Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, jewels are often mentioned as symbols of beauty, wealth, and divine favor. They are used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the cultural and spiritual significance of precious stones and ornaments in ancient times.
Old Testament ReferencesJewels are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often in relation to the adornment of individuals or sacred objects. In
Genesis 24:22, Abraham's servant gives Rebekah a gold nose ring and bracelets as a sign of her selection as Isaac's bride, indicating wealth and honor. Similarly, in
Exodus 28:17-20, the high priest's breastplate is described as being adorned with twelve precious stones, each representing one of the tribes of Israel. This use of jewels signifies the beauty and sanctity of the priestly garments.
The book of Proverbs also uses jewels metaphorically to convey wisdom and virtue.
Proverbs 3:15 states, "She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her," highlighting the incomparable value of wisdom. Similarly,
Proverbs 31:10 describes a virtuous woman as being "worth far more than rubies," emphasizing her worth and the esteem in which she is held.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, jewels are less frequently mentioned but still hold symbolic significance. In
Revelation 21:18-21, the New Jerusalem is described with foundations adorned with every kind of precious stone, and its gates are made of pearls. This imagery conveys the glory and splendor of the heavenly city, reflecting the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to His people.
Symbolism and Spiritual SignificanceJewels in the Bible often symbolize spiritual truths and divine attributes. They represent the beauty and value of God's creation, the richness of His blessings, and the honor bestowed upon His people. In
Isaiah 61:10, the prophet declares, "I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Here, jewels symbolize the joy and righteousness bestowed upon the faithful by God.
Furthermore, jewels are used to illustrate the transformation and refinement of believers.
Malachi 3:17 states, "They will be Mine," says the LORD of Hosts, "on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." The term "treasured possession" can be understood as God's people being likened to precious jewels, refined and cherished by Him.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern cultures, jewels were not only symbols of wealth and status but also served as amulets and talismans believed to offer protection and convey divine favor. The biblical use of jewels reflects these cultural practices while also elevating their significance to convey spiritual truths.
Overall, jewels in the Bible serve as powerful symbols of beauty, value, and divine favor, illustrating the richness of God's blessings and the honor of being His chosen people.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Jewel[STONES, PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An ornament of dress usually made of a precious metal, and having enamel or precious stones as a part of its design.
2. (n.) A precious stone; a gem.
3. (n.) An object regarded with special affection; a precious thing.
4. (n.) A bearing for a pivot a pivot in a watch, formed of a crystal or precious stone, as a ruby.
5. (v. t.) To dress, adorn, deck, or supply with jewels, as a dress, a sword hilt, or a watch; to bespangle, as with jewels.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JEWELju'-el, joo'-el: An ornament of gold, silver or of precious stones in the form of armlet, bracelet, anklet, nose-ring, etc. Oriental dress yields itself freely to such adornment, to which there are many allusions in Scripture. a frequent term in Hebrew is keli ("utensil," "vessel"), coupled with mention of "gold" or "silver" or both (Genesis 24:53Exodus 3:22;Exodus 11:2;Exodus 12:35;Exodus 35:221 Samuel 6:8, 15, etc.; the Revised Version (British and American) in2 Chronicles 32:27 translations "vessels"). InSongs 1:10, where the King James Version has "rows (of jewels)," the Revised Version (British and American) has "plaits (of hair)"; inSongs 7:1, the word is from a root chalah, meaning "to adorn." In 3 instances in the King James Version "jewel" represents the Hebrew nezem (Proverbs 11:22Isaiah 3:21Ezekiel 16:12); the American Standard Revised Version changesProverbs 11:22 to "ring" Septuagint here = "earring"), and both the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version have "ring" inEzekiel 16:12. The familiar phrase inMalachi 3:17, "in that day when I make up my jewels," becomes in the English Revised Version, "in the day that I do make, even a peculiar treasure" (margin "or, wherein I do make a peculiar treasure"), and in the American Standard Revised Version, "even mine own possession, in the day that I make" (margin "or, do this").
See , further, ORNAMENT; DRESS; STONES, PRECIOUS.
James Orr
Strong's Hebrew
2484. chelyah -- jewelry... Word Origin from the same as chali Definition jewelry NASB Word Usage jewelry (1).
jewel. Feminine of chaliy; a trinket --
jewel. see HEBREW chaliy.
...5141. nezem -- a ring (worn as an ornament)
... earring,jewel. From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a nose-ring -- earring,
jewel. 5140, 5141. nezem. 5142 . Strong's Numbers.
5459. segullah -- possession, property
...jewel, peculiar treasure, proper good, special. Feminine passive participle
of an unused root meaning to shut up; wealth (as closely...
