558 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1900. 



Chalcedony. — The Hebrew tarxfMi, Exodus xxviii, 20, has 1)een rendered chal- 

 cedony. In Revelation xxi, 19, it is enumerated in the description of the founda- 

 tion of the New Jerusalem. 



Chrysolite. — See Revelation xxi, 20. The Hebrew t(ir.shl.<ih, Exodus xxviii, 20, has 

 been rendered chrysolite. 



Chrysoprase. — One of the stones in the foundation of the Heavenly City, Revela- 

 tion xxi, 20. 



Diamond, Hebrew shamir. — See Jeremiah xvii, 1; Ezekiel iii, 9; and Zechariah 

 vii, 12, where it is spoken of as an object of extreme liardness. In the Authorized 

 Version the Hebrew yahafom, Exodus xxviii, 18, is rendered diamond. 



Emerald, Hebrew barekriJi. — One of the stones in the 1)reastplate; also see Revela- 

 tion iv, 3. 



Jacmth, Hebrew leshem. — A stone in the breastplate, Exodus xxviii, 19. The 

 eleventh foundation of the Heavenly Jerusalem, Revelation xxi, 20. 



Janper, Hebrew yashpeh. — A stone in the breastplate. Exodus xxviii, 20. Men- 

 tioned as adorning the Prince of Tyrus, Ezekiel xxviii, 13. One of the stones 

 enumerated in the description of the Heavenly City, Revelation xxi, 19. 



Onyx, Hebrew shoham. — One of the stones in the breastplate. Exodus xxviii, 20; 

 see also Genesis, ii, 12; and Ezekiel xxviii, 13. According to certain renderings 

 the shoham is beryl. Shohams set in gold were put on each of the two shoulder 

 straps of the ephod of the high priest, and the two were engraved with the names of 

 the twelve tribes, six on each, Exodus xxviii, 12. 



Ruby, Hebrew nofek or odem. — One of the gems in the breastplate, Exodus 

 xxviii, 17; see also Ezekiel xxvii, 13. 



Sapphire, Hebrew sappir. — One of the stones in the breastplate. Exodus xxviii, 18; 

 also mentioned in Ezekiel xxviii, 13, and Revelation xxi, 19. Some authorities 

 render sappir as lapis lazuli, and not sapphire. 



Sardonyx, Hebrew yahalom. — One of the stones in the breastplate. Exodus 

 xxviii, 18. 



Topaz, Hebrew pitdah. — One of the stones in the breastplate. Exodus xxviii, 17; 

 also mentioned in Ezekiel xxviii, 13, and in Revelation xxi, 20. 



Pearl. — It is thought that pearl is meant by the Hebrew peninim., a word often 

 employed in the Old Testament as a figure of something valuable and precious; see 

 Proverbs iii, 5; xxxi, 10, and Job xxviii, 18. Jesus uses the pearl for the same 

 purpose in Matthew vii, 6, and xiii, 45. / 



VIII. MYSTICAL PROPERTIES OF GEMS. 



Man has endowed gems with talismanic, curative, and supernatural 

 powers. Certain gems preserved him from incubi, vampires, and 

 kindred terrors; others preserved him from the powers of sorcerv or 

 conferred the powers of witchcraft; by their aid he controlled the 

 spirits of evil or was protected from their malign influence. With a 

 suitable gem he could foretell the future, review the past, or conjure 

 up pictures of events taking place at a distance. Protected by their 

 mystic influences he feared neither plague nor poison, while his 

 belief in the marvelous efficacy of their curative powers gave them a 

 place among his most potent remedies. 



The virtues of gems were diverse. Some procured the favor of the 

 great; others rendered their possessois amiable, wise, strong, and brave; 

 some protected him from lire, lightning, and tempests; others from 



