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Biblical Archaeology:
Gemstones of the Bible


Aaron’s Breastplate: Exodus 28:17-20

Hebrew (MT) Greek (LXX) Septuagint Aramaic Targums Latin Vulgate Etymology (Hebrew root)

<da, ‘odem, sard – a red stone

sardion, sardion-sard

/qms, smqn, red carnelian

Sardius- sard

Hebrew <da, red

hdfp, pitah probably yellowish peridot

topazion, topazion-topaz, bright yellow

/qry, yrqn greenish yellow stone

Topazius- topaz

Sanskrit pitah – yellow, from Cush (Job 28:19)

tqrb, bareqet- the emerald, dark green beryl, or green feldspar.

smaragdos, smaragdos-emerald green gem

/qrb, ybrqn-emerald green, root shinning white

Zmaragdus - emerald

Akkadian barraqtu- emerald, green feldspar

ipn, nopek possibly the red garnet stone, or turquoise

‘anqrax, anthrax –burning ambers, dark red garnet

/ydgrmza, azmrgdyn- emerald or turquoise

Carbunculus- carbuncle

Egyptian mfk’t turquoise

ryps, sappir (blue) sapphire referring to lapis lazuli

sapfiros, sapphiros-sapphire blue, lapis lazuli

zyzbv, shbzyz - sapphire

Sapphyrus- sapphire

Sanskrit-sani-prijam (Saturn dear) Ug. Thr/iqnim, L.L.

<lhy, yahalom probably the moonstone

iaspis, jaspis-jasper usually a red stone

<wlhbs, sbhlwm – diamond

Iaspis- Jasper

Akkadian hulalu stone, moonstone

<vl, lesem probably the Hyacinth, blue

ligurion, ligyrion-ligure, blue stone

yryknq, qnkyry – small diamond, Hyacinth

Ligyrius- ligure

Egyptian nshm.t green feldspar

wbv, shebo probably the fiery red agate

‘acaths, achates –agate

ayqrf, trqya – anthracias, burning, agate

Achates- agate

Akkadian shubu fiery, red?

hmlja, ‘ahlama probably red jasper

ametustos, amethystos-amethyst, purple

/algy /yx, eyn egla calf’s eye, amethyst

Amethistus- amethyst

Egyptian hmn.t. translated amethyst? Or red jasper

vyvrt, tarshish probably gold Topaz or yellow chrysolite

crusolitos, chrysolithos-chrysolite. Literally meaning “golden stone.”

<wrk,krwm- sea green beryl, green feldspar

Chrysolitus- chrysolite

City of Tarfessus, Spain known for golden topaz

<hv, shoham probably red carnelian

bhrullos, berylos-beryl, sea green in color

alrwb,bwrla- beryl chryoberyll or yellow emerald

Onychinus- onyx

Akkadian samtu, sardis, Ug. Shmt carnelian?

hpvy, yasepeh probably green jasper

onucion, onychion-onyx, veined gem

yrytnp,phnthyry- panther, spotted stone or jasper

Berillus- beryl

Akkadian (y)ashpu meaning jasper