Precious Stones of Great Variety
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The Bible frequently references precious stones, attributing to them both aesthetic beauty and symbolic significance. These stones are often associated with wealth, divine craftsmanship, and spiritual truths. Throughout Scripture, they are used in various contexts, from the adornment of sacred garments to the construction of heavenly visions.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, precious stones are prominently featured in the description of the High Priest's breastplate, known as the "breastplate of judgment." This sacred garment, worn by Aaron, the first High Priest, is detailed in Exodus 28:17-20: "And mount on it a setting of gemstones—four rows of stones: The first row shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald; the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row shall be a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row shall be a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Mount these stones in gold filigree settings." Each stone represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the unity and diversity of God's chosen people.

Ezekiel 28:13 also mentions precious stones in the context of the lament over the King of Tyre, who is depicted with an array of jewels: "You were in Eden, the garden of God; every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond; beryl, onyx, and jasper; sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation." This passage highlights the opulence and beauty associated with these stones, as well as their divine origin.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the Book of Revelation provides a vivid description of the New Jerusalem, adorned with a variety of precious stones. Revelation 21:19-21 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. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass." This imagery conveys the glory and perfection of God's eternal kingdom, with each stone reflecting a facet of divine beauty and majesty.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Throughout Scripture, precious stones symbolize various spiritual truths. They often represent beauty, value, and durability, qualities that are attributed to God's character and His promises. In 1 Corinthians 3:12-13, the Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of building with gold, silver, and precious stones to describe the enduring quality of works built on the foundation of Jesus Christ: "If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man's work."

Moreover, precious stones are associated with wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 3:15-16 extols wisdom, stating, "She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor." Here, the value of wisdom surpasses even the most treasured gems, emphasizing its supreme importance in the life of a believer.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of precious stones serves as a reminder of the beauty and splendor of God's creation, as well as the spiritual truths that these stones symbolize. Whether in the context of the High Priest's breastplate, the opulence of the New Jerusalem, or the metaphorical use in teaching spiritual lessons, precious stones in Scripture point to the divine craftsmanship and eternal value found in God's kingdom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Chronicles 29:2
Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Now as a New Thickness of Darkness, Hardness, or Substantiality...
... Hence is the great variety of metallic ores and precious stones in the
earth; the good and bad qualities in fire, air, and water. ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-33 now as a new.htm

Of the Building of this Temple
... priest, with the long robes, and the oracle, and the precious stones, were a ... made
all these things for the honor of God, with great variety and magnificence ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 of the building.htm

Concerning Herod's Death, and Testament, and Burial.
... The body was carried upon a golden bier, embroidered with very precious stones of
great variety, and it was covered over with purple, as well as the body itself ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning herods death.htm

A Bad Bargain
... Isaac's small household represented a great variety of types of ... Esau did"flinging
away a great future for a ... very well for sugar, but not for precious stones. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a bad bargain.htm

Vive Jesus. Preface.
... all France in the multitude and variety of his ... Nevertheless, to imitate the great
Apostle in this occasion ... gather the pearls and other precious stones which are ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/vive jesus preface.htm

The Worship of the Church. The Religion of the Primitive ...
... forehead glittered with gold whilst his breastplate sparkled with precious
stones"they must ... that he did not think it necessary to aim at great variety in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the worship of.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... to be set with twelve kinds of precious stones, but the ... be to His Name forever for
the precious, cleansing blood. ... and was used for a great variety of purposes. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

An Old Subscription List
... in this list of offerings there comes out the great thought of the infinite variety
of forms ... there comes, 'And the rulers brought precious stones, and spices ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/an old subscription list.htm

Concerning the Sabbatic River which Titus Saw as He was Journeying ...
... There were also precious stones that were transparent, some set in ... one might see
that even the great number of ... was not unadorned, while the variety that was in ...
/.../chapter v concerning the sabbatic.htm

How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured the Laws of the Jews to be ...
... of light to the spectators; with such stones of other ... and best esteemed, as being
most precious in their ... by the king's great generosity, by the great value of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how ptolemy philadelphus.htm

Resources
Is it possible for gold dust to come down during a church service? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone? | GotQuestions.org

Can a Christian lose salvation? | GotQuestions.org

Precious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Lapidary: One Who Cuts Precious Stones

