Gems, precious stones of great beauty and value, are frequently mentioned throughout the Bible. They are often associated with wealth, beauty, and divine craftsmanship. In biblical times, gems were used for various purposes, including adornment, religious symbolism, and as a medium of exchange.

Creation and Symbolism

The Bible first mentions precious stones in the context of creation. In Genesis 2:12, the land of Havilah is noted for its gold, bdellium, and onyx stone. These stones are indicative of the richness and beauty of God's creation. Gems are often used symbolically to represent beauty, value, and divine glory.

Priestly Garments

One of the most significant uses of gems in the Bible is in the garments of the high priest. In Exodus 28:17-20, the breastplate of judgment is described as being adorned with twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The stones included sardius, topaz, carbuncle, emerald, sapphire, diamond, jacinth, agate, amethyst, beryl, onyx, and jasper. This use of gems signifies the preciousness of God's people and the high priest's role as a mediator between God and Israel.

The Temple and New Jerusalem

Gems also play a prominent role in the construction and decoration of sacred spaces. In 1 Chronicles 29:2, King David prepares materials for the temple, including "onyx stones and stones to be set, glistening stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and marble slabs in abundance." The use of gems in the temple underscores the splendor and holiness of the place where God dwells.

In the New Testament, the Book of Revelation describes the New Jerusalem as being adorned with precious stones. Revelation 21:19-21 details the foundations of the city walls, which are decorated with jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst. The gates of the city are made of pearls, and the streets are pure gold. This imagery conveys the glory and perfection of God's eternal kingdom.

Wisdom and Wealth

Gems are often used metaphorically in the Bible to convey wisdom and spiritual wealth. Proverbs 3:15 states, "She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her," referring to wisdom as more valuable than the finest gems. Similarly, in Job 28:18, wisdom is said to be worth more than "coral and jasper," emphasizing its supreme value.

Judgment and Redemption

In Ezekiel 28:13, the prophet describes the King of Tyre with imagery that includes precious stones, symbolizing his former glory and beauty before his fall. This passage is often interpreted as a reference to the fall of Satan, highlighting the contrast between the beauty of God's creation and the corruption of sin.

Conversely, in Isaiah 54:11-12, God promises to restore Israel, saying, "I will lay your stones with turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones." This promise of redemption and restoration is depicted through the imagery of precious stones, symbolizing the beauty and permanence of God's covenant with His people.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, gems serve as powerful symbols of beauty, value, and divine craftsmanship. They are used to adorn sacred spaces, represent the tribes of Israel, and convey spiritual truths. Whether in the context of creation, worship, or eschatological hope, gems reflect the glory and majesty of God and His eternal kingdom.Gems

[STONES, PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS]

(n.) The chamois.4396. milluah -- setting (of jewels)
... inclosing, setting. Feminine of millu'; a filling, ie Setting (of gems) -- inclosing,
setting. see HEBREW millu'. 4395, 4396. milluah. 4397 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/4396.htm - 6k

4394. millu -- setting, installation
... From male'; a fulfilling (only in plural), ie (literally) a setting (of gems), or
(technically) consecration (also concretely, a dedicatory sacrifice ...
/hebrew/4394.htm - 6k

2833. choshen -- breastpiece, sacred pouch
... From an unused root probably meaning to contain or sparkle; perhaps a pocket (as
holding the Urim and Thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used only of the ...
/hebrew/2833.htm - 6k

2737. charuz -- string of beads
... chain. From an unused root meaning to perforate; properly, pierced, ie A bead of
pearl, gems or jewels (as strung) -- chain. 2736, 2737. charuz. 2738 . ...
/hebrew/2737.htm - 6k

7660. shabats -- probably to weave in checker (or plaited) work
... embroider, set. A primitive root; to interweave (colored) threads in squares; by
implication (of reticulation) to inchase gems in gold -- embroider, set. ...
/hebrew/7660.htm - 6k

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... also a chandelier, formerly dedicated by Alexander the Great at Kyme; medallions
of eminent men; a collection of gold plate; another of gems and intaglios ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm

Paracelsus {13}
... were all, more or less, believers in magic"Theurgy, as it was called"in the power
of charms and spells, in the occult virtues of herbs and gems, in the ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/paracelsus 13.htm

The Perennial Freshness of the Bible Bears Witness to Its Divine ...
... therein, yet, on every subsequent occasion, provided one comes to it again in the
spirit of humble inquiry, each fresh reading will reveal new gems never seen ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter two the perennial freshness.htm

Rarity the Only Cause which Makes Such Things Valuable.
... We have also seen at Rome the nobility of gems blushing in the presence of our matrons
at the contemptuous usage of the Parthians and Medes, and the rest of ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter vii rarity the only cause.htm

Touching Jacob, However, that which He did at his Mother's Bidding ...
... For when he speaks of waving corn-fields, of vines putting forth gems, [2417] of
the bloom of youth, of snowy hairs; without doubt the waves, the gems, the ...
/.../augustine/against lying/section 24 touching jacob however.htm

Salvation to the Uttermost
... It is a volume embellished on its surface with starry gems and rainbow colours,
and containing in its inner leaves marvels at which the wise may wonder for age ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/salvation to the uttermost.htm

Christ's Connection with the Creator Shown Many Quotations Out of ...
... For of this number I find figurative hints up and down the Creator's dispensation
[3917] in the twelve springs of Elim; [3918] in the twelve gems of Aaron's ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xiii christs connection with the.htm

"Being Accustomed to Eat Fish at the Time of Easter...
... of the imperial bodyguard, testifies that he saw the hand of Martin as he was offering
sacrifice, clothed, as it seemed, with the noblest gems, while it ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter x being accustomed to.htm

St. Ambrose, Speaking of Tears, Explains David's Saying, "Every ...
... For Solomon made himself a bed of wood from Lebanon, its pillars were
of silver, its bottom of gold, its back strewn with gems. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v st ambrose speaking.htm

Letter cxxv. To Rusticus.
... I need not dilate on the purity of the lily, the modest blush of the rose, the royal
purple of the violet, or the promise of glowing gems which their various ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxv to rusticus.htm

Gems (5 Occurrences)
... (n.) The chamois. Multi-Version Concordance Gems (5 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 26:8 As
a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. (DBY). ...
/g/gems.htm - 7k

Gem (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (vt) To adorn with gems or precious stones. 6. (vt) To embellish or adorn,
as with gems; as, a foliage gemmed with dewdrops. Int. ...
/g/gem.htm - 7k

Lap (12 Occurrences)
... n.) A piece of brass, lead, or other soft metal, used to hold a cutting or polishing
powder in cutting glass, gems, and the like, or in polishing cutlery, etc. ...
/l/lap.htm - 15k

Gender (2 Occurrences)

/g/gender.htm - 8k

Joseph (248 Occurrences)
... (1) An Analytical Theory Resolving It into a Mere Compilation (2) A Narrative Full
of Gems (3) The Argument from Chronology Supporting It as a Monograph II. ...
/j/joseph.htm - 91k

Elamarna
... A necklace of solid gold and gems, a bracelet of iron gilt, an anklet of solid gold,
and other gold objects follow; and apparently cloths, and silver objects ...
/e/elamarna.htm - 31k

Tablets (31 Occurrences)
... A necklace of solid gold and gems, a bracelet of iron gilt, an anklet of solid gold,
and other gold objects follow; and apparently cloths, and silver objects ...
/t/tablets.htm - 41k

El-amarna
... A necklace of solid gold and gems, a bracelet of iron gilt, an anklet of solid gold,
and other gold objects follow; and apparently cloths, and silver objects ...
/e/el-amarna.htm - 31k

Tell (3056 Occurrences)
... A necklace of solid gold and gems, a bracelet of iron gilt, an anklet of solid gold,
and other gold objects follow; and apparently cloths, and silver objects ...
/t/tell.htm - 33k

Ouches (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary An Old English word denoting cavities or sockets in which
gems were set (Exodus 28:11). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OUCHES. ...
/o/ouches.htm - 10k

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