There is symbolism in everything about the Sanctuary and its services and the Priests who ministered there. Here is a study about the stones in the High Priest’s Breastplate. There are varying perspectives on this because it is difficult to know exactly what particular stones are referred to from the Hebrew words or what color they were. We looked into multiple commentaries, dictionaries, and lexicons including the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon which gives word meanings based on the ancient Hebrew pictographic characters. We were fascinated by some of the implications that emerged. There seemed to be many characteristics and functions of Christ’s ministry on our behalf that are implied by each of those stones. We share this study not as “orthodox” theology but as another perspective on the incredibly rich mine of truth in the Sanctuary.
And
thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after
the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of
purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length
thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof. And thou shalt set
in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row
shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first
row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a
diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And
the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set
in gold in their inclosings. And the stones shall be with the names
of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the
engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be
according to the twelve tribes.
Exodus 28:15-21
Sardius
*H124 אֹדֶם ‘ôdem o’-dem
From
H119; redness,
that is, the ruby,
garnet,
or some other red gem: – sardius.
H119
אָדַם
‘âdam
aw-dam’
To
show blood
(in the face), that is, flush
or turn rosy: – be (dyed, made) red (ruddy).
H120
אָדָם
‘âdâm
aw-dawm’
From
H119; ruddy,
that is, a human
being
(an individual or the species, mankind,
etc.): – X another, + hypocrite, + common sort, X low, man (mean, of
low degree), person.
H121
אָדָם
‘âdâm
aw-dawm’
The
same as H120;
Adam,
the name of the first man, also of a place in Palestine: – Adam.
**AHLB 1082 “blood” “red” a red precious stone
Nevertheless
death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned
after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of
him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free
gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the
grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus
Christ, hath abounded unto many. Romans 5:14, 15
For
as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But
every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they
that are Christ’s at his coming. 1 Corinthians 15:22, 23
And
so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last
Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which
is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is
spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is
the Lord from heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:45-47
But
Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater
and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not
of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by
his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats,
and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the
purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge
your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this
cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of
death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the
first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of
eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:11-15
And
immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in
heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon
like a jasper and a sardine stone (sardius
ASV): and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in
sight like unto an emerald. Revelation 4:2, 3
Sardius:
Jesus became the second Adam, taking on sinful human flesh, and
shedding his blood for us.
Topaz
H6357
פִּטְדָה
piṭdâh
pit-daw’
Of
foreign derivation; a gem,
probably the topaz:
– topaz.
AHLB
2603 Pitdah: An
unknown precious stone.
***TSK Pitdah, is constantly rendered by the LXX τοπαζιον, and Vulgate, topazius, with which agrees Josephus. The topaz is a precious stone, of a pale, dead green, with a mixture of yellow, sometimes of a fine yellow; and hence called chrysolyte by the moderns, from its gold colour.
Topaz:
????
Carbuncle
H1304
בָּרְקַת
בָּרְקַת bâreqath
bâreqath
baw-reh’-keth, baw-rek-ath’
From
H1300; a gem (as flashing),
perhaps the emerald:
– carbuncle.
H1300
בָּרָק
bârâq
baw-rawk’
From
H1299; lightning; by
analogy a gleam;
concretely a flashing
sword: – bright, glitter (-ing, sword), lightning.
AHLB
2041 The shining flash of a sword as it is thrust.
Barqet:
An unknown gem probably from its shining.
And
he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a
sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in
his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.
And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am
the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and,
behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and
of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the
things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Revelation 1:16-19
So
hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which
thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly,
and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 2:15, 16
For
the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and
of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God: Ephesians 6:17
Carbuncle:
Jesus, the Word, became a man; His word is a sword, dividing and
pruning.
Emerald
H5306
נֹפֶךְ
nôphek
no’-fek
From
an unused root meaning to glisten;
shining;
a gem, probably the garnet:
– emerald.
