Topical Bible: Commerce: Articles of Precious Stones

◄ Commerce: Articles of Precious Stones ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, precious stones held significant value and were often used in commerce, trade, and religious practices. These stones were not only symbols of wealth and status but also carried spiritual and cultural significance. The Bible references various precious stones, highlighting their importance in ancient economies and religious symbolism.

Biblical References and Significance

Precious stones are mentioned throughout the Bible, often in the context of wealth, beauty, and divine craftsmanship. In the Book of Exodus, the high priest's breastplate, known as the "breastplate of judgment," was adorned with twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:17-21). These stones included sardius, topaz, emerald, turquoise, sapphire, diamond, jacinth, agate, amethyst, beryl, onyx, and jasper. The use of these stones in the priestly garments underscores their sacred significance and the belief that they were imbued with divine qualities.

In the Book of Revelation, the New Jerusalem is described as having foundations adorned with every kind of precious stone (Revelation 21:19-21). This imagery conveys the glory and splendor of the heavenly city, with stones such as jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst. The use of these stones symbolizes the eternal beauty and perfection of God's kingdom.

Economic and Trade Aspects

Precious stones were highly sought after in ancient commerce and trade. They were often exchanged for other valuable goods and were considered a form of currency. The wealth of a nation or individual could be measured by the quantity and quality of precious stones they possessed. In Ezekiel 28:13 , the abundance of precious stones is used to describe the wealth and beauty of the King of Tyre, indicating their role in the economic prosperity of ancient cities.

The trade routes of the ancient Near East facilitated the exchange of precious stones, with regions such as Arabia, India, and Africa being notable sources. The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon, as recorded in 1 Kings 10:2 , included a gift of precious stones, highlighting their role in diplomatic relations and the demonstration of wealth and power.

Symbolism and Spiritual Meaning

Beyond their economic value, precious stones in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings. They are frequently associated with divine attributes, such as wisdom, purity, and strength. In Proverbs 3:15 , wisdom is compared to precious stones, emphasizing its incomparable value: "She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her."

The use of precious stones in biblical texts also reflects the belief in their protective and healing properties. In ancient cultures, certain stones were thought to have the power to ward off evil spirits or bring good fortune. This belief is echoed in the biblical narrative, where stones are often linked to divine protection and favor.

Conclusion

The role of precious stones in biblical commerce and symbolism is multifaceted, reflecting their economic, cultural, and spiritual significance. As articles of trade, they were integral to the wealth and prosperity of ancient societies. As symbols, they conveyed divine beauty and eternal truths, enriching the biblical narrative with layers of meaning and depth.

Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 27:16,22
Syria was your merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of your making: they occupied in your fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 28:13,16
You have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of your tabrets and of your pipes was prepared in you in the day that you were created.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 18:12
The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Destruction of Babylon.
... the sea, were made rich through her precious merchandise ... And these articles of traffic
are symbolized by the ... The commerce of this ecclesiastical city, has been ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the destruction of babylon.htm

The First Theban Empire
... possessed in the way of slaves, flocks, wood, or precious metals. ... everything, in
fact, which Central Africa has furnished as articles of commerce from time ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Of Eternal and Temporal Nature.
... is brought into a power of commerce with those ... transparent bodies, and the splendor
of precious stones, why he ... have brought against the first articles of our ...
/.../law/an appeal to all that doubt/of eternal and temporal nature.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... of the consumer, the waning commerce which had ... coloured plumage, goldsmiths'work***
and precious stones, of which ... of liakhmiri among the articles of tribute ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

The Memphite Empire
... population was composed, provided for the daily exigencies of industry and commerce. ...
had on his breast a golden pectoral, adorned with precious stones, and a ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... It is a waste of precious time and space even to chronicle such interpretations,
which make the Word of God none effect. ... The stones are indeed great in size. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... thy hand formeth were of gold"or in the shape of a brick of silver,"it is not
lapis-lazuli that we eat,"but wheat is of more worth than precious stones. ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... family and its property"Chaldaean commerce and industry. ... which turned upon two blackish
stones firmly set ... for weighed quantities of the precious metals, the ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... in Phoenician glass and goldsmiths'work"Commerce with Egypt ... essences, and wrapping
it in precious cloths, transmitted ... why such a number of stones should have ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... They cover the pivot stones on which Sargon of Agade or one of the Bursins had ... in
the palaces of the nobles of Car-chemish or Assur: the same articles of toilet ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm