In the biblical context, the term "gem" refers to precious stones that are often mentioned in the Scriptures for their beauty, value, and symbolic significance. Gems are frequently associated with wealth, divine craftsmanship, and spiritual truths. They are used in various contexts, including the adornment of sacred objects, the description of heavenly visions, and as metaphors for spiritual qualities.

Old Testament References

Gems are prominently featured in the Old Testament, particularly in the construction of the Tabernacle and the garments of the High Priest. In Exodus 28:17-20 , the breastpiece of judgment worn by the High Priest is described as being adorned with twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel:

"You are to 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; and the fourth row shall be a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They are to be mounted in gold filigree settings."

These stones not only served a decorative purpose but also held deep spiritual significance, symbolizing the tribes of Israel and their covenant relationship with God.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, gems are used to describe the splendor of the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city, as seen in the vision of John in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 21:18-21 provides a vivid description of the city's foundations and gates:

"The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass. 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. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass."

This imagery emphasizes the glory and perfection of God's eternal kingdom, using gems to convey the beauty and value of the divine promise.

Symbolic Significance

Throughout Scripture, gems are often used metaphorically to represent spiritual truths and virtues. For instance, in Proverbs 3:15 , wisdom is compared to precious stones: "She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her." This highlights the incomparable value of wisdom and understanding in the life of a believer.

Additionally, in 1 Peter 2:4-5 , believers are described as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house, indicating the preciousness of each individual in the sight of God and their role in the spiritual community.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient times, gems were highly prized for their rarity and beauty. They were often used in trade and as symbols of status and power. The biblical references to gems reflect the cultural and economic realities of the ancient Near East, where such stones were integral to religious and royal adornment.

The use of gems in biblical texts also reflects the belief in their divine origin and their role in the created order. As part of God's creation, gems are seen as manifestations of His glory and craftsmanship, serving as reminders of His beauty and majesty.1. (n.) A bud.

2. (n.) A precious stone of any kind, as the ruby, emerald, topaz, sapphire, beryl, spinel, etc., especially when cut and polished for ornament; a jewel.

3. (n.) Anything of small size, or expressed within brief limits, which is regarded as a gem on account of its beauty or value, as a small picture, a verse of poetry, a witty or wise saying.

4. (v. t.) To put forth in the form of buds.

5. (v. t.) To adorn with gems or precious stones.

6. (v. t.) To embellish or adorn, as with gems; as, a foliage gemmed with dewdrops.

GEM

jem (Proverbs 26:8, the English Revised Version "a bag of gems,").

See STONES, PRECIOUS.

5556. chrusoprasos -- a chrysoprase (a greenish-yellow gem)
... a chrysoprase (a greenish-yellow gem). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
chrusoprasos Phonetic Spelling: (khroo-sop'-ras-os) Short Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5556.htm - 6k

5555. chrusolithos -- a chrysolite (a yellow gem)
... a chrysolite (a yellow gem). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
chrusolithos Phonetic Spelling: (khroo-sol'-ee-thos) Short Definition: a topaz ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5555.htm - 6k

5192. huakinthos -- hyacinth
... jacinth, a deep blue colored gem. Of uncertain derivation; the "hyacinth" or "jacinth",
ie Some gem of a deep blue color, probably the zirkon -- jacinth. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5192.htm - 6k

4557. sardonux -- sardonyx
... streaked with red. Word Origin from sardion and onux (a gem) Definition
sardonyx NASB Word Usage sardonyx (1). sardonyx. From the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4557.htm - 6k

2393. iaspis -- jasper (a translucent stone)
... jasper. Probably of foreign origin (see yashpheh); "jasper", a gem -- jasper. see
HEBREW yashpheh. (iaspidi) -- 2 Occurrences. (iaspis) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2393.htm - 6k