And
immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in
heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look
upon like a jasper and a
sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in
sight like unto an emerald.
Revelation 4:2, 3
Again,
as the Holy Spirit rested upon the prophet, he sees a door opened in
heaven, and hears a voice calling him to look upon the things which
shall be hereafter. And he says, “Behold, a throne was set in
heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon
like a jasper and a sardine stone.” Ministering angels were around
about Him, waiting and eager to do His will, while the rainbow of
God’s promise, which was a token of His covenant with Noah, was
seen by John encircling the throne on high—a pledge of
God’s mercy to every repentant, believing soul. It is an
everlasting testimony that “God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.” It declares to the whole world
that God will never forget His people in their struggle with evil.
Manuscript 100, 1893
As
the bow in the cloud is formed by the union of the sunlight
and the shower, so the rainbow encircling the throne represents the
combined power of mercy and justice. It is not justice
alone that is to be maintained; for this would eclipse the glory of
the rainbow of promise above the throne; man could see only the
penalty of the law. Were there no justice, no penalty, there would be
no stability to the government of God. AG 70
The
One who has stood as our Intercessor; who hears all penitential
prayers and confessions; who is represented with a rainbow, the
symbol of grace and love, encircling His head, is soon to cease His
work in the heavenly sanctuary. Grace and mercy will then descend
from the throne, and justice will take their place. He for whom His
people have looked will assume His right–the office of Supreme
Judge. RH 1/1/89
Emerald:
Jesus came to renew the Covenant of mercy and justice with His
people.
Sapphire
H5601
סַפִּיר
sappı̂yr
sap-peer’
From
H5608;
a gem
(perhaps as used for scratching
other substances), probably the sapphire:
– sapphire.
H5608
סָפַר
sâphar
saw-far’
A
primitive root; properly to score
with a mark as a tally or record, that is, (by implication) to
inscribe,
and also to enumerate;
intensively to recount,
that is, celebrate:
– commune,
(ac-) count, declare, number, + penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth,
speak, talk, tell (out), writer.
And
they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a
paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in
his clearness. Exodus 24:10
And
above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a
throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness
of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon
it. Ezekiel 1:26
Then
I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of
the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone,
as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. Ezekiel 10:1
Speak
unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes
in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and
that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And
it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and
remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye
seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use
to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments,
and be holy unto your God. Numbers 15:38-40
Sapphire:
God’s Law is the foundation of His throne, His government. Jesus is
God and perfectly lived the Law, showing us the basis for
righteousness.
Diamond
H3095
יַהֲלֹם
yahălôm
yah-hal-ome’
From
H1986
(in the sense of hardness);
a precious stone, probably onyx:
– diamond.
H1986
הָלַם
hâlam
haw-lam’
A
primitive root; to strike
down; by implication to hammer,
stamp,
conquer,
disband: – beat
(down), break (down), overcome, smite (with the hammer).
These
things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the
world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world. John 16:33
To
him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as
I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Revelation 3:21
I
am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for
evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 1:18
And
I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow;
and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to
conquer. Revelation 6:2
And
another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and
cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying,
Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of
the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust
in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and
cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the
winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the
winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand
and six hundred furlongs. Revelation 14:18-20
Diamond:
Jesus has conquered the world, sin, and death.
Ligure
H3958
לֶשֶׁם
leshem
leh’-shem
From
an unused root of uncertain meaning; a gem,
perhaps the jacinth:
– ligure.
AHLB
2324
An unknown stone.
Fausett’s
Bible Cyclopedia: Ligure—magnetic amber stone, drawing wood,
iron and brass.
Come
unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Matthew 11:28
And
I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 12:32
Ligure:
Jesus draws all men to himself.
Agate
H7618
שְׁבוּ
shebû
sheb-oo’
From
an unused root (probably identical with that of H7617
through the idea of subdivision
into flashes or streamers (compare H7632))
meaning to flame;
a gem
(from its sparkle), probably the agate:
– agate.
