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Encyclopedia entry

Emerald

Heb. nophek (Ex. 28:18; 39:11); i.e., the “glowing stone”, probably the carbuncle, a precious stone in the breastplate of the high priest. It is mentioned (Rev. 21:19) as one of the foundations of the New Jerusalem. The name given to this stone in the New Testament Greek is smaragdos, which means “live coal.”

Also from Smith's (1884) +

a precious stone of a rich green color, upon which its value chiefly depends. This gem was the first in the second row on the breastplate of the high priest. (Exodus 28:18; 39:11) It was imported to Tyre from Syria, (Ezekiel 27:16) was used as a seal or signet, Ecclus. 32:6, as an ornament of clothing and bedding, (Ezekiel 28:13; Judges 10:21) and is spoken of as one of the foundations of Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:19) Tob. 13:16. The rainbow around the throne is compared to emerald in (Revelation 4:3)

In the Bible

7

Verses where Emerald is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).

  • Exodus 28:17

    And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones: In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;

  • Exodus 28:18

    in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;

  • Exodus 39:10

    And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones: The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;

  • Exodus 39:11

    the second row had a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;

  • Ezekiel 28:13

    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.

  • Revelation 4:3

    The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne.

+1 more verse naming Emerald.

Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)

Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.