4664. smaragdinos

Lexical Summary

smaragdinos: emerald

Original Word: σμαράγδινος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: smaragdinos
Pronunciation: sma-rag'-dee-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (smar-ag'-dee-nos)
KJV: emerald
NASB: emerald
Word Origin: [from G4665 (σμάραγδος - emerald)]

1. consisting of emerald

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

emerald.

From smaragdos; consisting of emerald -- emerald.

see GREEK smaragdos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from smaragdos
Definition
of emerald, emerald green
NASB Translation
emerald (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4664: σμαράγδινος

σμαράγδινος, σμαραγδινη, σμαραγδινον (σμάραγδος, cf. ἀμεθύστινος, ὑακίνθινος, etc.), of emerald, made of emerald, (see the following word): namely, λίθος, Revelation 4:3. ((Lucian)).

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Usage

Strong’s Greek 4664 appears once in the New Testament, in Revelation 4:3, where John describes “a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald” encircling the heavenly throne. The adjective characterizes the luminous, verdant quality of the bow, helping convey both the majesty and the life-giving freshness that surrounds God’s presence. Though the Greek adjective is rare, the gemstone itself is mentioned several times in the Septuagint and in the Greek text of Revelation when listing the foundational jewels of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19). The single New Testament usage therefore rests on a well-established biblical motif.

Old Testament Background

1. High-Priestly Breastpiece: In the breastpiece of judgment the third stone in the first row is an emerald (Exodus 28:17; Exodus 39:10). Set over Aaron’s heart, the stone joined a constellation of twelve gems representing the tribes. Its placement among the first three stones suggests honor and beauty associated with worship and mediation.
2. Garden of Eden Imagery: In Ezekiel’s lament over the king of Tyre, the prophet lists the gems that adorned Eden, including “emerald” (Ezekiel 28:13). The stone thus belongs to the vocabulary of primordial glory.
3. Covenant Renewal: When Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders beheld God, “under His feet was a work like a pavement of sapphire” (Exodus 24:10). While sapphire is distinct, the broader context of radiant precious stones anticipates the emerald rainbow of Revelation 4:3, where covenant faithfulness is once again in view.

Historical and Cultural Insights

Ancient emeralds were mined in Egypt’s Eastern Desert and in Scythia; the Greeks prized them for their deep green brilliance and counted them symbols of immortality and fertility. Roman authors such as Pliny extolled the stone’s soothing effect on the eyes. Because the Mediterranean world esteemed emeralds as regal and therapeutic, their biblical appearance would immediately evoke splendor, life, and healing.

Theological Significance

1. Majesty and Mercy: In Revelation 4:3 the emerald-like rainbow enveloping the throne recalls the post-flood bow of Genesis 9:16. The color green, tied to living vegetation, highlights God’s gracious promise to preserve life while His throne underscores sovereignty. The vision thus unites transcendence and covenant mercy.
2. New Creation: The prominence of emerald among the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19) locates the gem within eschatological hope. The same gemstone that adorned Eden and the priestly breastpiece now beautifies the eternal city, signaling continuity between creation, redemption, and consummation.
3. Priestly Mediation Fulfilled: What the high priest carried into the Holy Place once a year is magnified in the heavenly temple where Christ ministers perpetually (Hebrews 8:1-2). The emerald glow around the throne suggests that the life-imparting ministry symbolized by the breastpiece has found its perfect reality in the exalted Christ.

Symbolism in Christian Tradition

Early Christian writers saw in the emerald a figure of resurrection and eternal life. Medieval lapidaries linked its greenness to spiritual renewal, drawing on Psalm 23:2, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” The perpetual vitality implicit in the stone’s hue became an emblem of the ever-living Word who “restores my soul.”

Ministry Application

1. Worship: Revelation 4 offers a template for corporate adoration. The emerald-encircled throne invites believers to approach God with reverent awe and confident trust in His covenant faithfulness.
2. Pastoral Encouragement: The emerald rainbow assures the church that divine judgment never eclipses divine mercy. Shepherds can point struggling saints to the throne where life-giving grace shines forth in undimmed green.
3. Eschatological Hope: In times of upheaval the gemstone’s recurring presence—from Eden to the breastpiece to the New Jerusalem—fortifies believers with the certainty that God will complete His restorative purposes.

Related Biblical References

Exodus 28:17; Exodus 39:10; Ezekiel 28:13; Revelation 4:3; Revelation 21:19.

Forms and Transliterations

σμαραγδινω σμαραγδίνω σμαραγδίνῳ σμαραγδίτου smaragdino smaragdinō smaragdínoi smaragdínōi

Englishman's Concordance

Revelation 4:3 Adj-DMS
GRK: ὅμοιος ὁράσει σμαραγδίνῳ
NAS: like an emerald in appearance.
KJV: in sight like unto an emerald.
INT: like in appearance to an emerald

Strong's Greek 4664
1 Occurrence

σμαραγδίνῳ — 1 Occ.