts of Europe.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A variety of crystallized quartz, of a purple or bluish violet color, of different shades. It is much used as a jeweler's stone.
2. (n.) A purple color in a nobleman's escutcheon, or coat of arms.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AMETHYSTam'-e-thist. SeeSTONES, PRECIOUS.
Greek
271. amethustos --amethyst...amethyst. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: amethustos Phonetic Spelling:
(am-eth'-oos-tos) Short Definition:
amethyst Definition:
amethyst (a
...Strong's Hebrew
306. achlamah --amethyst... 305, 306. achlamah. 307 .
amethyst. Transliteration: achlamah Phonetic
Spelling: (akh-law'-maw) Short Definition:
amethyst. Word
...Library
Introduction.
... ligurius iii. ligure iii. jacinth or amber achates achates agate agate amethustos
amethystusamethyst amethyst iv. chrusolithos iv. chrysolitus iv. beryl iv....
All the Bells were Ringing the Angelus. ...
... Through the beautiful rose-window of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, he flashed his
parting rays, weaving bright patterns of ruby, gold andamethyst on the worn...
On Counter Promises.
... many precious stones, as jasper, and sapphire, and chalcedony, and emerald, and
sardonyx, and onyx, and chrysolite, and chrysoprase, and jacinth, andamethyst....
The New Jerusalem.
... a sardius; the seventh, a chrysolite; the eighth, a beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the
tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, anamethyst....
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... When I saw him, he was dressed with the utmost simplicity, with the exception of
a most splendidamethyst ring, the lustre of which was truly dazzling....
The Church Triumphant 512. For Thee, O Dear, Dear Country
... Unite in thee their rays; Thine ageless walls are bonded. Withamethyst unpriced;
The saints build up thy fabric,. And the corner-stone is Christ....
Classification.
... lovely than the striated crystals of the granite on which it grows, or the moss
on the mountain side more satisfying than the hiddenamethyst and cairngorm in...
The Last Smile of the Muse
... waters, and writhing above the crags which imprison them drifts athwart a sky sometimes
a little chill"Leonardo's pensive sky of shadowedamethyst"again of...
Striking Similes
... A soft and purple mist like a vaporousamethyst. A soft haze, like a fairy dream,
is floating over wood and stream.... Like a river of moltenamethyst....
Concerning the Garments of the Priests, and of the High Priest.
... sapphire. The first of the third row was a ligure, then anamethyst, and
the third an agate, being the ninth of the whole number....
Thesaurus
Amethyst (3 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
AMETHYST. am'-e-thist. See STONES, PRECIOUS.
Multi-Version Concordance
Amethyst (3 Occurrences).
...Jacinth (4 Occurrences)
... the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz;
the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth,amethyst....
Opal (2 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:19 and the third row, an opal, an agate, and anamethyst; (DBY YLT). Exodus
39:12 and the third row, an opal, an agate, and anamethyst; (DBY YLT)....
Ligure (2 Occurrences)
... Ligure (2 Occurrences). Exodus 28:19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an
amethyst.... Exodus 39:12 And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and anamethyst....
Row (26 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). Exodus 28:19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and anamethyst;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 28...
Agate (4 Occurrences)
... Agate (4 Occurrences). Exodus 28:19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and
anamethyst; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Precious (128 Occurrences)
... Septuagint translates amethustos; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 AD) translates
amethystus; English Versions of the Bible "amethyst." The Septuagint...
Stones (244 Occurrences)
... Septuagint translates amethustos; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 AD) translates
amethystus; English Versions of the Bible "amethyst." The Septuagint...
American
Ninth (35 Occurrences)
... the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz;
the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth,amethyst....
Resources
What does the Bible say about crystals? | GotQuestions.orgIs there any spiritual significance to birthstones? | GotQuestions.orgAmethyst: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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