Minerals & Metals of the Bible (Part II)

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Minerals & Metals of the Bible (Part II)

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Here's the last one on the stones in the breastplate in the Bible, and the link mentioned in the editor's note can be accessed from the link to the story at the bottom. Hope you enjoyed the series from Rock & Gem, and find other articles there that interest you, too. :)

Minerals & Metals of the Bible (Part II)

New Ideas About The Identity of the Gemstones of the Breastplate
By Admin - March 20, 2019

Image
Biblical breastplate
Editor's Note: This is the second in a two-part series. Enjoy the first part >>>

By Steve Voynick

"THE Bible makes many general references to “precious stones” and “jewels,” most often as metaphors for such attributes as value, wealth, beauty, and durability. It also mentions 23 specific gem materials, among them 20 mineral gemstones and three biogenic gem materials, the latter being amber, coral, and pearls.

Origins of the Sacred Breastplate

The Bible’s most celebrated – and debated – reference to gemstones regards the sacred breastplate of the high priest of the Israelites, also known as “Aaron’s breastplate” and the “breastplate of judgment.” Described in detail in the Old Testament’s Book of Exodus, this golden breastplate was set with 12 different gemstones arranged in four rows of three gemstones each. Each gemstone was identified in ancient Hebrew, the original language of the Old Testament.

But the text of the original Hebrew Bible and the meanings of many ancient Hebrew words are now largely lost. Our knowledge of the Old Testament as presented in the Bible’s many English versions is based on 2,500 years of scholarly interpretation of Greek, Aramaic, and Latin translations

Debating Gemstone Identities

Not surprisingly, the identities of the breastplate gemstones have become confused. Modern English versions of the Bible collectively offer more than 40 different identities for the 12 breastplate gemstones. Most are modern names of gemstones, minerals, and mineral varieties, along with some archaic English names and several untranslated Greek and Latin names.

Adding to the confusion, modern artistic depictions of the breastplate often disregard the probable color and transparency of its gemstones. Many depict the gemstones as ... "

https://www.rockngem.com/minerals-metal ... e-part-ii/
PinkDiamond
ISG Registered Gemologist


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