4555. sardinos

Lexical Summary

sardinos: Sardine; Sardius

Original Word: σαρδῖνος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: sardinos
Pronunciation: sar-DEE-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (sar'-dee-nos)
KJV: sardine
Word Origin: [(properly) from an uncertain base]

1. sardine, i.e. a gem, so called
{G3037 being implied}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

sardine.

From the same as sardios; sardine (lithos being implied), i.e. A gem, so called -- sardine.

see GREEK sardios

see GREEK lithos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
variant reading for sardion, q.v.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4555: σάρδινος

σάρδινος, σαρδινου, ὁ, Revelation 4:3 Rec., equivalent to σάρδιον, which see

Topical Lexicon

Overview

σάρδινος (Strong’s Greek 4555) denotes what later Greek writers called the sardius or carnelian, a fiery red variety of quartz valued for its brilliance. Though this particular adjective form is not cited in the Greek New Testament, its cognate noun (Strong’s Greek 4556) does appear, and the concept is rooted deeply in biblical revelation, spanning the tabernacle, prophetic visions, and the ultimate consummation of redemptive history.

Old Testament Foundations

1. High Priest’s Breastpiece
• The Hebrew אָדֶם (odem) in the first row of the breastpiece stones is commonly identified with the sardius. “Mount on it four rows of stones: The first row shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald” (Exodus 28:17; cf. Exodus 39:10).
• As the first stone, it represented Reuben, whose name means “See, a son” (Genesis 29:32). This juxtaposes the vivid red stone with the parental cry of recognition, prefiguring the Father’s own declaration over His Son (Matthew 3:17).

2. Covenant Significance
• The breastpiece stones lay over the High Priest’s heart “when he enters the Holy Place, as a continual memorial before the LORD” (Exodus 28:29). The sardius thus belongs to the permanent testimony that God bears His people upon His heart.

Historical and Cultural Context

• Ancient lapidaries sourced the sardius near Sardis in Lydia, explaining the stone’s name. Greek and Roman artisans carved signet rings and intaglios from it because its hardness allowed fine detail while its color drew immediate attention.
• In rabbinic lore, the sardius symbolized blood and life, appropriate for a stone linked to atonement ministry. Early Christian writers, such as Tertullian, saw in its redness a figure of Christ’s passion.

Eschatological Vision

1. Throne Room Glory
• “The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian” (Revelation 4:3). The scarlet glow frames the Almighty’s throne, joining jasper’s translucent perfection. Together they signal both holiness and covenant mercy—an awe-inspiring amalgam that John immediately sets before the myriad worshipers.

2. New Jerusalem Foundations
• In the sixth foundation the Apostle lists “carnelian” (Revelation 21:20). The reappearance of the stone, now built into the eternal city, shows that the covenant symbolized in the priestly garment finds complete fulfillment in the perfected dwelling of God with humanity (Revelation 21:3).

Symbolism and Theology

• Redemption: The red hue evokes sacrificial blood, underscoring the cost of atonement (Hebrews 9:12).
• Revelation of the Son: As the ruby of Reuben announced, “See, a son,” so the sardius in Revelation encircles the enthroned Son whose blood secures eternal life (Revelation 5:9).
• Judgment and Mercy: Fire often accompanies divine judgment (Isaiah 6:6–7; 2 Peter 3:7). The gleaming sardius signals that even judgment is held within the covenant love emanating from God’s throne.

Ministry Implications

1. Worship
• The heavenly scene invites corporate adoration centered on God’s holiness and redeeming love. Churches can employ imagery—colors in vestments or sanctuary art—to remind worshipers of these truths, always ensuring Christ remains central.

2. Preaching and Teaching
• Linking Exodus 28, Revelation 4, and Revelation 21 provides a vivid biblical-theological arc: from priestly representation, through heavenly intercession, to consummated union. Such connections enrich sermons on Christ’s high-priestly ministry (Hebrews 7:25).

3. Spiritual Formation
• The sardius challenges believers to cultivate hearts aflame with holiness. As the stone lay over Aaron’s heart, so disciples are urged to “keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21), allowing His searching fire to refine motives (1 Corinthians 3:13).

Related Terms

• Jasper (Strong’s Greek 2393) often pairs with sardius, portraying complementary aspects of divine glory.
• Ὀδεμ (Hebrew) and σάρδιος (Strong’s Greek 4556) supply the lexical bridge but also broaden the gemstone’s canonical footprint.

Summary

While σάρδινος itself is absent from extant New Testament manuscripts, the scriptural trajectory of its gemstone—spanning the High Priest’s breastpiece and reaching the radiant foundations of the New Jerusalem—presents a consistent testimony to God’s redemptive purpose. The fiery stone calls the Church to behold the Lamb whose blood secures access to the throne, sustains worship today, and will gleam forever in the city of God.

Englishman's Concordance

Σαμψών — 1 Occ.
σανδάλια — 2 Occ.
σανίσιν — 1 Occ.
Σαούλ — 9 Occ.
σαπρὰ — 1 Occ.
σαπρὸν — 6 Occ.
σαπρὸς — 1 Occ.
Σαπφίρῃ — 1 Occ.
σάπφιρος — 1 Occ.
σαργάνῃ — 1 Occ.
Σάρδεσιν — 2 Occ.
σαρδίῳ — 1 Occ.
σάρδιον — 1 Occ.
σαρδόνυξ — 1 Occ.
Σάρεπτα — 1 Occ.
σαρκικὰ — 2 Occ.
σαρκικῇ — 1 Occ.
σαρκικῶν — 1 Occ.
σαρκικοί — 2 Occ.
σαρκικοῖς — 1 Occ.