Precious

Precious Stones

Precious Stones of Great Variety

Precious Stones of Many Colours

Precious Stones used for Adorning the Breastplate of Judgment

Precious Stones used for Adorning the High Priest's Ephod

Precious Stones used for Adorning the Temple

Precious Stones used for Decorating the Person

Precious Stones used for Honoring Idols

Precious Stones used for Ornamenting Royal Crowns

Precious Stones used for Setting in Seals and Rings

Precious Stones: A Part of the Treasure of Kings

Precious Stones: Agate

Precious Stones: Amethyst

Precious Stones: Art of Engraving Upon, Early Known to the Jews

Precious Stones: Art of Setting, Known to the Jews

Precious Stones: Beauty and Stability of the Church

Precious Stones: Beryl

Precious Stones: Brilliant and Glittering

Precious Stones: Brought from Ophir

Precious Stones: Brought from Sheba

Precious Stones: Called: Jewels

Precious Stones: Called: Precious Jewels

Precious Stones: Called: Stones of Fire

Precious Stones: Called: Stones to be Set

Precious Stones: Carbuncle

Precious Stones: Chalcedony

Precious Stones: Chrysolite

Precious Stones: Chrysoprasus

Precious Stones: Coral

Precious Stones: Diamond

Precious Stones: Dug out of the Earth

Precious Stones: Emerald

Precious Stones: Extensive Commerce In

Precious Stones: Given by Chief Men for the Temple

Precious Stones: Given by the Jews for the Tabernacle

Precious Stones: Glory of Heavenly Jerusalem

Precious Stones: Highly Prized by the Ancients

Precious Stones: Jacinth

Precious Stones: Jasper

Precious Stones: Often Given As Presents

Precious Stones: Onyx

Precious Stones: Pearl

Precious Stones: Preciousness of Christ

Precious Stones: Prepared by David for the Temple

Precious Stones: Ruby

Precious Stones: Saints

Precious Stones: Sapphire

Precious Stones: Sardine or Sardius

Precious Stones: Sardonyx

Precious Stones: Seductive Splendour and False Glory of the Apostasy

Precious Stones: Stability of Heavenly Jerusalem

Precious Stones: Topaz

Precious Stones: Worldly Glory of Nations

Related Terms

Jewel (12 Occurrences)

Coral (3 Occurrences)

Diamond (5 Occurrences)

Pearl (5 Occurrences)

Costly (26 Occurrences)

Quantities (13 Occurrences)

Adorned (20 Occurrences)

Ointment (29 Occurrences)

Onyx (16 Occurrences)

Jasper (8 Occurrences)

Emerald (8 Occurrences)

Sapphire (11 Occurrences)

Valuable (17 Occurrences)

Treasure-house (6 Occurrences)

Pearls (8 Occurrences)

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)

Carbuncle (6 Occurrences)

Almug (2 Occurrences)

Algum (3 Occurrences)

Scarlet (54 Occurrences)

Finest (23 Occurrences)

Choicest (32 Occurrences)

Purple (54 Occurrences)

Glittering (12 Occurrences)

Expensive (6 Occurrences)

Michtam (12 Occurrences)

Mine (2991 Occurrences)

Malcam (6 Occurrences)

Jewels (54 Occurrences)

Bdellium (2 Occurrences)

Beryl (12 Occurrences)

Sardius (5 Occurrences)

Settings (19 Occurrences)

Ophir (12 Occurrences)

Quantity (18 Occurrences)

Marble (5 Occurrences)

Amount (66 Occurrences)

Treasures (77 Occurrences)

Spices (64 Occurrences)

Articles (78 Occurrences)

Worth (36 Occurrences)

Vessels (210 Occurrences)

Gem (1 Occurrence)

Ruby (5 Occurrences)

Chalcedony (1 Occurrence)

Train (17 Occurrences)

Treasure (66 Occurrences)

Abundance (194 Occurrences)

Fine (184 Occurrences)

Choice (113 Occurrences)

Gold (429 Occurrences)

Exceeding (101 Occurrences)

Desirable (49 Occurrences)

Dominion (72 Occurrences)

Silver (329 Occurrences)

Merchandise (34 Occurrences)

Yield (78 Occurrences)

Riches (118 Occurrences)

Nard (5 Occurrences)

Onycha (1 Occurrence)

Ore (5 Occurrences)

Ouches (8 Occurrences)

Lading (7 Occurrences)

Gilded (2 Occurrences)

Frequent (10 Occurrences)

Traded (16 Occurrences)

Tarshish (24 Occurrences)

Thyne (1 Occurrence)

Reclining (25 Occurrences)

Retinue (4 Occurrences)

Rubies (8 Occurrences)

Realm (23 Occurrences)

Ephod (45 Occurrences)

Dedan (10 Occurrences)

Disallowed (7 Occurrences)

Dear (120 Occurrences)

Decked (10 Occurrences)

Moons (17 Occurrences)

Preciousness (2 Occurrences)

Precious Stones
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