Lexical Summary sappir: Sapphire Original Word: סַפִּיר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sapphire From caphar; a gem (perhaps used for scratching other substances), probably the sapphire -- sapphire. see HEBREW caphar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition a sapphire NASB Translation lapis lazuli (2), lapis lazuli* (1), sapphire (5), sapphires (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs סַמִּיר noun [masculine] sapphire, perhaps also lapis lazuli (compare DiExodus 24:10 NowArchaeology i. 131) (Late Hebrew id., and סַמְמִּירִינוֺן; ᵑ7 סַמִּרִינוֺן; ᵑ6  ; loan-word from Sanskrit canipriya according to LagGes. Abh. 72 LewyFremdw. 56 compare Greek σάπφειρος); — absolute ׳ס Exodus 24:10 8t.; pluralסַמִּירִים Isaiah 54:11; Songs 5:14; — with other jewels as ornaments of prince Ezekiel 28:13; in high priest's breastplate Exodus 28:18; Exodus 39:11; found in mines Job 28:6, costly Job 28:16 compare Isaiah 54:11; taking high polish Lamentations 4:7 (in figurative); שֵׁן מְעֻלֶּפֶת סַמִּירִים Songs 5:14 ivory covered with sapphires (in figurative); lapis lazuli, according to Hi BU Du and others in Job 28:6 (עַפְרֹת זָהָב לוֺ being understood of sparkling crystals of iron pyrites in this), but see Di; lapis lazuli may be intended in ׳לִבְנַת הַסּ Exodus 24:10 (J) pavement of sapphire (in theoph.), compare ׳אֶבֶןסֿ Ezekiel 1:26; Ezekiel 10:1. Topical Lexicon Hebrew Termסַפִּיר (sappir) – a precious blue stone, usually identified with sapphire or lapis lazuli. Physical and Cultural Background In the ancient Near East the deep-blue gemstone evoked the color of a flawless sky and the canopy of the heavens. Whether mined in Afghanistan, Egypt’s Eastern Desert, or imported through Phoenician trade, the stone symbolized purity, transcendence, and regal authority. Because its hue was associated with the firmament, it naturally lent itself to theological imagery describing the throne or presence of God. Occurrences and Thematic Clusters 1. Manifestations of God’s Glory 2. Covenant Worship and Priesthood 3. Wisdom’s Incomparable Worth 4. Poetic and Prophetic Imagery of Beauty 5. Edenic and Royal Associations Theological Significance Heavenly Presence From Sinai to Ezekiel, sapphire imagery consistently frames the locus of divine self-revelation. The stone’s transparency “as the sky itself” (Exodus 24:10) affirms that God’s governance is pure, elevated, and yet graciously disclosed. Priestly Mediation Set upon the high priest’s breastpiece, the sapphire underscores that intercession rests on heaven’s stability. The priest does not approach on the basis of earthly status but upon heavenly authorization. Judgment and Restoration Lamentations 4:7 contrasts former brilliance with post-siege degradation, while Isaiah 54:11 promises a rebuilt Jerusalem founded on sapphires. The gemstone thus frames both the severity of covenant curses and the certainty of redemptive restoration. Wisdom and Value Job’s discourse employs sapphire as a superlative measure of earthly wealth, only to declare God-fearing obedience as of infinitely greater worth. True wisdom is found not in possessing heavenly-looking stones but in submitting to the heavenly Lord. Christological Echoes New Testament descriptions of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19) include sapphire among its foundation stones, culminating the Old Testament trajectory. The city’s brilliance embodies the completed work of the great High Priest, Jesus Christ, who secures permanent access to God’s sapphire-like throne (Hebrews 4:14-16). Ministry Applications • Worship: Teach worshipers to behold God’s holiness and accessibility, using the sapphire pavement of Sinai as a reminder that covenant communion is both transcendent and intimate. Summary סַפִּיר threads through Scripture as a symbol of heaven’s purity, covenant fidelity, and incomparable worth. Whether beneath God’s feet at Sinai, gleaming on the high priest’s heart, or crowning the foundations of a restored Zion, the sapphire points to the unchanging Majesty who calls His people into holy, hopeful fellowship. Forms and Transliterations בַּסַּפִּירִֽים׃ בספירים׃ הַסַּפִּ֔יר הספיר וְסַפִּֽיר׃ וספיר׃ סַפִּ֔יר סַפִּ֖יר סַפִּ֣יר סַפִּ֥יר סַפִּירִֽים׃ ספיר ספירים׃ bas·sap·pî·rîm bassappiRim bassappîrîm has·sap·pîr hassapPir hassappîr sap·pî·rîm sap·pîr sapPir sappîr sappiRim sappîrîm vesapPir wə·sap·pîr wəsappîrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 24:10 HEB: כְּמַעֲשֵׂה֙ לִבְנַ֣ת הַסַּפִּ֔יר וּכְעֶ֥צֶם הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם NAS: there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear KJV: work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body INT: work paved of sapphire itself as the sky Exodus 28:18 Exodus 39:11 Job 28:6 Job 28:16 Songs 5:14 Isaiah 54:11 Lamentations 4:7 Ezekiel 1:26 Ezekiel 10:1 Ezekiel 28:13 11 Occurrences |
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