Revelation 21:20; All Manner of Precious Stones (2)

Revelation 21:20 (KJV) 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 

Verse 20 identifies the material of the remaining eight foundations – The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

The fifth foundation stone was “sardonyx”, a word formed by combining sardion “red carnelian” and onyx “white”. This is a white stone with layers of red or brown in even planes. The suggestion has been that this was Joseph’s stone.

A “sardis” stone comprised the sixth foundation. As noted in connection with Revelation 4:3, the Sardis was a red jewel. Perhaps it was a carbuncle with a suggested relationship to Levi in the high priest’s breastplate or another red stone, the ruby, related to Reuben (Ford).

Revelation 4:3 (KJV)  And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 

The seventh foundation stone “chrysolite”, a stone of golden colour as the word’s etymology “gold” plus “stone” implies. It resembles a yellow beryl or a golden jasper. The modern chrysolite is merely a hard greenish mineral with no particular value (Moffatt). The suggested tie of this stone is to Asher (Ford).

The word for the eighth foundation “beryl” occurs only here in the New Testament. It also appears in Exodus 28:20 as one of the stones in the fourth row of the priest’s breast piece. This stone was very similar to the emerald, but was blue or sea-green in colour and had higher opacity.

Exodus 28:20 (KJV) And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

The “topaz” of the ninth foundation stone has a golden-greenish colour. The Greek word appears only here in the New Testament. Exodus 28:17 suggest as the second stone in the first row of the breastplate.

Exodus 28:17 (KJV) And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

The noun “chrysoprasus” occurs occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. Its truculent golden-free colour is a mark of the tenth foundation. It is somewhat similar to beryl, but of a paler green colour.

The “jacinth” of the eleventh foundation is violet. The bluish smoke of Revelation 9:17 “hyacinth” has the same etymological lineage as this term. The “jacinth is one of the stones on the third row of the breastplate.

Revelation 9:17 (KJV)  And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 

The final foundation is made of “amethyst”. The Greek word occurs only here in the New Testament. It has one of the stones on the third row of the breastplate (Exodus 28:19). The stone has a violet and purple colour that is more brilliant than the “jacinth”.

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 471-472]