H7617
שָׁבָה
shâbâh
shaw-baw’
A
primitive root; to transport
into captivity: – (bring away, carry, carry away, lead, lead away,
take) captive (-s), drive (take) away.
H7632
שָׁבִיב
shâbı̂yb
shaw-beeb’
From
the same as H7616;
flame
(as split
into tongues): – spark.
Thou
hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast
received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD
God might dwell among them. Psalm
68:18
Wherefore
he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and
gave gifts unto men. Ephesians
4:8
The
Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me
to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening
of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year
of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that
mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them
beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of
righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3
And
when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one
accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as
of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were
sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,
and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance. Acts 2:1-4
And
unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he
that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy
works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Revelation 3:1
And
I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts,
and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,
having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God
sent forth into all the earth.
Revelation 5:6
Agate:
Jesus conquered all enemies and freed their captives. He was filled
with the Spirit and gifted the Spirit to His people symbolized by the
flames of fire.
Amethyst
H306
אַחְלָמָה
‘achlâmâh
akh-law’-maw
Perhaps
from H2492
(and thus dream
stone);
a gem, probably the amethyst:
– amethyst.
H2492
חָלַם
châlam
khaw-lam’
A
primitive root; properly to bind
firmly, that is, (by implication) to be
(causatively to make)
plump;
also (through the figurative sense of dumbness)
to dream:
– (cause to) dream (-er), be in good liking, recover.
AHLB
2164 Dream: {str: 2492}
An
unknown gem probably in the sense of gazing. amethyst| {str: 306}
A
vision is to gaze at something. To have visions from God is to be in
good favor. This maybe included in the idea along with dreams. It
seems to possibly refer to prophesying.
Think
not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come
to destroy, but to fulfil. Matthew 5:17
And
beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them
in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27
Yea,
and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many
as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Acts 3:24
To
him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever
believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts 10:43
Amethyst:
Jesus fulfilled the dreams and visions of the prophets regarding the
Messiah.
Beryl
H8658
תַּרְשִׁישׁ
tarshı̂ysh
tar-sheesh’
Probably
of foreign derivation (compare H8659);
a gem, perhaps the topaz:
– beryl.
The
appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a
beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their
work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. Ezekiel
1:16
And
when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by
one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance
of the wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone. Ezekiel 10:9
As
the wheel-like complications were under the guidance of the hand
beneath the wings of the cherubim, so the complicated play of human
events is under divine control. Amidst the strife and tumult of
nations, He that sitteth above the cherubim still guides the affairs
of the earth. [See Ezekiel 1:4, 26; 10:8; Daniel 4:17, 25, 32.] Ed
178
God
is acquainted with every man. Could our eyes be opened we would see
that eternal justice is at work in our world. A powerful influence,
not under man’s control, is working. Man may fancy that he is
directing matters, but there are higher than human influences at
work. The servants of God know that He is working to counteract
Satan’s plans. Those who know not God cannot comprehend His
movements. There is at work a wheel within a wheel. Apparently the
complication of machinery is so intricate that man can see only a
complete entanglement. But the divine hand, as seen by the prophet
Ezekiel, is placed upon the wheels, and every part moves in complete
harmony, each doing its specified work, yet with individual freedom
of action. 4BC 1161
Then
I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed
in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 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 colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the
voice of a multitude. Daniel 10:5. 6
For
I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him
that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that
of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise
it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent
me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may
have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:38-40
And
Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. Matthew 28:18
Beryl:
God’s will and His control over the affairs of this world result in
order and harmony. Jesus always did His Father’s will and all the
affairs on earth are now in His hands.
Onyx
H7718
שֹׁהַם
shôham
sho’-ham
From
an unused root probably meaning to blanch;
a gem, probably the beryl
(from its pale
green color): – onyx.
