What does each precious stone symbolize?
If the number twelve can a be symbol, could there be a symbol for each precious stone mentioned in Revelation 21:19 & 20?
Revelation 21:19
KJV - 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald.
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Asked November 22 2016
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Daimian Hughie
Supporter
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Kenneth Heck
Supporter
The Aaronic priests wore a breastplate which contained 12 stones, one for each tribe of Israel (Ex. 28: 17-21). We do not know at this time which stone pertained to which tribe, but it was known by the Aaronic priests back then, according to verse 21. I believe these same stones are the ones described in Rev 21:19-20, although the translated names are not quite certain in both the Old and New Testaments.
Tim Maas
Supporter
In my opinion, the stones listed in these verses are merely meant to be indicative of abundant beauty and value, in the same manner as the streets of the city being made of gold, and the gates of pearl. There is apparently even some textual or translational uncertainty (as I understand it) in multiple cases as to the precise stones being indicated in these verses, since the Greek words used for some of them are found nowhere else in Scripture. So it would be difficult for me to conclude that the actual names of the stones have an individual symbolism or deeper meaning that we are meant to detect or gain insight from.
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