You yourself, like live stones, are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, as you approach him, a living stone rejected by mankind but selected and precious in the eyes of God. Scripture states the following:
“Behold, I am setting a cornerstone in Zion that is precious and chosen, and whoever believes in him will not be ashamed.
The stones in Revelation are what?
The foundation stones of the Heavenly City are described as twelve diamonds in Revelation 21:19–20 of the Bible. These Biblical gems were linked to astrological signs and calendar months over the years, much like the stones of Aaron’s breastplate. The foundation stones and birthstones have a lot in common, despite different lists and translations.
Do stones appear in the Bible?
The Middle East, India, and Egypt were the sources of the Hebrews’ gemstone purchases.
[1] The Bible records that the Israelites brought diamonds with them during the Exodus (Book of Exodus, iii, 22; xii, 35-36). As soon as they arrived in the Land of Israel, they bought diamonds from merchant caravans going to Egypt from Babylonia or Persia as well as those going from Saba and Raamah to Tyre (Book of Ezekiel, xxvii, 22). Even a navy outfitted by King Solomon that came back from Ophir loaded down with diamonds (Books of Kings, x, 11).
The breastplate of the High Priest of Israel, the King of Tyre’s treasure, and the foundations of the New Jerusalem are all described in conjunction with gemstones in the books of Exodus and Ezekiel, respectively (Book of Tobit, xiii, 16-17, in the Greek text, and more fully, Book of Revelation, xxi, 18-21). The Jews thought the two stones on the shoulder decorations and the twelve stones on the breastplate were the most precious stones.
precious. Both the Book of Revelation (xxi, 18–21) and the Book of Ezekiel (xxviii, 13) make references to the Twelve Tribes of Israel and follow the paradigm of the rational[clarification needed].
The Hebrew names for the stones could no longer be recognized at the time of the Septuagint translation, therefore different Greek words were employed instead. Josephus asserted to have seen the stones in person. The names given to gemstones in ancient times were based on their color, function, or country of origin rather than their composition and crystalline shapes. As a result, stones with the same color or a close match to it but a different composition or crystalline shape have the same names. Another issue is terminology; names have evolved through time. Chrysolite was once known as topaz, sapphire as lapis, etc. However, we are aware that the majority of the stones were valuable in Babylonia, Assyria, and Egypt.
by Steve Lawrence
I recently had a conversation with a woman whose husband had recently received word that he would no longer be needed at his Catholic high school as the Religious Education Coordinator for the upcoming academic year. Naturally, he was very disturbed about it, especially because the school had given ambiguous explanations for their choice. I felt qualified to openly encourage her, “I’m sure good things will come from it, even if they are not visible at the moment. I’ve experienced being pushed aside a few times myself over the years, and then subsequently saw how God had been preparing something greater.
My parents had a really terrible period of dispute while I was a child growing up in Brisbane, Australia, in the 1980s, which lasted six years from the time I was twelve until they separated right as I graduated high school, before relocating to Melbourne. After seeing the issues in their marriage, which caused my brothers and I a lot of trouble and left us hurt and somewhat traumatized, I was understandably a little hesitant to get married. I did, however, get married, and with Annie’s unfailing gentle love, my friends’ prayers and support, as well as regular access to the Eucharist and the Sacraments of Confession, I have experienced a great lot of healing. Over time, we have discovered that we are capable of supporting other married couples and leading a very successful ministry to engaged, married, and family couples. The miracle that is our union!
The principal of the high school where I worked as the director of faith and mission had a proverb that he would pronounce as a warning: “Wounded people wound people, or “Damaged people damage people.” While it is undoubtedly true that people prefer to dwell on their challenging situations if they are not resolved, I believe this to be a constrained and somewhat gloomy truth. My personal favorite to add is that “healed people heal people. This is unquestionably my experience, and it is in line with the gospel’s witness. According to the many versions of the Resurrection, when Jesus returned from the dead, he made a considerable effort to let the disciples to view and touch the crucifixion-related wounds on his body. As vital as it is to demonstrate that he was truly raised from the dead, the purpose of this was to emphasize that being raised and healed does not include being “patched up as if what caused the wounds didn’t happen.” No, the scars continue to exist and, even after healing, they are revered. As we learn via a vision of heaven that Jesus is “the Lamb looking as though he had been slaughtered” (Rev 5:6), and similarly for us, our glorified wounds will be with Him for all of eternity! When our wounds are healed, they don’t go away; rather, they open up new and magnificent doors for God to work in our lives. They furthermore turn into resources of grace for others. We can offer others our missionary credentials and our healed scars. God gives us treasures that we would not otherwise possess through the hardships we must experience.
I can therefore say with absolute certainty that God permitted the catastrophe of my parents’ divorce, not because it was a good thing in and of itself (it was terrible and God’s heart broke as a result of it! ), but because He knew He would bring a greater thing from it. My own marriage to Annie, now 27 years old, our six children, and the tremendous fruitfulness of our life and mission within the Emmanuel Community in Australia, as well as my work with Catholic leaders. In the middle of those difficult times, I experienced the birth of my faith, the development of my prayer life, and the development of my desire to put my confidence in God. I learnt to seek God’s grace since I was aware that human strength alone could not bring about marriage. No matter what storm is raging around, there is only security in total surrender to God.
Therefore, when we read in today’s Gospel that “the stone that the builder’s rejected has become the cornerstone” and that “Jesus Himself was rejected and set aside and thus gave us the grace of the death and resurrection,” we can also understand that God is doing something brand-new and something truly amazing in the trials and mysteries of our lives.
Matthew 21:33-43
Steve Lawrence, a married father of six, works as a consultant for Catholic leaders at Altum Leadership Group. He spent twelve years in Melbourne as a professional Australian football player, served as Sydney World Youth Day’s 2008 director of evangelization and catechesis, and served as the director of Rome’s Emmanuel School of Mission. Raising Fathers Fathering from the Frontline: 12 Men’s Stories and Make Your Mark: Five Hidden Keys to Great Leadership (both Wilkinson, 2019) are his most recent books (Connor Court, 2020).
Peter, do you mean stone?
A popular male given name is Peter. It comes from the Greek name Petros, which was the new name Jesus given to apostle Simon Bar-Jona. Petros is a created, masculine version of the Greek word petra, which means “rock” or “stone.” Piers is an Old English variation.
Foundation Stones, Gemstones of the Bible
Twelve holy stones were brought from the Mountain of God, where Moses received the Ten Commandments, at the very beginning of the Old Testament. They were handed to Moses, whose design is recounted in Exodus 28:15–30 for a holy breastplate for his brother, the high priest Aaron.
Ezekiel Chapter 28 mentions the Tyrus King and includes a list of several of the same gemstones. The book of Ezekiel refers to them as “The Stones Of Fire” and claims that they have the ability to bring forth angels (Ezekiel, Chapter 28:13–16).
Chapter 21 of Revelation lists twelve stones as well. Many people think that the jewels listed in Revelation, Chapter 21, are the same twelve holy stones from the Mountain of GOD, “The Stones of Fire,” that were in Aaron’s BreastPlate of Judgement, notwithstanding the confusion surrounding the numerous names and translations of them.
Jasper, Sapphire, Chalcedony, Emerald, Sardonyx, Sardius, Chrysolite, Beryl, Topaz, Chrysoprasus, Jacinth, and Amethyst are the twelve sacred stones of Revelations.
Many people also think there is a direct connection between the twelve apostles and the twelve diamonds found in Jerusalem’s walls. Andreas, Bishop of Caesurae, was one of the first authors to link the apostles with the symbolism of the twelve gems. The twelve gemstones given to the saints each exactly match those listed in the Revelations text. Each saint was given their unique gemstone.