2481. chali -- an ornament
...jewel, ornament. From chalah; a trinket (as polished) --jewel, ornament. see
HEBREW chalah. 2480, 2481. chali. 2482 . Strong's Numbers.
1925. heder -- an ornament, adornment, splendor
... 1924, 1925. heder. 1926 . an ornament, adornment, splendor. Transliteration:
heder Phonetic Spelling: (heh'-der) Short Definition:Jewel....
3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel
... yokes (1). armour bearer, artillery, bag, carriage, furnish, furniture,
instrument,jewel,. From kalah; something prepared, ie Any...
3558. kumaz -- (a golden ornament) perhaps a bracelet
... tablet. From an unused root meaning to store away; ajewel (probably gold beads) --
tablet. 3557, 3558. kumaz. 3559 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
What the Soul Ought to do in Internal Recollection.
... If aJewel given to a friend were once put into his hands, it is not necessary to
repeat such a donation already made, by daily telling him, (Sir, I give you...
"That which was from the Beginning, which we have Heard, which we...
... He had found ajewel, and he hides it not, but proclaims it, that all men may have
fellowship with him, and that is, with God, and that cannot but bring in...
Elucidations.
... The famous appeal of BishopJewel, known as "the Challenge at Paul's Cross," which
he made in a sermon preached there on Passion Sunday, ad1560, is an instance...
This ChapterSpeaks of the Manner in which God Communicates with...
... 1. Thejewel in the locket.2. The simile explained.3. The apparition explained.4.
Awe produced by this vision.5. False and genuine visions.6. Illusive visions.7...
Faith
... (4.) A true justifying faith, which is called A faith of the operation of God,'
and is ajewel hung only upon the elect. Colossians 2:22....
The Gift
... Love maketh thy steps to fly.". Lord, to Thee myjewel I bring,. Greater than mountains
high;... My Spirit's diadem to wear,. How is thyjewel named?"....
Worth of Beauty. September 23.
... old Hebrew Scriptures told them, that physical beauty is the deepest of all spiritual
symbols; and that though beauty without discretion be thejewel of gold...
The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... There is a richjewel in them, a precious pearl in that field, even Jesus Christ
and in him eternal life; and therefore we ought to search the scriptures for...
The Doctrinal Position of the Anglican Church and Her Relation to...
... BishopJewel, the final reviser of the Thirty-nine Articles, wrote to Peter Martyr
at Zurich (Feb.7, 1562): 'As to matters of doctrine, we have pared every...
A New Year's Benediction
... 1. Now the first sparklingjewel in this ring is perfection. The apostle
prays that God would make us perfect. Indeed, though this...
Thesaurus
Jewel (12 Occurrences)...JEWEL. ju'-el, joo'-el: An ornament of gold, silver or of precious stones in the
form of armlet, bracelet, anklet, nose-ring, etc.
...Jewel (12 Occurrences).
...Nosejewels
... noz-ju'-elz, -joo'-elz (nezem (probably from nazam, "muzzle") a "nose-ring," or
"nose-jewel," so rendered in Isaiah 3:21; "jewel in a swine's snout," Proverbs...
Nose-jewels (1 Occurrence)
... noz-ju'-elz, -joo'-elz (nezem (probably from nazam, "muzzle") a "nose-ring," or
"nose-jewel," so rendered in Isaiah 3:21; "jewel in a swine's snout," Proverbs...
Phylactery
... It may be rendered then as a mark or ornament orjewel, and used figuratively of
Yahweh's Law as an ornament orjewel to the forehead of the Israelite, a...
Jewels (54 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:21 The jewels are to be twelve in number, for the names of the children
of Israel; everyjewel having the name of one of the twelve tribes cut on it...
Forehead (23 Occurrences)
... The "jewel on thy forehead" mentioned in Ezek. 16:12 (RV, "a ring upon thy nose")
was in all probability the "nose-ring" (Isaiah 3:21). In Ezek....
Quest (2 Occurrences)
... Quest (2 Occurrences). Matthew 13:45 "Again the Kingdom of the Heavens is like
ajewel merchant who is in quest of choice pearls. (WEY)....
Jeweler (1 Occurrence)
Gem (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A precious stone of any kind, as the ruby, emerald, topaz, sapphire, beryl,
spinel, etc., especially when cut and polished for ornament; ajewel....
Rare (8 Occurrences)
... frequent. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 20:15 There is gold and abundance of rubies;
but the lips of knowledge are a rarejewel. (WEB NIV)....
Resources
What will be the purpose of the walls around the New Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.orgWas Satan in charge of music in Heaven? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Catherine of Siena? | GotQuestions.orgJewel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