Come
now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be
as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like
crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:18
I
beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did
sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like
the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as
burning fire. Daniel 7:9
And
after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and
leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was
transfigured before them. And his raiment became
shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white
them. Mark 9:2, 3
Christ
emptied Himself, and took the form of a servant, and offered
sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. As the high
priest, after performing his service in the holy of holies, came
forth to the waiting congregation in his pontifical robes, so Christ
will come the second time clothed in glorious garments of the
whitest white, “such as no fuller on earth can whiten them.”
He will come in His own glory, and in the glory of His Father, as
King of kings and Lord of lords, and all the angelic host will escort
Him on His way. Ms 113, 1899
A
little longer, and we shall have a
robe of purity, whiter than any fuller on earth could whiten it.
It is the garment woven in the loom of heaven, not to cover over our
sins, for Jesus takes away the sin of the world, but to clothe us in
the righteousness of Christ. I want to behold him until I shall be
changed into his likeness; for by beholding we become changed. We
should talk of the crown of life, of the heaven of bliss that awaits
the faithful. May God help us to press the battle to the gate. He
will place the crown of life upon our heads as we proclaim, “Worthy,
worthy is the Conqueror.” We shall exclaim, “Worthy is the
Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and
strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”
ST 4/23/94
Onyx:
God offers to whiten our stained, filthy garments and also offers us
the perfectly white robe of Christ’s righteousness.
Jasper
H3471
יָשְׁפֵה
yâshphêh
yaw-shef-ay’
From
an unused root meaning to polish;
a gem supposed to be jasper
(from the resemblance in name): – jasper.
And
he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and
there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an
emerald. Revelation 4:3
And
he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and
shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of
heaven from God, Having
the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious,
even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Revelation 21:10, 11
Jasper:
Jesus revealed God’s glory.
Summary
Sardius:
red, blood, man, Adam
Jesus
became the second Adam, taking on sinful human flesh, and shedding
his blood for us.
Topaz:
????
Carbuncle:
the flash of a sword
Jesus,
the Word, became a man; His word is a sword, dividing and pruning.
Emerald:
a rainbow (a symbol of the covenant) like an emerald
Jesus
came to renew the Covenant of mercy and justice with His people.
Sapphire:
God’s Law
God’s
Law is the foundation of His throne, His government. Jesus is God
and perfectly lived the Law, showing us the basis for righteousness.
Diamond:
to strike and overcome
Jesus
has conquered the world, sin, and death.
Ligure:
magnetic
Jesus
draws all men to himself.
Agate:
separate flashes of fire; separating captives from captors
Jesus
conquered all enemies and freed their captives. He was filled with
the Spirit and gifted the Spirit to His people symbolized by the
flames of fire.
Amethyst:
to dream, have a vision
Jesus
fulfilled the dreams and visions of the prophets regarding the
Messiah.
Beryl:
God’s perfect control
God’s
will and His control over the affairs of this world result in order
and harmony. Jesus always did His Father’s will and all the affairs
on earth are now in His hands.
Onyx:
to whiten
God
offers to whiten our stained, filthy garments and also offers us the
perfectly white robe of Christ’s righteousness.
Jasper:
glory
Jesus
revealed God’s glory.
CARBUNCLE
bâreqath
FLASHING SWORD
| TOPAZ
piṭdâh
? | SARDIUS
‘ôdem
BLOOD, ADAM |
DIAMOND
yahălôm
OVERCOME
| SAPPHIRE
sappı̂yr
GOD’S LAW | EMERALD
nôphek
COVENANT |
AMETHYST
‘achlâmâh
VISIONS
| AGATE
shebû
RELEASE CAPTIVES | LIGURE
leshem
MAGNET |
JASPER
yâshphêh
GLORY
| ONYX
shôham
WHITEN | BERYL
tarshı̂ysh
GOD’S CONTROL |
Key to Resource Abbreviations
*H followed by a number–Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary
**AHLB–The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible by Jeff Benner
***TSK–Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
