Sapphires are precious gemstones mentioned in the Bible, known for their striking blue color and symbolic significance. In biblical times, sapphires were highly valued and often associated with beauty, wealth, and divine favor. The Hebrew word for sapphire, "sapir," is used in several passages, indicating the stone's importance in ancient culture and religious symbolism.

Biblical References:

1. 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 sapphire pavement signifies the divine and heavenly nature of God's presence. The clarity and beauty of the sapphire are used to convey the purity and majesty of the divine realm.

2. Ezekiel 1:26 · "Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne, with the appearance of a sapphire stone. And on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man." Here, the sapphire is associated with the throne of God, symbolizing His sovereignty and authority. The use of sapphire in this context emphasizes the glory and splendor of God's rule.

3. Isaiah 54:11 · "O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires." In this prophetic promise, sapphires are used metaphorically to describe the restoration and beautification of Jerusalem. The mention of sapphires highlights the precious and enduring nature of God's covenant with His people.

4. Revelation 21:19 · "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." In the vision of the New Jerusalem, sapphires are part of the city's foundations, symbolizing the eternal and unshakeable nature of God's kingdom. The inclusion of sapphires among other precious stones underscores the city's divine beauty and perfection.

Symbolism and Significance:

In biblical symbolism, sapphires often represent divine truth, wisdom, and heavenly revelation. Their deep blue color is reminiscent of the sky and the sea, both of which are frequently associated with the divine in Scripture. The use of sapphires in descriptions of God's throne and the heavenly city suggests a connection between the stone and the divine presence.

Sapphires also symbolize purity and holiness. Their clarity and brilliance are seen as reflections of God's perfect nature. In the context of biblical prophecy and vision, sapphires serve as a reminder of God's promises and the hope of restoration and eternal life.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, sapphires were prized for their beauty and rarity. They were often used in jewelry and as adornments for royalty and the wealthy. The biblical references to sapphires reflect their status as a symbol of luxury and divine favor.

The historical understanding of sapphires may have differed slightly from the modern classification of the gemstone. In biblical times, the term "sapphire" might have referred to a variety of blue stones, including lapis lazuli. However, the symbolic meanings attributed to sapphires in the Bible remain consistent with their perceived value and beauty.

Overall, sapphires in the Bible are emblematic of divine beauty, authority, and the eternal nature of God's promises. Their presence in Scripture serves to illustrate the splendor and majesty of the divine, as well as the hope and restoration offered to God's people.5601. 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

His Hands are Turned as of Gold, Set with Hyacinths; his Belly is ...
... CHAPTER V. 14. His hands are turned as of gold, set with hyacinths; his
belly is ivory, set with sapphires. By His hands are to ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/14 his hands are turned.htm

Chapter v.
... 14. His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl, his belly is as bright
ivory overlaid with sapphires.14. His hands are turned ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter v.htm

Visions of Future Glory
... Behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors,. And lay thy foundations with sapphires.
"And I will make thy windows of agates. And thy gates of carbuncles,. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 60 visions of future.htm

There Are, Then, among the Righteous Some who are Carbuncles...
... There are, then, among the righteous some who are carbuncles, others sapphires,
others jaspers, and others crystals, and thus there is among the righteous ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xx there are then.htm

And If, Further, Temples are to be Compared with Temples...
... allusion in this passage in Isaiah, which is addressed to Jerusalem: "Behold, I
will lay thy stones with carbuncles, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xix and if further.htm

It Seems to Me Also that the Fancy of Plato...
... thy battlements of jasper, thy stones shall be crystal, and thy borders of precious
stones;" [4745] and, "I will lay thy foundations with sapphires." Those who ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxx it seems to.htm

August 12 Morning
... O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy
stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/august 12 morning.htm

The Well-Beloved.
... All kinds of treasured things are in Him; for He is like to gold rings set with
the beryl, and bright ivory overlaid with sapphires, and pillars of marble set ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the well-beloved.htm

Seeking Jesus
... as if some vessel, full of precious stones, were thrown down before men, and whilst
they are racing after the diamonds, they lose the emeralds and the sapphires ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/seeking jesus.htm

The New Jerusalem.
... tempest, and not comforted! behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors,
and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the new jerusalem.htm

Sapphires (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sapphires (5 Occurrences). Job 28:6 Sapphires come from
its rocks. ... His body is like ivory work overlaid with sapphires. ...
/s/sapphires.htm - 7k

Sapphire (11 Occurrences)
... Exodus 39:11 and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; (WEB KJV
JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 28:6 Sapphires come from its rocks. ...
/s/sapphire.htm - 11k

Nuggets (2 Occurrences)
... the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks. (See NIV). Job 28:6 Sapphires
come from its rocks. It has dust of gold. (See NIV). ...
/n/nuggets.htm - 6k

Uncomforted (3 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Isaiah 54:11 O troubled one, storm-crushed, uncomforted! see, your stones
will be framed in fair colours, and your bases will be sapphires. (BBE). ...
/u/uncomforted.htm - 7k

Ornamented (14 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Song of Songs 5:14 His hands are as rings of gold ornamented with beryl-stones;
his body is as a smooth plate of ivory covered with sapphires. (BBE). ...
/o/ornamented.htm - 10k

Lashed (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 54:11 O troubled one, storm-crushed, uncomforted! see, your stones will be
framed in fair colours, and your bases will be sapphires. (See NIV). ...
/l/lashed.htm - 6k

Inlaid (8 Occurrences)
... (See JPS NIV). Song of Songs 5:14 His hands are as rings of gold ornamented with
beryl-stones; his body is as a smooth plate of ivory covered with sapphires. ...
/i/inlaid.htm - 8k

Framed (8 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 54:11 O troubled one, storm-crushed, uncomforted! see, your stones will be
framed in fair colours, and your bases will be sapphires. (BBE). ...
/f/framed.htm - 9k

Turquoise (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 54:11 O troubled one, storm-crushed, uncomforted! see, your stones will be
framed in fair colours, and your bases will be sapphires. (See NIV). ...
/t/turquoise.htm - 8k

Tossed (19 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 54:11 "You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will
set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires...
/t/tossed.htm - 12k

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