4555. sardinos -- sardine.
... sardine. From the same as sardios; sardine (lithos being implied), ie A gem, so
called -- sardine. see GREEK sardios. see GREEK lithos. 4554, 4555. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4555.htm - 6k

5116. topazion -- a topaz
... topaz. Neuter of a presumed derivative (alternately) of topazos (a "topaz";
of uncertain origin); a gem, probably the chrysolite -- topaz. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5116.htm - 6k

4556. sardion -- sard, a sardian (stone)
... sardius. Properly, an adjective from an uncertain base; sardian (lithos being implied),
ie (as noun) the gem so called -- sardius. (sardion) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4556.htm - 6k

4665. smaragdos -- an emerald
... emerald. Of uncertain derivation; the emerald or green gem so called -- emerald.
(smaragdos) -- 1 Occurrence. 4664, 4665. smaragdos. 4666 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4665.htm - 6k

4552. sapphiros -- sapphire, perhaps lapis lazuli
... sapphire. Of Hebrew origin (cappiyr); a "sapphire" or lapis-lazuli gem -- sapphire.
see HEBREW cappiyr. (sapphiros) -- 1 Occurrence. 4551, 4552. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4552.htm - 6k

7718. shoham -- (a gem) perhaps an onyx
... 7717, 7718. shoham. 7719 . (a gem) perhaps an onyx. Transliteration:
shoham Phonetic Spelling: (sho'-ham) Short Definition: onyx. ...
/hebrew/7718.htm - 6k

3958. leshem -- (a precious stone) perhaps amber or jacinth
... a gem, perhaps the jacinth. From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a gem, perhaps
the jacinth -- ligure. 3957, 3958. leshem. 3959 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3958.htm - 6k

7618. shebo -- (a precious stone) perhaps agate
... root (probably identical with that of shabah through the idea of subdivision into
flashes or streamers (compare shabiyb) meaning to flame; a gem (from its ...
/hebrew/7618.htm - 6k

8068. shamir -- a thorn, adamant, flint
... From shamar in the original sense of pricking; a thorn; also (from its keenness
for scratching) a gem, probably the diamond -- adamant (stone), brier, diamond. ...
/hebrew/8068.htm - 6k

688. eqdach -- a fiery glow, sparkle
... carbuncle. From qiddah; burning, ie A carbuncle or other fiery gem -- carbuncle.
see HEBREW qiddah. 687, 688. eqdach. 689 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/688.htm - 6k

5306. nophek -- (a precious stone) perhaps emerald
... emerald. From an unused root meaning to glisten; shining; a gem, probably the garnet --
emerald. 5305, 5306. nophek. 5307 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5306.htm - 6k

7278. Regem Melek -- "king's heap," an Israelite
... 7277, 7278. Regem Melek. 7279 . "king's heap," an Israelite. Transliteration:
Regem Melek Phonetic Spelling: (reh'-gem meh'-lek) Short Definition: Regemmelech ...
/hebrew/7278.htm - 6k

5601. sappir -- a sapphire
... sapphire. From caphar; a gem (perhaps used for scratching other substances), probably
the sapphire -- sapphire. see HEBREW caphar. 5600, 5601. sappir. 5602 > ...
/hebrew/5601.htm - 6k

4142. musabbah -- being changed, enclosed, be set, turning
... Or mucabbah {moo-sab-baw'}; feminine of muwcab; a reversal, ie The backside (of
a gem), fold (of a double-leaved door), transmutation (of a name) -- being ...
/hebrew/4142.htm - 6k

3471. yashepheh -- jasper
... jasper. From an unused root meaning to polish; a gem supposed to be jasper (from
the resemblance in name) -- jasper. 3470b, 3471. yashepheh. 3472 . ...
/hebrew/3471.htm - 5k

The Open Door.
... Some lives which here are obscure and neglected, like the precious gem at the bottom
of the ocean, shall one day glitter in Heaven, and be among the jewels of ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxv the open door.htm

Useful Hints.
... SWEET GEM OF THE HOME. ... We gaze, we search, but all in vain; The gem we love so well,
"Sweet innocence," doth not remain, Nor in thy chambers dwell. ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xxvii useful hints.htm

Omar and the Sacred vine
... He asks us to burn with a hard, gem-like flame. Flames are never hard
and never gem-like " they cannot be handled or arranged. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/vii omar and the sacred.htm

The Last Events in Galilee - the Tribute-Money, the Dispute by the ...
... To render this impossible, the wealthy man converted all his property into one
magnificent gem, which he carefully concealed within his head-gear. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the last events.htm

Nature Transitory --The Soul Immortal.
... 2 How glorious are those orbs of light, In all their bright array, That
gem the ebon brow of night, Or pour the blaze of day! 3 ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/554 nature transitorythe soul.htm

Letter xxviii. To the Church of Neoc??sarea. Consolatory.
... of your church down to that of the blessed departed, setting over you one after
another, and from time to time fitting one to another like gem set close to gem ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xxviii to the church.htm

Letter Lxvi. To Pammachius.
... is exalted. [1944]. 7. A pearl will shine in the midst of squalor and a
gem of the first water will sparkle in the mire. This is ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxvi to pammachius.htm

Introductory Note to the Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus
... Altogether, the Epistle is a gem of purest ray; and, while suggesting some difficulties
as to interpretation and exposition, it is practically clear as to ...
/.../the epistle of mathetes to diognetus/introductory note to the epistle.htm

From the Second Chapter.
... 17. "To him that overcometh I will give the hidden manna, and I will give him a
white stone."] The hidden manna is immortality; the white gem is adoption to be ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the second chapter.htm

Buying the Truth
... pearl that should have no flaw, some diamond of the purest water fit to glisten
in the crown of royalty, at last in his researches, he met with a gem the like ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/buying the truth.htm

Gem (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) Anything of small size, or expressed within brief limits, which is regarded
as a gem on account of its beauty or value, as a small picture, a verse of ...
/g/gem.htm - 7k

Regemmelech (1 Occurrence)
... re'-gem-me'-lek, re'-gem-mel'-ek (reghem melekh): One of a deputation sent to inquire
concerning the propriety of continuing the commemoration of the ...
/r/regemmelech.htm - 7k

Regem-melech (1 Occurrence)
... re'-gem-me'-lek, re'-gem-mel'-ek (reghem melekh): One of a deputation sent to inquire
concerning the propriety of continuing the commemoration of the ...
/r/regem-melech.htm - 7k

Diamond (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) A precious gem (Hebrews yahalom', in allusion to
its hardness), otherwise unknown, the sixth, ie, the third in the second row ...
/d/diamond.htm - 9k

Beryl (12 Occurrences)
... That was a gold-coloured gem, the topaz of ancient authors. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
The aquamarine is a transparent, sea-green variety used as a gem. ...
/b/beryl.htm - 11k

Carbuncle (6 Occurrences)
... Revised Version, marg., "emerald." The Hebrew word is from a root meaning "to glitter,"
"lighten," "flash." When held up to the sun, this gem shines like a ...
/c/carbuncle.htm - 10k

Sapphire (11 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Native alumina or aluminium sesquioxide, Al2O3; corundum; esp., the
blue transparent variety of corundum, highly prized as a gem. ...
/s/sapphire.htm - 11k

Jasper (8 Occurrences)
... (Hebrews yashpheh, "glittering"), a gem of various colours, one of the twelve
inserted in the high priest's breast-plate (Exodus 28:20). ...
/j/jasper.htm - 10k

Jewel (12 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/j/jewel.htm - 12k

Geli'loth (1 Occurrence)
Geli'loth. Geliloth, Geli'loth. Gem . Multi-Version Concordance Geli'loth
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Geliloth, Geli'loth. Gem . Reference Bible.
/g/geli'loth.htm - 6k

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