Difference between revisions of "Emerald"

<p> A precious stone of a fine green color, found anciently in Ethiopia, but in modern times only in South America, Exodus 28:18; Ezekiel 27:16; 28:13 . Josephus, however, and the [[Seventy]] make it a gem like a burning coal-the [[Indian]] ruby. </p>

Exodus 28:1839:11Revelation 21:19

<p> First in the second row on the high priest's breast-plate (Exodus 28:18). Νophek , "the glowing stone," the carbuncle according to Kalisch (Exodus 39:11). [[Tyre]] imported it from [[Syria]] (Ezekiel 27:16). One of New Jerusalem's foundations (Revelation 21:19). [[Image]] of the rainbow round the throne (Revelation 4:3). </p>

<p> <strong> EMERALD </strong> . See [[Jewels]] and [[Precious]] Stones. </p>

<p> (σμάραγδος) </p> <p> The emerald is a mineral of the same species as the beryl. It owes its value as a gem to its extremely beautiful velvety green colour, which is ascribed to the chromium it contains. The primary form of its crystal is a hexagonal prism variously modified. It is electric by friction, and frequently transparent, but sometimes only translucent. [[Flinders]] Petrie ( <i> Hasting's [[Dictionary]] of the [[Bible]] (5 vols) </i> iv. 620) suggests that the σμάραγδος with which the rainbow (ἶρις) round about the throne is compared (Revelation 4:3) was rock-crystal, as only a colourless stone could throw prismatic colours. But the nimbus or halo may have been emerald in colour and only like a rainbow in form. The fourth foundation of the wall of the New [[Jerusalem]] is emerald (Revelation 21:19). </p> <p> James Strahan. </p>

<p> In the O.T. the word thus translated is <i> nophek, </i> but it is uncertain to which of the precious stones this refers. Some think it is the <i> carbuncle. </i> Exodus 28:18; Exodus 39:11; Ezekiel 27:16; Ezekiel 28:13 . In the N.T. it is σμάραγδος, which signifies 'live coal,' and is supposed to refer to some stone with prismatic crystals. Revelation 4:3; Revelation 21:19 . </p>

<p> Emerald. [[Perhaps]] the glowing. Avery precious gem of a pure green color, to which it owes its chief value, as the deepest colors are the most esteemed. Exodus 28:18; Ezekiel 27:16; Ezekiel 28:13. The emerald was anciently obtained from Egypt. [[Probably]] it corresponds to the carbuncle. </p>

<p> Emerald. 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; Exodus 39:11. It was imported to [[Tyre]] from Syria, Ezekiel 27:16, was used as a seal or signet, [[Sirach]] 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 [[Tobit]] 13:16. The rainbow around the throne is compared to emerald in Revelation 4:3. </p>

<div> A — 1: Σμάραγδος (Strong'S #4665 — [[Noun]] [[Feminine]] — smaragdos — smar'-ag-dos ) </div> <p> is a transparent stone of a light green color, occupying the first place in the second row on the high priest's breastplate, Exodus 28:18 . [[Tyre]] imported it from Syria, Ezekiel 27:16 . It is one of the foundations of the heavenly Jerusalem, Revelation 21:19 . The name was applied to other stones of a similar character, such as the carbuncle. </p> <div> B — 1: Σμαράγδινος (Strong'S #4664 — [[Adjective]] — smaragdinos — smar-ag'-dee-nos ) </div> <p> "emerald in character," descriptive of the rainbow round about the throne in Revelation 4:3 , is used in the papyri to denote emerald green. </p>

