Carbuncles are mentioned in the Bible as precious stones, often associated with beauty, wealth, and divine splendor. The term "carbuncle" is derived from the Latin word "carbunculus," meaning "small coal," due to its deep red color resembling a glowing ember. In biblical times, carbuncles were highly valued and considered a symbol of prosperity and divine favor.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 54:12 : "I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones." In this passage, the prophet Isaiah speaks of the future glory and restoration of Jerusalem. The use of carbuncles, translated here as "rubies," signifies the beauty and strength of the renewed city, reflecting God's promise of blessing and protection.

2. Ezekiel 28:13 : "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 you were created." This verse describes the splendor of the King of Tyre, using the imagery of Eden and precious stones, including carbuncles, to illustrate the king's former glory and the divine craftsmanship bestowed upon him.

3. Exodus 28:17-20 : The breastplate of judgment worn by the High Priest contained twelve stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. While the specific mention of carbuncles is debated among translations, the inclusion of various precious stones highlights the significance of beauty and divine order in the priestly garments.

Symbolism and Significance:

In the biblical context, carbuncles symbolize divine beauty, wealth, and the glory of God's creation. They are often associated with the presence of God and His covenantal promises. The use of carbuncles in descriptions of sacred spaces and garments underscores the importance of holiness and the divine nature of God's relationship with His people.

The imagery of carbuncles in prophetic literature, such as in Isaiah and Ezekiel, serves to convey messages of hope, restoration, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. The precious stones are a reminder of the eternal value and beauty found in God's promises and the future He has prepared for His people.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient times, carbuncles were highly prized for their rarity and beauty. They were often used in jewelry and royal adornments, signifying status and wealth. The deep red color of the carbuncle was associated with life, vitality, and protection, making it a fitting symbol in biblical narratives.

The mention of carbuncles in the Bible reflects the broader ancient Near Eastern appreciation for precious stones and their symbolic meanings. These stones were not only valued for their aesthetic qualities but also for their perceived spiritual and protective properties.

Conclusion:

Carbuncles, as depicted in the Bible, serve as a powerful symbol of divine beauty, wealth, and the promises of God. Their inclusion in biblical texts highlights the importance of holiness, divine favor, and the ultimate restoration of God's people. Through the imagery of carbuncles, the Bible communicates themes of hope, redemption, and the eternal glory of God's kingdom.

There Are, Then, among the Righteous Some who are Carbuncles...
... Chapter XX. There are, then, among the righteous some who are carbuncles?
There are, then, among the righteous some who are carbuncles ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xx there are then.htm

A Digression Upon the Imperfection of the virtues of the Pagans.
... Carbuncles and rubies are called by the Greeks two contrary names, for they name
them pyropos and apyropos: that is, fiery and fireless, or inflamed and ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x a digression upon.htm

Visions of Future Glory
... And lay thy foundations with sapphires. "And I will make thy windows of agates.
And thy gates of carbuncles,. And all thy borders of pleasant stones. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 60 visions of future.htm

Anon.
... Exceeding rich and rare. Thy turrets and thy pinnacles. With carbuncles do shine;
Thy very streets are paved with gold,. Surpassing clear and fine. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/xvi anon.htm

And If, Further, Temples are to be Compared with Temples...
... And there is a similar hidden allusion in this passage in Isaiah, which is addressed
to Jerusalem: "Behold, I will lay thy stones with carbuncles, and lay thy ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xix and if further.htm

The New Jerusalem.
... with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of
carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the new jerusalem.htm

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ...
... Lo her foundations laid with sapphires are; Her goodly windows made of agates fair,
Her gates are carbuncles, or pearls; nor one Of all her borders but's a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse of the building.htm

The Charm
... He looked the image of a drunkard; his face was covered with carbuncles,
and his breath impregnated with the fumes of strong waters. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/borrow/letters of george borrow/the charm.htm

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... necklaces with gems; nine ear-rings with gems; two nauplia [rare shells from the
Propontis]; a crown with twenty-one topazes and eighty carbuncles; a railing ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm

The Mystic Meaning of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture.
... world of sense. The seven planets are represented by the five stones and
the two carbuncles, for Saturn and the Moon. The former ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the mystic meaning of.htm

Carbuncles (2 Occurrences)
...Carbuncles (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 54:12 And I will make thy windows of agates,
and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. ...
/c/carbuncles.htm - 7k

Carbuncle (6 Occurrences)
... JPS). Isaiah 54:12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of
carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. (Root ...
/c/carbuncle.htm - 10k

Windows (27 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 54:12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles,
and all thy borders of pleasant stones. (KJV WBS). ...
/w/windows.htm - 15k

Trafficked (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:16 Aram was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of thy wealth; they
traded for thy wares with carbuncles, purple, and richly woven work, and ...
/t/trafficked.htm - 8k

Markets (11 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:16 Syria dealt with thee for the multitude of thy handiworks: they traded
in thy markets with carbuncles, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen ...
/m/markets.htm - 9k

Battlements (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV). Isaiah 54:12 and I will make thy battlements of rubies, and thy gates
of carbuncles, and all thy borders of precious stones. (DBY NAS NIV). ...
/b/battlements.htm - 8k

Crystal (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 54:12 I will make your towers of rubies, and your doors of carbuncles, and
the wall round you will be of all sorts of beautiful stones. (See NAS). ...
/c/crystal.htm - 11k

Corals (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:16 Syria dealt with thee for the multitude of thy handiworks: they traded
in thy markets with carbuncles, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen ...
/c/corals.htm - 7k

Coral (3 Occurrences)
... In Ezekiel 27:16, ra'moth occurs with nophekh, "emeralds" (the Revised Version,
margin "carbuncles"); 'argaman, "purple"; riqmah, "broidered work"; buts, "fine ...
/c/coral.htm - 12k

Carcas (1 Occurrence)

/c/carcas.htm - 7k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus