Topical Bible: Precious Stones: Beryl

Bible > Topical > Precious Stones

◄ Precious Stones: Beryl ►

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

Topical Encyclopedia

Beryl is a precious stone mentioned several times in the Bible, known for its beauty and variety of colors, ranging from green to blue-green. It is a mineral composed of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate and is often associated with other precious stones such as emerald and aquamarine, which are varieties of beryl.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 28:20; 39:13 · Beryl is listed as one of the stones set in the breastplate of the High Priest. The breastplate, also known as the Breastplate of Judgment, contained twelve stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The inclusion of beryl signifies its importance and value in the ancient world. The Berean Standard Bible states: "and the fourth row will be a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Mount these stones in gold filigree settings."

2. Ezekiel 1:16; 10:9 · In the visions of the prophet Ezekiel, beryl is used to describe the appearance of the wheels associated with the cherubim. The brilliance and clarity of beryl are used to convey the divine and awe-inspiring nature of these heavenly visions. Ezekiel 1:16 describes: "The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like the gleam of beryl, and all four had the same likeness."

3. Daniel 10:6 · The prophet Daniel describes a heavenly being with a body like beryl, emphasizing the splendor and majesty of the vision. This description highlights the stone's association with divine beauty and purity. The BSB reads: "His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude."

4. Revelation 21:20 · In the vision of the New Jerusalem, beryl is mentioned as one of the foundation stones of the city wall. This inclusion underscores the stone's enduring value and its place in the eternal city of God. The BSB states: "the fifth foundation was beryl, the sixth was topaz, the seventh was chrysoprase, the eighth was beryl."

Symbolism and Significance:

In biblical symbolism, beryl is often associated with beauty, purity, and divine glory. Its presence in the High Priest's breastplate and the New Jerusalem's foundations signifies its importance in the spiritual and religious life of Israel. The stone's varied colors and clarity make it a fitting representation of God's multifaceted nature and the splendor of His creation.

Beryl's use in prophetic visions, such as those of Ezekiel and Daniel, further emphasizes its role as a symbol of divine revelation and heavenly majesty. The stone's brilliance and radiance serve as metaphors for the glory and holiness of God, as well as the transformative power of His presence.

Overall, beryl's recurring presence in Scripture highlights its significance as a precious stone that embodies the beauty and majesty of God's creation and His divine purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 10:6
His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 21:20
The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Introduction.
... berullos beryl ix ... These precious stones have been identified as follows, taking the
High Priest's breastplate: i. 1. Red carnelian 2. Chrysolite (greenish-yellow ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction 4.htm

High Priest
... The external part of this gorget was set with four rows of precious stones; the
first row ... a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst, and the fourth, a beryl, an onyx ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

The New Jerusalem.
... city were adorned with every kind of precious stone ... the seventh, a chrysolite; the
eighth, a beryl; the ninth ... behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the new jerusalem.htm

Another Cavil Met, IE , the Devil who Instigated Man to Sin ...
... Every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, the topaz, and the diamond,
the beryl, the onyx ... mountain of God, thou wast in the midst of stones of fire ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter x another cavil met i e.htm

Of the Fall of the Devil and the Angels.
... the pleasures of the paradise of God: every precious stone was ... the chrysolyte and
the onyx and the beryl, the sapphire ... walked in the midst of the stones of fire ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii of the fall 2.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. ... sardonyx;
the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

The People of the New Earth
... were adorned with every kind of precious stone ... colour, and transparent): the eighth,
a beryl (of a ... is somewhat difficult to identify these stones with exactness ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people of the new.htm

The Immutability of Christ
... His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly ... Interposed his precious
blood ... drunken with wormwood, and broken my teeth with gravel stones." O, you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the immutability of christ.htm