Biblical References to Gemstones
The stones in the foundations of the wall of New Jerusalem, the valuable stones that were among the King of Tyre’s treasures, and Aaron’s breastplate (Exodus 28: 15-20 and 39:10-13) are thought to be the most significant biblical references to gemstones (Ezekiel 28:13).
Aaron, the head of the high priests’ tribe, was Moses’ brother. One of the first examples of a variety of jewels being used as adornment and emblems is on his breastplate. The Bible refers to it as the decision-making breastplate. Each of the Israelite tribes’ names were engraved on it, and it contained twelve priceless diamonds. Four rows of stones were used: one with a sardius, topaz, and carbuncle; another with an emerald, sapphire, and diamond; a third with a ligure, agate, and amethyst; and a fourth with a beryl, onyx, and jasper. Each stone was secured with a gold buckle, clasp, or ouch.
High priests have worn garments resembling Aaron’s breastplate or gorget since the time of Aaron in the 13th century BC. When speaking with God about the path the Israelites should take, the priests would wear these clothes. According to Josephus, the priest’s girdle served as the ocean that circled the earth, while the breastplate represented the planet itself. He mistook the twelve stones for the twelve months or the signs of the zodiac. The bells, pomegranates, and headgear of the priests stood for thunder, lightning, and heaven. The Jews had always wished for Jerusalem to be rebuilt since Solomon’s temple was destroyed and they were brought prisoner to Babylon in the sixth century BCE. The New Jerusalem wall’s successive foundations were adorned with numerous valuable stones. Jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolyte, beryl, topaz, chrysoprasus, jacinth, and amethyst were the stones used for the first through twelfth foundations, respectively. Jasper was used to make the actual wall. The stones closely resemble those Aaron and the subsequent high priests wore.
Ezekiel (28:13) describes the Garden of Eden as having “every precious stone,” including beryl, carbuncle, diamond, emerald, gold, jasper, onyx, sapphire, sardius, and topaz, and that “the workmanship of thy tablets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.” This is in reference to the treasures of Hiram I, king of Tyre in the Tyre served as the hub of a huge trading empire that conducted business with Egypt, Arabia, and Mesopotamia, making the monarch very wealthy. Hiram contributed to Solomon’s temple construction.
Now let’s discuss the key precious stones mentioned individually and their meaning in each of these three significant biblical passages.
The second stone in the third row of the breastplate was agate, which was considered to represent the Israelite Aser tribe. The stone was thought to bring good fortune, longevity, and health. It was transported to Palestine by traders in their caravans from countries including Babylonia, Persia, Saba, and Reema (Ezekiel 27:22). Up to the Middle Ages, agate was thought to have healing properties that could ward off poisons, communicable illnesses, and fever. Agate is available in many vivid colors. The purpose of red agate was to enhance vision.
The tribe of Issachar is symbolized with amethyst. It can be discovered in the wall foundations, the breastplate, and the king’s treasury. Intoxication was considered to be avoided by this stone. For this reason, drinkers would wear an amethyst amulet. It is meant to give true, unadulterated affection. It resembles red wine in color since it is a vivid purple.
Beryl, which may be found in the breastplate and the wall foundations, is considered to represent the Nephtali tribe. Although it can also be white or pink, the color ranges from pale blue to yellowish green. It has to do with joy and eternal youth.
Carbuncle, which appears in the top row of the breastplate and the King of Tyre’s treasure, is associated with the Judaean tribe. It has a bright red color. When you hold it up to the sun, it appears to be burning coal.
Carnelian is the first stone (sard) in the breastplate and can be a blood red color or a light skin tone. Additionally, it can be seen in the king’s treasure and the wall foundations of the celestial city. The stone carnelian was useful in avoiding bad luck.
One of the stones in the wall foundations is chalkedony. It is translucent and has a milky or grayish appearance. It was intended to cure depression.
Chrysolyte is a member of the Zabulon tribe. It is a stone in the wall’s foundation. Its orangey golden hue cheered the heart, helped people overcome a fear of the dark, and chased the devil away. It was intended to treat eye conditions.
One of the priceless stones in the king’s treasury was a diamond, which was also in the breastplate. It represents purity, upholds tranquility, and averts storms.
The tribe of Levy is a representation of Emerald. The breastplate, the pillars of the walls, and the treasures of Tyre all contain it. It is a vivid green and glitters. A green beryl is what makes up emerald. It was intended to protect or improve vision. It represents invincibility and immortality.
The hyacinth is a cornerstone. It has a reddish-orange tint and gave sight to the second eye.
The Benjamin tribe is represented by Jasper, who is in the breastplate. Jasper made up the New Jerusalem wall itself. It imparts strength and knowledge, is opaque, and is available in most colors.
The Gad tribe is represented by the stone known as Ligurus, which is found in the breastplate and wall foundations.
The Joseph tribe’s stone onyx can be seen in the breastplate. It has to do with marital contentment. It is predominantly white and black with some brown.
The king’s riches, wall foundations, and armor are all made of sapphire. It stands for the Dan people. Its lovely blue hue encourages consistency, sincerity, and goodness.
All three significant biblical allusions to priceless stones mention topaz. It denotes happiness and camaraderie.
The foundations of the New Jerusalem’s wall, the King of Tyre’s wealth, and other stones are mentioned in numerous other biblical passages, but these three and their stones are generally regarded as the most significant.
Exodus 39:8-14 (ESV)
8 He skillfully crafted the breastpiece in the ephod style out of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, as well as finely twined linen. It had nine sides. They enlarged the breastpiece twice as big, doubling both its length and its width. 10 And they placed four rows of stones inside it. Sardius, topaz, and carbuncle made up the first row; emerald, sapphire, and diamond made up the second row; jacinth, agate, and amethyst made up the third row; and beryl, onyx, and jasper made up the fourth row. They were encased in gold filigree settings. 14 There were twelve stones, each with a name derived from one of Israel’s sons. They resembled signet rings, with the names of the twelve tribes etched on each one.
Whatever version of the Bible you read—Protestant, Catholic, Greek, Hebrew, Egyptian, Babylonian, or Assyrian—you will notice that the names and placement of the stones in the breastplate vary. This occurred because gemstones were not given distinct names like they are now. Many were given localized names. Some, like Chalcedony, had the name of the city or nation of origin (Turkey). In those days, they did not examine the content or crystalline shape of these popular stones.
Revelation 21:15-21
15 The person who spoke with me also had a gold measuring rod that he used to gauge the size of the city’s gates and walls. 16 The city is arranged as a square, with its length and width being equal. He used his rod to measure the city, which was 12,000 stades. It is equal in height, width, and length. 17 He measured the wall as well, and it was 144 cubits long by human standards, which is also an angelic standard. 18 While the city was made of pure, transparent gold, the wall was constructed of jasper. 19 Every form of jewel was set into the foundations of the city wall. The first stone was jasper, followed by sapphire in second place, agate in third, emerald in fourth, 20 onyx in fifth, carnelian in sixth, chrysolite in seventh, beryl in eighth, topaz in ninth, chrysoprase in ten, jacinth in eleven, and amethyst in twelve. 21 The city’s street was built of pure gold and was as transparent as glass, while the city’s twelve gates were made out of one pearl apiece.
Even though the ancient people were not well-versed in the study of mineralogy, they did give names to the numerous widely utilized stones and minerals of the time. The mineral, gem, or kind of stone they utilized can be directly linked to a number of things. Some, though, are forever obscured by the cloak of time. Lack of availability of exact information regarding the qualities, particularly hue. As a result, there is a lot of speculation in the literature. Confusion has been increased by the translations of the original Hebrew and later translations from the ancient Greek language.
Ezekiel 28:12-13
“You were the epitome of perfection, brimming with knowledge and flawless in appearance. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone, including sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle, as well as sardius, topaz, and diamond, as well as beryl, onyx, and jasper, served as your covering. Your settings and engravings were made of gold. They were ready on the day you were created.