Opal is a precious gemstone known for its unique play of color, displaying a spectrum of hues that can change with the angle of light. While opal itself is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, it is often associated with the broader category of precious stones that are referenced throughout the Scriptures. In biblical times, gemstones were highly valued for their beauty and rarity, often used in religious and ceremonial contexts.

Biblical Context of Precious Stones

The Bible frequently mentions precious stones in various contexts, particularly in relation to the adornment of sacred objects and the description of heavenly visions. For example, in the construction of the High Priest's breastplate, twelve stones were set, each representing one of the tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:17-21). Although opal is not listed among these stones, the emphasis on the beauty and significance of gemstones is evident.

In the Book of Revelation, the New Jerusalem is described as being adorned with a variety of precious stones. Revelation 21:19-20 states, "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." While opal is not specifically mentioned, the passage highlights the splendor and divine craftsmanship associated with precious stones.

Symbolism and Significance

In biblical symbolism, precious stones often represent beauty, value, and divine glory. They are used metaphorically to describe the radiance and purity of God's creation and His covenant with His people. The multifaceted nature of opal, with its shifting colors, can be seen as a reflection of the complexity and depth of God's creation.

The use of gemstones in Scripture also points to the eternal and unchanging nature of God's promises. Just as gemstones endure through time, so too do the covenants and truths of God remain steadfast. The opal, with its captivating beauty, serves as a reminder of the divine artistry present in the world.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient cultures, opals were believed to possess mystical properties and were often associated with hope and purity. The Romans considered opals to be a symbol of love and hope, while in the Middle Ages, they were thought to bring good fortune. The unique characteristics of opal, with its ability to display a wide range of colors, made it a prized possession among royalty and nobility.

Conclusion

While opal is not directly mentioned in the Bible, its association with the broader category of precious stones allows for its inclusion in the rich tapestry of biblical symbolism. The beauty and rarity of opal reflect the divine craftsmanship and the enduring value placed on God's creation. Through its vibrant play of color, opal serves as a testament to the wonder and majesty of the natural world, pointing believers to the glory of the Creator.(n.) A mineral consisting, like quartz, of silica, but inferior to quartz in hardness and specific gravity.

The Compassion of Jesus
... 2. There must be personal contact. It is said that a man recently went into a jewelry
store to buy an opal and rejected all that were presented to him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the compassion of jesus.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

While the Foregoing Scene was Taking Place at the Vatican...
... light of the studio was particularly good on this special afternoon, as the weather
was clear, and the Roman sky translucent and bright as an opal, and Angela ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxix while the foregoing scene.htm

The Next Night Diamond was Seated by his Open Window...
... he began to see that the sky was very lovely, with mottled clouds all about the
moon, on which she threw faint colours like those of mother-of-pearl, or an opal ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 37 the next night.htm

Epitaph on his Wife.
... Emerald of the chastest soul,. Ruby of a wedded heart,. Opal of sweet household
art,. Sun among all women bright,. To one man his heart's delight,. ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/epitaph on his wife.htm

The Hiding-Place
... rest, when 'birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave,' and the heavens above
are clear as sapphire, and the sea around is transparent as opal"yet the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the hiding-place.htm

Death to Sin is the Way Out into a Life of Holiness.
... The unearthly loveliness of the opal arises from the same process, carried on within
the stone: the microscope shows it to be shattered through and through ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death to sin is the.htm

The Tomb of the Pharaoh
... Once, the young man had seen hanging from Meneptah's neck the rarest jewel
in the royal treasure. The wise men had called it an opal. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxiii the tomb of.htm

The Songs of the Fugitive.
... struggles, resting quietly on the breast of God: "Mark the perfect man, and behold
the upright, for the end of that man is peace?" Into this opal calmness, as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xv the songs of the.htm

November was Now Drawing to a Close, and St. ...
... through a fleecy veil of fine floating vapour, which, gathering flashes of luminance
from the silver orb, turned to the witch-lights of an opal,"and Aubrey ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxvi november was now drawing.htm

Opal (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Opal (2 Occurrences). Exodus 28:19 and the third
row, an opal, an agate, and an amethyst; (DBY YLT). Exodus ...
/o/opal.htm - 6k

Oozing (1 Occurrence)

/o/oozing.htm - 6k

Ligure (2 Occurrences)
... Some have supposed that this stone was the same as the jacinth (qv), others that
it was the opal. There is now no mineral bearing this name. ...
/l/ligure.htm - 7k

Precious (128 Occurrences)
... color; electrum (amber), a soft material; carbunculus, fiery red; callaina, pale
green, probably turquoise; cyanus, dark blue; and opalus (opal); ranked in ...
/p/precious.htm - 71k

Stones (244 Occurrences)
... color; electrum (amber), a soft material; carbunculus, fiery red; callaina, pale
green, probably turquoise; cyanus, dark blue; and opalus (opal); ranked in ...
/s/stones.htm - 74k

Open (586 Occurrences)

/o/open.htm - 41k

Is there any spiritual significance to birthstones? | GotQuestions.org

Opal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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