EXHIBIT OF BIBLICAL ANTIQUITIES. 981 



The precious stones exhibited were as follows: 



IIUBV, a variety of coriiuduin (five specimens). — Ruby is given on the 

 margin of the Ilevised Version for the Hebrew odein, which is also, 

 however, rendered carneliau by some authorities. The Hebrew name 

 indicates reddish stone.' 



Topaz. — Topaz is the probable rendering of Hebrew pitdah, men- 

 tioned in the book of Job (xxviii, 19) as coming from Ethiopia. 



(tArnet carbuncle (seven specimens). — Carbuncle is given on the 

 margin of tlie Revised Version for the Hebrew nofek and in the text 

 for the Revised Version for hareqeth.- 



Emerald. — Given in the text of the Revised Version for the Hebrew 

 no/ek, and in the margin for Hebrew bareqeth and (Ireek smaragdos. 



Sapphire, a variety of corundum (four specimens). — Hebrew sappir 

 and Greek sapfeiros are identical with the English uame, which is the 

 same as that in all modern languages. Some, however, assume that 

 these names in the Bible signify lapis lazuli. 



Sardonyx, a variety of quartz (two specimens). — Sardonyx is given 

 on the margin of the Revised Version for Hebrew yahalom? 



Diamond (one specimen). — The Hebrew yalialom in the High Priest's 

 breastplate. Exodus xxviii, 18, is rendered "diamond" in the English 

 version and by Luther. But the diamond could not have been used in 

 the breastplat-e, because the Hebrews knew of no means of engraving 

 a uame upon it. In all probability, however, the diamond is under- 

 stood by Hebrew shamir, Jeremiah xvii, 1 : Ezekiel iii, 9 ', Zechariah 

 vii, 12, where it is si)oken of as an object used for engraving, and of 

 extreme hardness. 



White sapphire adamant, a variety of corundum (two specimens). 



Jacinth (three specimens). — Jacinth is assumed by some to be the 

 Hebrew leshem. 



Agate, a variety of quartz (three specimens). — Agate is agreed to 

 be the Hebrew sheho. 



Amethyst, a variety of quartz (three specimens). — Amethyst renders 

 the Hebrew ahlamah. It is so called in Greek because it was thought 

 to be a charm against drunkenness. The Hebrews popularly derived 

 it from halam, to dream, and supposed that it brought pleasant dreams. 

 Other etymologies have, however, been j)roposed. 



Beryl (two specimens). — Beryl is given for the Hebrew tarshish, 

 Revised Version text, and shohatn, Revised Version margin. 



Chalcedony, a variety of quartz (six specimens). — One of the 

 stones enumerated in the description of the foundation of the Heavenly 

 City (Revelation xxi, 19). Some assume that tarshish in the High 

 Priest's breastplate (Exodus xxviii, 20), means chalcedony. (So the 

 Revised Version margin.) Topaz is also given for this stone. 



' Where no references are given to these names, it may be assumed that they occur 

 in the passages in Exodus, Ezekiel, and Revelations mentioned above. 

 * Exodus xxviii, 18. 



