Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Description:Emerald is a precious gemstone known for its rich green color. In biblical times, it was highly valued and often associated with beauty, wealth, and divine splendor. The emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl and owes its green color to trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium.
Biblical References:Emeralds are mentioned several times in the Bible, often in contexts that highlight their beauty and value. In the Old Testament, emeralds are listed among the precious stones used in the construction of sacred objects and garments.
1.
High Priest's Breastplate: The emerald is one of the stones set in the breastplate of the High Priest. This breastplate, also known as the "Breastplate of Judgment," contained twelve stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In
Exodus 28:17-20, the Berean Standard Bible states:
"And mount on it a setting of gemstones—four rows of stones: The first row shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald; the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row shall be a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; the fourth row shall be a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Mount these stones in gold filigree settings."
2.
King of Tyre: In
Ezekiel 28:13, the prophet Ezekiel describes the King of Tyre with imagery that includes precious stones, symbolizing his wealth and beauty:
"You were in Eden, the garden of God; every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond; beryl, onyx, and jasper; sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation."
3.
New Jerusalem: In the New Testament, the Book of Revelation describes the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city, adorned with precious stones, including emeralds.
Revelation 21:19-20 states:
"The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst."
Symbolism and Significance:Emeralds in the Bible are often associated with divine beauty and the glory of God's creation. Their inclusion in the High Priest's breastplate signifies their importance in religious rituals and their representation of the tribes of Israel. The use of emeralds in the description of the New Jerusalem underscores the splendor and perfection of the heavenly realm.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient cultures, emeralds were prized for their beauty and were believed to have protective and healing properties. They were often used in jewelry and as talismans. The biblical references to emeralds reflect their status as symbols of wealth and divine favor.
Theological Implications:The presence of emeralds in biblical texts can be seen as a reflection of God's majesty and the beauty of His creation. The use of such precious stones in sacred contexts emphasizes the value and reverence attributed to divine worship and the representation of God's people.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Emeralda precious stone of a rich green color, upon which its value chiefly depends. This gem was the first in the second row on the breastplate of the high priest. (Exodus 28:18;39:11) It was imported to Tyre from Syria, (Ezekiel 27:16) was used as a seal or signet, Ecclus. 32:6, as an ornament of clothing and bedding, (Ezekiel 28:13;Judges 10:21) and is spoken of as one of the foundations of Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:19) Tob. 13:16. The rainbow around the throne is compared to emerald in (Revelation 4:3)
ATS Bible Dictionary
EmeraldA precious stone of a fine green color, found anciently in Ethiopia, but in modern times only in South America,Exodus 28:18;Ezekiel 27:16; 28:13. Josephus, however, and the Seventy make it a gem like a burning coal-the Indian ruby.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hebrews nophek (
Exodus 28:18;
39:11); i.e., the "glowing stone", probably the carbuncle, a precious stone in the breastplate of the high priest. It is mentioned (
Revelation 21:19) as one of the foundations of the New Jerusalem. The name given to this stone in the New Testament Greek is smaragdos, which means "live coal."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A precious stone of a rich green color, a variety of beryl. See Beryl.
2. (n.) A kind of type, in size between minion and nonpareil. It is used by English printers.
3. (a.) of a rich green color, like that of the emerald.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EMERALDem'-er-ald.
SeeSTONES, PRECIOUS.
Greek
4664. smaragdinos -- ofemerald,emerald green... of
emerald,
emerald green. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: smaragdinos
Phonetic Spelling: (smar-ag'-dee-nos) Short Definition: made of
emerald...4665. smaragdos -- anemerald
... anemerald. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: smaragdos Phonetic
Spelling: (smar'-ag-dos) Short Definition: anemerald Definition: anemerald....
Strong's Hebrew
1304b. bareqath -- anemerald... bareqath. 1305 . an
emerald. Transliteration: bareqath Short Definition:
emerald.
Word Origin from baraq Definition an
emerald NASB Word Usage
emerald (1).
