Revelation 21:19
New International Version
The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

New Living Translation
The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

English Standard Version
The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

Berean Standard Bible
The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

Berean Literal Bible
the foundations of the wall of the city having been adorned with every precious stone: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

King James Bible
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

New King James Version
The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

New American Standard Bible
The foundation stones of the city wall were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

NASB 1995
The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

NASB 1977
The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Legacy Standard Bible
The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Amplified Bible
The foundation stones of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Christian Standard Bible
The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of jewel: the first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

American Standard Version
The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Contemporary English Version
Each of the twelve foundations was a precious stone. The first was jasper, the second was sapphire, the third was agate, the fourth was emerald,

English Revised Version
The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The foundations of the city wall were beautifully decorated with all kinds of gems: The first foundation was gray quartz, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

Good News Translation
The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation stone was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

International Standard Version
The foundations of the city wall were decorated with all kinds of gems: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

Majority Standard Bible
The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

NET Bible
The foundations of the city's wall are decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

New Heart English Bible
The foundations of the city's wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Webster's Bible Translation
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

Weymouth New Testament
As for the foundation-stones of the city wall, which were beautified with various kinds of precious stones, the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius,

World English Bible
The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire; the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the foundations of the wall of the city have been adorned with every precious stone: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

Berean Literal Bible
the foundations of the wall of the city having been adorned with every precious stone: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

Young's Literal Translation
and the foundations of the wall of the city with every precious stone have been adorned; the first foundation jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the foundations of the wall of the city adorned with every precious stone. The first foundation a jasper; the second, a sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth an emerald:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper: the second, sapphire: the third, a chalcedony: the fourth, an emerald:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was of jasper, the second was of sapphire, the third was of chalcedony, the fourth was of emerald,

New American Bible
The foundations of the city wall were decorated with every precious stone; the first course of stones was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,

New Revised Standard Version
The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second sapphire; the third chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the foundation of the wall of the city is adorned with precious stones; and the first foundation, Jasper red-blue-yellow Quartz, and the second, Sapphire, and the third, white Chalcedony, and the fourth, Emerald,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every costly stone: the first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Godbey New Testament
And the foundations of the wall of the city were ornamented with every precious stone: the first foundation, jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedon; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx;

Haweis New Testament
And the foundations of the walls of the city were adorned with every precious stone: the first foundation a jasper; the second a sapphire; the third a chalcedony; the fourth an emerald;

Mace New Testament
the foundations of the citywall were embellished with all manner of precious stones, the first foundation was of jasper; the second, of sapphire; the third, of chalcedony; the fourth, of an emerald;

Weymouth New Testament
As for the foundation-stones of the city wall, which were beautified with various kinds of precious stones, the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius,

Worrell New Testament
The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every manner of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Worsley New Testament
And the foundations of the wall of the city were set off each with precious stones: the first foundation a jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The New Jerusalem
18The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.…

Cross References
Exodus 28:17-20
And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones: In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald; / in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; / in the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; ...

Isaiah 54:11-12
“O afflicted city, lashed by storms, without solace, surely I will set your stones in antimony and lay your foundations with sapphires. / I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.

1 Kings 7:10
The foundations were laid with large, costly stones, some ten cubits long and some eight cubits long.

Ezekiel 28:13
You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation.

1 Chronicles 29:2
Now with all my ability I have made provision for the house of my God—gold for the gold articles, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and slabs of marble—all in abundance.

Job 28:16-19
It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. / Neither gold nor crystal can compare to it, nor jewels of fine gold be exchanged for it. / Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. ...

Isaiah 60:17
Instead of bronze I will bring you gold; I will bring silver in place of iron, bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stones. I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler.

1 Kings 10:2
She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind.

2 Chronicles 9:10
(The servants of Hiram and of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir also brought algum wood and precious stones.

Song of Solomon 5:14
His arms are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is polished ivory bedecked with sapphires.

Matthew 13:45-46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

1 Corinthians 3:12
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,

Revelation 4:3
The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne.

Revelation 21:11
shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal.