<p> נפכּ? , Exodus 28:19; Ezekiel 27:16; Ezekiel 28:13; σμαραγδος , Revelation 21:19; Ecclesiastes 32:6; Tob_13:16; Jdt_10:21 . This is generally supposed to be the same with the ancient <em> smaragdus. </em> It is one of the most beautiful of all the gems, and is of a bright green colour, without the admixture of any other. Pliny thus speaks of it: "The sight of no colour is more pleasant than green; for we love to view green fields and green leaves; and are still more fond of looking at the emerald: because all other greens are dull in comparison with this. Beside, these stones seem larger at a distance, by tinging the circumambient air. Their lustre is not changed by the sun, by the shade, nor by the light of lamps; but they have always a sensible moderate brilliancy." From the passage in Ezekiel we learn that the Tyrians traded in these jewels in the marts of Syria. They probably had them from India, or the south of Persia. The true oriental emerald is very scarce, and is only found at present in the kingdom of Cambay. </p>

<p> (1): </p> <p> (a.) Of a rich green color, like that of the emerald. </p> <p> (2): </p> <p> (n.) A kind of type, in size between minion and nonpare/l. It is used by [[English]] printers. </p> <p> (3): </p> <p> (n.) A precious stone of a rich green color, a variety of beryl. See Beryl. </p>

<p> Exodus 39:11 (c) This green stone represents praise, worship and adoration which begins now and lasts throughout eternity. [[Judah]] which means "praise" had his name graven on the emerald stone on the breastplate of the high priest. </p> <p> Revelation 4:3 (c) This complete rainbow was given this color to typify the eternal character of GOD's grace and the everlasting nature of GOD's covenant of mercy. It was "green" to signify eternal praise. </p>

<p> '''''em´ẽr''''' -'''''ald''''' . See [[Stones]] , [[Precious]] . </p>

<p> (נפֶךְ, nophek, of uncertain signif.; Sept. ἄνθραξ, N.T. and Apocr. σμάραγδος ), a precious stone, named first in the second row on the breast-plate of the high-priest (Exodus 28:18; Exodus 39:11), imported to [[Tyre]] from [[Syria]] (Ezekiel 27:16), used as a seal or signet (Sirach 32:6), as an ornament of clothing and bedding (Ezekiel 28:13; Judges 10:21), and spoken of as one of the foundations of [[Jerusalem]] (Revelation 21:19; [[Tobit]] 13:16). The rainbow round the throne is compared to emerald in Revelation 4:9 (ὅμοιος ὁράσει σμαραγδίνῳ ). The Sept., Josephus, and Jerus. [[Targum]] understand by it the carbuncle. This name (in [[Greek]] denoting a live coal) the ancients gave to several glowing red stones resembling live coals (Pliny, Hist. Nat. 32:20; comp. Theophrast. [[De]] Lapid. 18), particularly rubies and garnets. (See [[Carbuncle]]). The most valued of the carbuncles seems, however, to have been the [[Oriental]] garnet, a transparent red stone, with a violet shade, and strong vitreous luster. It was engraved upon (Theophrast. 31), and was probably not so hard as the ruby, which, indeed, is the most beautiful and costly of the precious stones of a red color, but is so hard that it cannot easily be subjected to the graving-tool. The [[Hebrew]] nophek, in the breast-plate of the high-priest, was certainly an engraved stone; and there is no evidence that the ancients could engrave the ruby, although this has in modern times been accomplished (Rosenmuller, [[Biblical]] Mineralogy, pages 32, 33; Braunius, De Vest. Sacerdot. page 523; Bellermann, [[Ueber]] die [[Urim]] u. Thummim, page 43). (See [[Beryl]]). </p> <p> The smaragdus of the New [[Testament]] was the generic name of twelve varieties of gems, some of which were probably true emeralds, while others seem to have been rather stones of the prasius or jasper kind, and still others no more than colored crystals and spars from copper mines. The statues, etc., of emerald mentioned by several ancient authors appear to have been nothing more than rock crystals, or even colored glass (Hill on Theophrast. de Lapid. 44; Moore's Anc. Mineral. page 150). (See [[Gem]]). </p> <p> The modern emerald is a species of beryl, of a beautiful green color, which occurs in primitive crystals, and is much valued for ornamental jewelry. The finest are obtained from Peru. The mines from which the ancients obtained emeralds are said to have existed in Egypt, near Mount Zabarah. (See the [[Penny]] Cyclopadia, s.v. Beryl.) </p>