Topical Encyclopedia
Sardius, also known as carnelian, is a precious stone mentioned several times in the Bible, primarily in the context of the High Priest's breastplate and the description of the New Jerusalem. This gemstone is characterized by its deep red to reddish-brown color, which has made it a symbol of beauty and significance throughout biblical history.
Biblical References:1.
High Priest's Breastplate: The sardius is first mentioned in the Book of Exodus as one of the stones set in the breastplate of judgment worn by the High Priest. In
Exodus 28:17 , it is written, "And mount on it a setting of stones—four rows of stones: The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald." This breastplate, also known as the "breastplate of decision," was worn by Aaron, the brother of Moses, and was used to discern God's will for the Israelites. The sardius, being the first stone listed, held a place of prominence and was associated with the tribe of Reuben, Jacob's firstborn son.
2.
Ezekiel's Vision: In
Ezekiel 28:13 , the sardius is mentioned in a description of the King of Tyre, which is often interpreted as a reference to the splendor and beauty of the Garden of Eden: "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." Here, the sardius is translated as "ruby" in the BSB, highlighting its rich, red hue.
3.
The New Jerusalem: The Book of Revelation provides a vivid description of the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city that descends from God. In
Revelation 21:20 , the sardius is listed as one of the foundation stones of the city: "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." The sardius, translated here as "carnelian," signifies the enduring beauty and glory of God's eternal kingdom.
Symbolism and Significance:The sardius, with its striking red color, is often associated with themes of sacrifice, redemption, and divine love. Its placement on the High Priest's breastplate signifies its role in the mediation between God and His people, while its inclusion in the New Jerusalem underscores the eternal beauty and perfection of God's creation. The stone's fiery appearance can also symbolize the fervent love and passion of Christ for His Church, as well as the blood of martyrs who have borne witness to the faith.
Throughout biblical history, the sardius has been a symbol of God's covenant with His people, representing both the beauty of creation and the depth of divine love. Its presence in key biblical passages highlights its importance in the spiritual narrative of redemption and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
ATS Bible Dictionary
SardiusOrSARDINE, a species of precious stone of a blood red, or sometimes of a flesh-color. It is more commonly known by the name of carnelian,Exodus 28:17Revelation 4:3.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) A precious stone, probably a carnelian, one of which was set in Aaron's breastplate.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SARDIN(E); SARDIUSsar'-din, sar'-din.
SeeSTONES, PRECIOUS.
SARDIUS
sar'-di-us.
SeeSTONES, PRECIOUS.
Greek
4556. sardion -- sard, a sardian (stone)... precious stone. Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition sard, a sardian
(stone) NASB Word Usage
sardius (2).
sardius. Properly, an
...Strong's Hebrew
124. odem -- a carnelian...sardius. From 'adam; redness, ie The ruby, garnet, or some other red gem --
sardius.
see HEBREW 'adam. 123, 124. odem. 125 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Introduction.
... For these are the precious stones"sardius, jasper, smaragd, chrysolite, and the
rest,"woven into the robe of holy Aaron, [1904] even of him who bears the...
Index of Tunes.
... xiii ANVERN, 520 ARABIA, 388 ARIEL, 137 ARLINGTON, 107, 118, 515 ATHENS, 227, 307
AUDIENTES, 303 AULD LANG SYNE, 515 AURELIA, 177 AUTUMN, (Sardius), 222 AZMON...
The New Jerusalem.
... first foundation was a jasper; the second, a sapphire; the third, a chalcedony;
the fourth, an emerald; the fifth, a sardonyx; the sixth, asardius; the seventh...
Another Cavil Met, IE , the Devil who Instigated Man to Sin...
... "Every precious stone was thy covering, thesardius, the topaz, and the diamond,
the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the...
Of the Fall of the Devil and the Angels.
... Thou wast in the pleasures of the paradise of God: every precious stone was thy
covering: thesardius, the topaz and the jasper, the chrysolyte and the onyx...
The Church Triumphant 512. For Thee, O Dear, Dear Country
... With jasper glow thy bulwarks,. Thy streets with emeralds blaze; Thesardius and
the topaz. Unite in thee their rays; Thine ageless walls are bonded....
Sunday-School Hymns.
... [Footnote 28: The tune was evidently reduced from the still older "Sardius"
(or "Autumn")"Hubert P. Main.]. "O DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED."....
The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... 3. And He that sat was, in appearance like to a jasper stone and asardius; and
there was a rainbow round about the throne, " like, in appearance, to an...
Hymns of Suffering and Trust.
... If "Sardius," the splendid old choral (triple time) everywhere identified with the
hymn, be not its original music, its age at least entitles it to its high...
A Description of the Temple.
... of the tribes of that nation engraved upon them: on the other part there hung twelve
stones, three in a row one way, and four in the other; asardius, a topaz...
Thesaurus
Sardius (5 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SARDIN(E);
SARDIUS. sar'-din, sar'-din. See
STONES, PRECIOUS.
SARDIUS. sar'-di-us. See STONES, PRECIOUS.
...Carnelian (5 Occurrences)
... Carnelian (5 Occurrences). Revelation 4:3 that looked like a jasper stone and a
sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at....
Sardine (1 Occurrence)
... Sardine stone. (Revelation 4:3, RV, "sardius;" Hebrews `odhem; LXX., Gr.... It
was called "sardius" because obtained from Sardis in Lydia....
Carbuncle (6 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones:
the first row shall be asardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be...
Smaragd (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a
row ofsardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; (See JPS)....
Ninth (35 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth,sardius; the seventh, chrysolite;
the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh...
Onyx (16 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth,sardius; the seventh, chrysolite;
the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh...
Jacinth (4 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth,sardius; the seventh, chrysolite;
the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh...
Jasper (8 Occurrences)
... Jasper (8 Occurrences). Revelation 4:3 that looked like a jasper stone and asardius.
There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at....
Fifth (65 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth,sardius; the seventh, chrysolite;
the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh...
Resources
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