Lazuli, often referred to as lapis lazuli, is a deep-blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. In biblical times, it was highly valued and often associated with royalty and divinity. The stone is primarily composed of the mineral lazurite, along with calcite and pyrite, which give it its characteristic appearance.

Biblical References

While the term "lazuli" itself does not appear in most English translations of the Bible, the stone is often identified with the "sapphire" mentioned in various passages. The Hebrew word "sappir" is traditionally translated as "sapphire," but many scholars believe it may have referred to lapis lazuli in ancient contexts. This is due to the historical trade and use of lapis lazuli in the ancient Near East, where it was more commonly available than true sapphires.

Exodus 24:10 : "and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself." This passage describes a vision of God where the pavement beneath His feet is likened to sapphire, which could be interpreted as lapis lazuli, symbolizing divine purity and heavenly majesty.

Ezekiel 1:26 : "Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man." Here, the throne of God is described as being like sapphire, again possibly indicating the use of lapis lazuli to convey the glory and authority of God.

Symbolism and Use

In the ancient world, lapis lazuli was often associated with the heavens due to its deep blue color, speckled with golden pyrite inclusions that resemble stars. This celestial symbolism made it a fitting representation of divine presence and authority in biblical literature.

Lapis lazuli was also used in the creation of sacred objects and garments. It is believed to have been one of the stones set in the breastplate of the High Priest, as described in Exodus 28:18, where it is listed among the stones of the second row. The breastplate, known as the "Breastplate of Judgment," was worn by the High Priest as a means of divine communication and guidance for the Israelites.

Cultural and Historical Context

Lapis lazuli was highly prized in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia, where it was used in jewelry, amulets, and as a pigment for painting. Its trade routes extended from the mines in what is now Afghanistan to the Mediterranean, making it a valuable commodity in the ancient world.

In biblical times, the use of lapis lazuli in religious and royal contexts underscored its significance as a symbol of power, wisdom, and divine favor. Its presence in the biblical narrative serves to highlight the splendor and holiness of God's dwelling and His chosen representatives on earth.

Conclusion

The references to sapphire in the Bible, likely indicating lapis lazuli, reflect the stone's esteemed status and its symbolic association with the divine. Its use in descriptions of heavenly visions and sacred objects underscores its role as a representation of God's majesty and the beauty of His creation.(n.) A mineral of a fine azure-blue color, usually in small rounded masses. It is essentially a silicate of alumina, lime, and soda, with some sodium sulphide, is often marked by yellow spots or veins of sulphide of iron, and is much valued for ornamental work. Called also lapis lazuli, and Armenian stone.4552. sapphiros -- sapphire, perhaps lapis lazuli
... sapphire, perhaps lapis lazuli. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
sapphiros Phonetic Spelling: (sap'-fi-ros) Short Definition: a sapphire ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4552.htm - 6k5601. sappir -- a sapphire
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition a sapphire NASB Word Usage lapis lazuli
(2), lapis lazuli* (1), sapphire (5), sapphires (3). sapphire. ...
/hebrew/5601.htm - 6k

68. eben -- a stone
... a stone NASB Word Usage another (1), charm* (1), cornerstone* (1), death (1), differing
weights (3), hailstones* (4), jeweler* (1), lapis lazuli* (1), line* (1 ...
/hebrew/68.htm - 6k

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... silver,* several kinds of white or coloured marble,** and precious stones, such
as topaz, garnets, emeralds, sapphires, cornelian, and lapis-lazuli, the latter ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Promised Land
... In spite of the favorite's vigorous protests Mentu overturned the tiny heap
of earth and discovered therein the lapis-lazuli signet. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvii the promised land.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... bears from the Lebanon,** smoked and salted fish, live birds of many-coloured plumage,
goldsmiths'work*** and precious stones, of which lapis-lazuli was the ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Philip and the Emperor
... You shall have it,' said the Emperor, and, dipping his stylus in the huge golden
inkstand on the table, inlaid with lapis lazuli, which stood beside his ...
/.../chapter lxi philip and the.htm

Introduction.
... greenish-yellow) 3. Emerald ii. 4. Carbuncle 5. Lapis Lazuli (blue) 6. Jasper
(Greek chalcedony, dark green) iii. 7. Jacinth 8. Agate ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction 4.htm

The Treasure Cave
... of which tumbled heaps of gold and silver rings, zones, bracelets, collars and masks
from sarcophagi"all of gold; images of Isis in lapis lazuli and amethyst ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xx the treasure cave.htm

The Tomb of the Pharaoh
... Groping through the dark, he found his lamp and lighted it with trembling
hands. He held the lapis-lazuli signet! He did not move. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiii the tomb of.htm

Night
... Meneptah had forgotten his promise to return the lapis-lazuli signet to Mentu.
"Thou art undone, knave!" the courier added with a short laugh. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxiv night.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... his Majesty waxeth old, his bones are of silver, his flesh is of gold, his hair
of lapis-lazuli." As soon as his Majesty perceived that which they were saying ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... confined to the rich, and the material upon which they are found is generally some
costly gem, such as cut and polished agate, onyx, haematite, and lapis-lazuli ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Lazuli (3 Occurrences)
... ornamental work. Called also lapis lazuli, and Armenian stone. Multi-Version
Concordance Lazuli (3 Occurrences). Lamentations 4 ...
/l/lazuli.htm - 7k

Lazy (10 Occurrences)

/l/lazy.htm - 9k

Laziness (4 Occurrences)

/l/laziness.htm - 7k

Cyprus (12 Occurrences)
... refers to Cyprian salt, alum, gypsum, mica, unguents, laudanum, storax, resin and
precious stones, including agate, jasper, amethyst, lapis lazuli and several ...
/c/cyprus.htm - 27k

Sapphire (11 Occurrences)
... 28:13); one of the stones in the high priest's breastplate. It is a precious stone
of a sky-blue colour, probably the lapis lazuli, brought from Babylon. ...
/s/sapphire.htm - 11k

Shushan (19 Occurrences)
... king Assur-bani-apli about 640 BC According to his account, the ziqqurat or
temple-tower of Susa was built of enameled brick imitating lapis-lazuli, and was ...
/s/shushan.htm - 21k

Egypt (596 Occurrences)
... Upon these people came in others probably from the East, who brought in the use
of the Arab face-veil, the belief in amulets, and the Persian lapis lazuli. ...
/e/egypt.htm - 101k

Babylonia (17 Occurrences)
... conqueror. The beautiful piece of lapis lazuli, agate, cornelian, etc.,
obtained, was inscribed and devoted in the same way. Slabs ...
/b/babylonia.htm - 75k

Babel (3 Occurrences)
... copper. The thresholds and hinges of its gates were bronze, and the cornice
round its top was in (an imitation of) lapis-lazuli. ...
/b/babel.htm - 63k

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