Emerald Biblical Meaning

Emeralds are a classic example of how difficult it is to accurately translate the words of the Bible from one language (in this case, Hebrew) to another (English). The same word translated as "carbuncle" in one translation is used to justify the word "emerald" in another.

For example, the Hebrew word bareqath (Strong's Concordance #H1304) refers to an emerald-like gem that flashes, sparkles, or sparkles. The Bible mentions it as one of the gems found in the breastplate of the High Priest (Exodus 28:17, 39:10). In Exodus 28:17, bareqath is translated as "carbuncle" in the ASV, ESV, HBFV, and KJV versions of Scripture. The NKJV, HCSB, NASB, and NLT translations, however, render the same word as "emeralds!"

The widely used New International Version translation gives this Hebrew word the English designation "beryl" while the NCV lists the stone as a " yellow quartz ."

In Ezekiel 28:13, where bareqath is also used to refer to the ninth and final stone that adorned Lucifer, it is translated as "carbuncle" in the ASV, ESV, and KJV, but as "emerald" in the HBFV, HCSB, NASB, NKJV, and NLT. The NIV translates the word as "beryl" while the NCV renders it "chrysolite."

Biblical commentaries disagree on the modern identity of the Hebrew gemstone called bareqath . Some lean toward red-colored gemstones such as red garnet, while others suggest that a more accurate translation of the word would be that of a green-colored emerald.

858 Carat Emerald Gemstone Bible Meaning

In the New Testament, the fourth foundation stone of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19) is referred to by the Greek word smaragdos (Strong's #G4665). Strong's Concordance and Thayer's Lexicon define this word as referring to a green gem.

Having stated all the above, it can still be stated that the gemstone mentioned in the first row of the High Priest is an emerald and not a carbuncle.

"The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament of the Bible), Josephus ( Jewish historian who wrote in the first century A.D.), and the Vulgate versions of the Scriptures all translate the Hebrew word as "smaragdos," "smaragdus," "emerald," and the accuracy of this is not disputed by modern scholars" (Gemstones in the Breastplate, page 16)

Evidence suggests that bareqath is better rendered "emerald" in Exodus 28:17, 39:10, and Ezekiel 28:13. In modern times, quality gemstones made from this mineral come primarily from Colombia .

Folklore

Anciently, this stone represented youth. The corpse of those who died young sometimes had a ring with this stone placed on the index finger as a sign that their hope of life had perished early . This gem was thought to predict future events, although the mechanism by which they transmitted this information is unknown.

According to the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia article on gemstones, this stone, in the Middle Ages, was attributed with the ability to heal a person's eyesight.

This gemstone was also believed to improve the wearer's memory , make him wealthy, improve his thinking skills, and make him a better speaker. Rabbinic legend states that God gave King Solomon four precious stones that gave him the power to rule over all creation. One of these stones is said to have been an emerald (Curious Lore of Precious Stones, pages 31, 76 - 79).

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