...5306. nophek -- (a precious stone) perhapsemerald
... 5305, 5306. nophek. 5307 . (a precious stone) perhapsemerald. Transliteration:
nophek Phonetic Spelling: (no'-fek) Short Definition: turquoise....emerald....
1304a. bareqeth -- anemerald
... bareqeth. 1304b . anemerald. Transliteration: bareqeth Short Definition:emerald.
Word Origin from baraq Definition anemerald NASB Word Usageemerald (2)....
1304. bareqeth -- anemerald
... 1303, 1304. bareqeth. 1304a . anemerald. Transliteration: bareqeth Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-reh'-keth) Short Definition: carbuncle. carbuncle...
Library
Introduction.
... topaz smaragdos smaragdus. carbuncle carbuncle oremerald ii. anthrax
ii. carbunculus ii.emerald ii.emerald or carbuncle...
An Advance Step in the Royal Programme
... And this rainbow is all of one colour, a clear, softemerald-green.... The rainbow round
about the throne looked like a quiet, quietingemerald-green....
Christ the Redeemer
... For holiness and undefiledness it is compared to pure gold, and to the
sapphire andemerald. Revelation 21:19. The sapphire has...
The Best Beloved
... Each gem has its own radiance: the diamond is not like the ruby, nor the ruby like
theemerald; but Christ is that ring in which you have sapphire, ruby...
The Way to the Sea
... Going into his patrimony of jewels sewn in his belt, he took anemerald,
and putting it in the hands, crossed them above the breast....
Brother Hugh
... offices. All these the novice took with gusto, safe hidden from the flash
ofemerald eyes and the witchery of hypergeometrical noses....
Lorimer -- the Fall of Satan
... Scriptures obscurely hint at a catastrophe in heaven among immortal intelligences,
by which many of them were smitten down from their radiantemerald thrones....
The Beauty and Glory of the Risen Body.
... thimbleful of coal-dust! Again, what are other gems, such as the ruby, the sapphire,
the topaz, theemerald, and others? They are nothing...
Dawn in the Hills
... All about it flourished the young growth of the rough sedge grass, green asemerald.
The spot was treeless and marked with broad low hummocks of new sod....
The Master.
... The gay flowers andemerald sod which carpet the grave are poor mockeries to the
bereft spirit, shrouding, as they do, nobler withered blossoms which the foot...
Thesaurus
Emerald (8 Occurrences)... It is used by English printers. 3. (a.) of a rich green color, like that of the
emerald. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
EMERALD. em'-er-ald.
...Sapphire (11 Occurrences)
... The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the
fourth,emerald; (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Jasper (8 Occurrences)
... Jasper (8 Occurrences). Revelation 4:3 that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius.
There was a rainbow around the throne, like anemerald to look at....
Turquoise (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Turquoise (5 Occurrences). Exodus 28:18 and the second
row a turquoise, a sapphire, and anemerald; (WEB NAS NIV)....
Diamond (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:18 And the second row shall be anemerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.... Exodus
39:11 And the second row, anemerald, a sapphire, and a diamond....
Chrysolite (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:17 And on it you are to put four lines of jewels; the first line
is to be a cornelian, a chrysolite, and anemerald; (BBE)....
Carnelian (5 Occurrences)
... Revelation 4:3 that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow
around the throne, like anemerald to look at. (See RSV NIV)....
Onyx (16 Occurrences)
... It was found in the land of Havilah (Genesis 2:12). The LXX. translates the Hebrew
word by smaragdos, anemerald. Some think that the sardonyx is meant....
Lines (42 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:17 And on it you are to put four lines of jewels; the first line
is to be a cornelian, a chrysolite, and anemerald; (BBE)....
Row (26 Occurrences)
... NIV). Exodus 28:18 and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and anemerald;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 28...
Resources
What does the Bible say about crystals? | GotQuestions.orgWill we be able to see all three members of the Trinity in Heaven? | GotQuestions.orgIs there any spiritual significance to birthstones? | GotQuestions.orgEmerald: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