Revelation 17:4
The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.


Treasury of Scripture

And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

the foundations.

Job 28:16-19
It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire…

Proverbs 3:15
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Isaiah 54:11,12
O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires…

sapphire.

Exodus 28:17-21
And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row…

Exodus 29:10-14
And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock…

Jump to Previous
Adorned Agate Bases Beautified Beautiful City City's Emerald Fifth First Foundation Foundations Fourth Garnished Jasper Jewel Kinds Manner ones Ornaments Precious Sapphire Sardius Sardonyx Second Sixth Sorts Stones Third Various Wall Walls
Jump to Next
Adorned Agate Bases Beautified Beautiful City City's Emerald Fifth First Foundation Foundations Fourth Garnished Jasper Jewel Kinds Manner ones Ornaments Precious Sapphire Sardius Sardonyx Second Sixth Sorts Stones Third Various Wall Walls
Revelation 21
1. A new heaven and a new earth.
10. The heavenly Jerusalem, with a full description thereof.
23. She needs no sun, the glory of God being her light.
24. The kings of the earth bring their riches unto her.














The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone:
This phrase highlights the splendor and divine craftsmanship of the New Jerusalem. The use of precious stones signifies beauty, value, and permanence. In ancient times, such stones were symbols of wealth and status, often used in royal settings. Biblically, precious stones are associated with the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:17-20), symbolizing God's people and His covenant with them. The adornment of the city walls with these stones reflects the glory and holiness of God's eternal kingdom.

The first foundation was jasper,
Jasper is often described as a clear, crystalline stone, possibly resembling a diamond. In Revelation 4:3, God Himself is described as having an appearance like jasper, indicating purity and divine majesty. The use of jasper as the first foundation stone underscores the purity and holiness of the New Jerusalem, setting the tone for the entire city.

the second sapphire,
Sapphire is a deep blue stone, symbolizing heaven and divine revelation. In Exodus 24:10, the pavement under God's feet is described as being like sapphire, suggesting a connection to the divine presence. The use of sapphire in the foundation may represent the heavenly origin and nature of the New Jerusalem, emphasizing its connection to God's throne.

the third chalcedony,
Chalcedony is a translucent stone, often with a bluish hue. It is less frequently mentioned in the Bible, but its inclusion here suggests a unique aspect of beauty and diversity in God's creation. The presence of chalcedony in the foundation may symbolize the variety and richness of God's kingdom, where every believer has a place.

the fourth emerald,
Emerald is a bright green stone, symbolizing life, renewal, and immortality. In Revelation 4:3, a rainbow resembling an emerald encircles God's throne, indicating His eternal covenant and mercy. The use of emerald in the foundation of the New Jerusalem highlights the promise of eternal life and the renewal of creation in God's presence.

Persons / Places / Events
1. New Jerusalem
The heavenly city described in Revelation 21, representing the eternal dwelling place of God with His people.

2. John the Apostle
The author of the Book of Revelation, who received the vision of the New Jerusalem while exiled on the island of Patmos.

3. Precious Stones
Symbolic elements used to describe the beauty and glory of the New Jerusalem's foundations, each stone representing different aspects of God's splendor and majesty.
Teaching Points
The Beauty of God's Dwelling
The use of precious stones in the foundations of the New Jerusalem highlights the incomparable beauty and value of God's eternal kingdom. Believers are encouraged to set their hearts on heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones.

Symbolism of Foundations
The foundations adorned with precious stones symbolize the strength and permanence of God's promises. Just as these stones are enduring, so is the faithfulness of God to His people.

God's Glory Reflected
Each stone reflects a different aspect of God's glory and character. As believers, we are called to reflect God's glory in our lives, becoming living stones in His spiritual house.

