Emeralds are precious gemstones known for their rich green color and have been highly valued throughout history for their beauty and rarity. In the Bible, emeralds are mentioned in various contexts, often symbolizing beauty, wealth, and divine creation.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 28:17-20 · The High Priest's Breastplate: Emeralds are listed among the stones set in the breastplate of judgment worn by the High Priest. The breastplate contained twelve stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The inclusion of emeralds highlights their significance and value in the ancient world. The passage 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."

2. Ezekiel 28:13 · The King of Tyre: In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel describes the King of Tyre with imagery that includes precious stones, symbolizing his wealth and splendor. The text reads: "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."

3. Revelation 4:3 · The Throne of God: In the vision of the heavenly throne room, the Apostle John describes the appearance of God’s throne, using the imagery of precious stones to convey its glory and majesty. The verse states: "And the One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne."

4. Revelation 21:19 · The New Jerusalem: Emeralds are mentioned as part of the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem, symbolizing the eternal beauty and perfection of God's creation. The passage describes: "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."

Symbolism and Significance:

Emeralds in the Bible often symbolize beauty, prosperity, and divine favor. Their inclusion in the High Priest's breastplate and the foundations of the New Jerusalem underscores their importance in representing God's covenant with His people and the eternal nature of His promises. The vivid green color of emeralds is also associated with life, renewal, and growth, reflecting the themes of creation and restoration found throughout Scripture.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient times, emeralds were sourced from regions such as Egypt and the Near East, and they were prized by various cultures for their rarity and allure. The biblical references to emeralds reflect their status as a symbol of wealth and divine blessing. The use of emeralds in religious and royal adornments further emphasizes their esteemed place in biblical history.

Emeralds continue to be cherished today, not only for their beauty but also for their rich biblical heritage, reminding believers of the splendor and majesty of God's creation.5306. nophek -- (a precious stone) perhaps emerald
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition (a precious stone) perhaps emerald
NASB Word Usage emeralds (1), turquoise (3). emerald. ...
/hebrew/5306.htm - 6k

The Emperor and Empress
... the hall. They wore Sidonian war-cloaks so richly dight that there were
pearls on their girdles and emeralds in their helmets. [8 ...
/.../chapter xviii the emperor and.htm

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... The goddess wore a diadem in which were set six pearls, two emeralds, seven beryls,
one carbuncle, one hyacinthus, and two flint arrow-heads; also earrings ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm

The Story of a Cup of Water
... I want to make all these flowers and this music the setting of a truth, like
a diamond set round with emeralds, or an opal with pearls. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the story of a cup.htm

Rarity the Only Cause which Makes Such Things Valuable.
... Emeralds [121] lurk in their belts; and the sword (that hangs) below their bosom
alone is witness to the cylindrical stones that decorate its hilt; and the ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter vii rarity the only cause.htm

The Son of the Murket
... cords, girdling her beneath the breast, encompassing her again about the hips, and
fastened at last in front by a diamond-shaped buckle of clustered emeralds. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xvii the son of.htm

Ezekiel's Discourse
... Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of thy handyworks: they traded
for thy wares with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii ezekiels discourse.htm

The Church Triumphant 512. For Thee, O Dear, Dear Country
... Can sing thee as thou art. With jasper glow thy bulwarks,. Thy streets with emeralds
blaze; The sardius and the topaz. Unite in thee their rays; ...
/.../the church triumphant 512 for.htm

Seeking Jesus
... It is as if some vessel, full of precious stones, were thrown down before men, and
whilst they are racing after the diamonds, they lose the emeralds and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/seeking jesus.htm

Philip is Baptised
... John those last discourses of Christ, 'so rarely mixed of sadness and joy,
and studded with mysteries as with emeralds.' The words, '. ...
/.../chapter ix philip is baptised.htm

Letter cxxv. To Rusticus.
... pigments. Here are found rubies and emeralds, glowing pearls and gems of the
first water, such as high born ladies passionately desire. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxv to rusticus.htm

Emeralds (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Emeralds (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27:16 Syria was
your merchant by reason of the multitude of your handiworks ...
/e/emeralds.htm - 6k

Emerald (8 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:16 Syria was your merchant by reason of the multitude of your handiworks:
they traded for your wares with emeralds, purple, and embroidered work ...
/e/emerald.htm - 10k

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

Fairs (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:16 Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of
thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work ...
/f/fairs.htm - 9k

Fabric (8 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:16 Syria was your merchant by reason of the multitude of your handiworks:
they traded for your wares with emeralds, purple, and embroidered work ...
/f/fabric.htm - 9k

Traded (16 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:16 Syria was your merchant by reason of the multitude of your handiworks:
they traded for your wares with emeralds, purple, and embroidered work ...
/t/traded.htm - 11k

Turquoise (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:16 Syria was your merchant by reason of the multitude of your handiworks:
they traded for your wares with emeralds, purple, and embroidered work ...
/t/turquoise.htm - 8k

Rubies (8 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:16 Syria was your merchant by reason of the multitude of your handiworks:
they traded for your wares with emeralds, purple, and embroidered work ...
/r/rubies.htm - 8k

Exchanged (22 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 27:16 Syria was your merchant by reason of the multitude of your handiworks:
they traded for your wares with emeralds, purple, and embroidered work ...
/e/exchanged.htm - 12k

Emerge (2 Occurrences)

/e/emerge.htm - 7k

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