Lexical Summary ramoth: coral Original Word: רָאמָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance coral From ra'am; something high in value, i.e. Perhaps coral -- coral. see HEBREW ra'am NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom raam Definition perhaps corals NASB Translation coral (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. רָאמוֺת noun [feminine plural] usually corals (so Ki; black corals Thes (מְּנִינִים = red corals); compare Arabic  , sea-shell, WeHeid. 2. 163); — as costly Job 28:18, as merchandise, רָאמֹת Ezekiel 27:16; — רָאמוֺת לֶאֱוִיל חָכְמוֺת Proverbs 24:7, reading and sense dubious, see Toy. רָֽאֲמָה, II. רָאמוֺת, רָאמַת see רום, II. רמה. above Topical Lexicon Material Identity A hard, calcareous substance formed by marine polyps, coral was prized in the ancient Near East for its deep red hues and ability to be polished into beads, inlays, and other ornaments. Excavations around the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf have yielded coral jewelry dating back to the second millennium B.C., confirming its long-standing status as a luxury item. Biblical Occurrences Job 28:18 employs coral to illustrate the highest levels of earthly wealth: “Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; the worth of wisdom is more than rubies”. Ezekiel 27:16 lists it among the luxury commodities brought to Tyre’s markets: “Aram was your customer because of your many products; they traded your merchandise with emeralds, purple, embroidered cloth, fine linen, coral, and rubies”. Economic and Historical Context 1. Trade routes. Ezekiel’s oracle against Tyre reflects the extensive Phoenician network that linked the eastern Mediterranean with Arabia, India, and North Africa. Coral likely reached Tyre from the Red Sea or Indian Ocean, arriving through Aramean intermediaries (“Aram”) who controlled inland caravan routes. Symbolic and Theological Significance • Superlative worth. In Job’s hymn to wisdom, coral functions as a rhetorical foil: even treasures most people never see cannot be compared with divine wisdom. The placement between crystal and rubies builds an escalating scale of value that culminates in the priceless. Connections with Other Biblical Imagery Wisdom’s superiority to jewels reappears in Proverbs 3:15; 8:11; 20:15. Although those verses mention “rubies” or “gold,” the logic mirrors Job’s comparison with coral. Jesus expands the theme in Matthew 13:45-46, where the merchant sells everything for a single pearl—another marine gem—illustrating the surpassing value of the kingdom of heaven. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Valuing the intangible. Modern culture prizes luxury goods, accolades, and experiences; Scripture counters by elevating wisdom, godliness, and eternal life above such status symbols. Preaching Job 28 can challenge congregations to assess their true treasure (Matthew 6:19-21). Summary Though mentioned only twice, coral stands as a vivid emblem of material splendor in Scripture. Its costly allure magnifies the inestimable worth of divine wisdom and exposes the hollowness of prideful wealth. By contrasting temporal treasures with eternal values, the biblical writers direct hearts toward the fear of the Lord, “the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). Forms and Transliterations וְרָאמֹ֣ת וראמת רָאמ֣וֹת ראמות rā·mō·wṯ raMot rāmōwṯ veraMot wə·rā·mōṯ wərāmōṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 28:18 HEB: רָאמ֣וֹת וְ֭גָבִישׁ לֹ֣א NAS: Coral and crystal KJV: No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: INT: Coral and crystal are not Ezekiel 27:16 2 Occurrences |
    |