Unity in Diversity
The variety of stones signifies the diversity within the body of Christ. Each believer, like each stone, has a unique role and beauty, contributing to the overall splendor of God's kingdom.(19) And the foundations of the wall . . .--Better, The foundations of the wall of the city (were) adorned with every precious stone. We may compare the adornment of the harlot (Revelation 17:4). Her robe was decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls. The Bride, the Lamb's wife, has her beautiful ornaments, richer and rarer than those which adorned the world-mistress. The comparison reminds us, in a vivid and figurative way, of our Master's often-repeated teaching. He that saveth his life, loseth it; he that loseth, saveth it; he that is content to pass by the dazzling attractions of the world, refusing splendour from the outstretched hand of Babylon, will win the true spiritual riches. There is no man that has turned away for Christ's sake from the attractions of the world-spirit, that hath forsaken houses and lands for Christ's sake and the gospel, but shall receive manifold more, &c. (Mark 10:28-31). The "jewels of right celestial worth" are part of the heritage of him who can nobly hold cheap the degrading hire of the world. (Comp. Isaiah 54:12.)

The foundation are various. There were in the foundation of the Church diversities of gifts and administrations, but the same Lord and the same spirit. In the heavenly city we have harmony, not monotony; variety, not sameness; unity, not uniformity. The stones are not arranged in the order of the high priest's breastplate, but according to their various shades of colour, beginning from the foundation.

1.Jaspis, dark opaque green.

2.Sapphirus, Lapis-lazuli, opaque blue.

3.Chalcedon, an Emerald of a greenish hue.

4.Smaragdus, bright transparent green. . . .

Verse 19. - And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. Omit "and" (cf. Isaiah 54:12, "All thy borders of pleasant stones"). Foundations (cf. ver. 14). The first foundation was jasper. Probably the diamond (see on Revelation 4:3). The second, sapphire. Thought to be the modern lapis lazuli. It was of a clear blue colour (Exodus 24:10), and very precious (Job 28:16). The third, a chalcedony. Not the modern stone of that name, but a green carbonate of copper, found in the mines of Chalcedon. It was, therefore, a kind of inferior emerald. The fourth, an emerald. The same as the modern stone (cf. Revelation 4:3).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

foundations
θεμέλιοι (themelioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2310: From a derivative of tithemi; something put down, i.e. A substruction.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

city
πόλεως (poleōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

walls
τείχους (teichous)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 5038: A wall, especially of a city. Akin to the base of tikto; a wall.

were adorned
κεκοσμημένοι (kekosmēmenoi)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2885: To put into order; I decorate, deck, adorn. From kosmos; to put in proper order, i.e. Decorate; specially, to snuff.

with every kind of
παντὶ (panti)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

precious
τιμίῳ (timiō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5093: Of great price, precious, honored.

stone:
λίθῳ (lithō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3037: A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.

The
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

first
πρῶτος (prōtos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.

foundation
θεμέλιος (themelios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2310: From a derivative of tithemi; something put down, i.e. A substruction.

[was] jasper,
ἴασπις (iaspis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2393: Jasper; a precious stone. Probably of foreign origin; 'jasper', a gem.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

second
δεύτερος (deuteros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1208: Second; with the article: in the second place, for the second time. As the compare of duo; second.

sapphire,
σάπφιρος (sapphiros)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4552: A sapphire. Of Hebrew origin; a 'sapphire' or lapis-lazuli gem.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

third
τρίτος (tritos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5154: Third. Ordinal from treis; third; neuter a third part, or a third time, thirdly.

chalcedony,
χαλκηδών (chalkēdōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5472: Chalcedony, a small stone of various colors. From chalkos and perhaps eidos; copper-like, i.e. 'chalcedony'.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

fourth
τέταρτος (tetartos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5067: Fourth. Ordinal from tessares; fourth.

emerald,
σμάραγδος (smaragdos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4665: An emerald. Of uncertain derivation; the emerald or green gem so called.


Links
Revelation 21:19 NIV
Revelation 21:19 NLT
Revelation 21:19 ESV
Revelation 21:19 NASB
Revelation 21:19 KJV

Revelation 21:19 BibleApps.com
Revelation 21:19 Biblia Paralela
Revelation 21:19 Chinese Bible
Revelation 21:19 French Bible
Revelation 21:19 Catholic Bible

NT Prophecy: Revelation 21:19 The foundations of the city's wall were (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 21:18
Top of Page
Top of Page