Ligure is a precious stone mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the context of the High Priest's breastplate, also known as the breastplate of judgment. This breastplate was a sacred garment worn by the High Priest of Israel, as described in the Book of Exodus. The breastplate contained twelve stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 28:19 : "The third row will be a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst."
2. Exodus 39:12 : "The third row was a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst."

In these passages, the term "ligure" is traditionally associated with the stone mentioned in the third row of the High Priest's breastplate. However, the Berean Standard Bible translates this stone as "jacinth." The identification of ligure with jacinth is based on historical and linguistic studies, though there is some debate among scholars regarding the exact identification of ancient gemstones.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The High Priest's breastplate was a central element of the priestly garments, symbolizing the High Priest's role as a mediator between God and the people of Israel. Each stone on the breastplate was engraved with the name of one of the tribes, signifying the High Priest's representation of the entire nation before God.

The ligure, or jacinth, as part of this sacred ensemble, held significant religious and cultural importance. The stones were chosen not only for their beauty but also for their symbolic meanings, which were understood within the context of ancient Israelite culture.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical symbolism, gemstones often represent various attributes of God's character or the spiritual qualities of His people. The ligure, like other stones on the breastplate, may have been chosen for its color, brilliance, or other properties that conveyed a deeper spiritual truth.

The use of precious stones in the High Priest's breastplate underscores the value and beauty of God's covenant with Israel. Each stone, including the ligure, served as a reminder of the unique identity and calling of the tribes of Israel, as well as the divine protection and guidance they received.

Linguistic Considerations:

The term "ligure" is derived from the Latin "ligurius," which was used in the Vulgate translation of the Bible. The exact identification of ligure with modern gemstones is challenging due to changes in gemstone nomenclature over the centuries. Some scholars suggest that ligure may have been a type of amber or a similar resinous stone, while others align it with jacinth, a variety of zircon.

Conclusion:

While the precise identification of ligure remains uncertain, its inclusion in the High Priest's breastplate highlights its significance in the religious and cultural life of ancient Israel. The ligure, along with the other stones, served as a tangible representation of the tribes of Israel and their relationship with God, reflecting the beauty and diversity of His creation.Ligure

(Heb. leshem), a precious stone mentioned in (Exodus 28:19; 39:12) as the first in the third row of the high priest's breastplate. It is impossible to say, with any certainty, what stone is denoted by the Hebrew term; but perhaps tourmaline , or more definitely the red variety known as rubellite , has better claims than any other mineral. Rubellite is a hard stone, and used as a gem, and is sometimes sold for red sapphire.

Ligure

Probably the same with the jacinth, a stone in the high priest's breastplate, Exodus 28:19; 39:12, said to have been of a deep and brilliant red color, with a tinge of yellow, and transparent.

(Hebrews leshem) occurs only in Exodus 28:19 and 39:12, as the name of a stone in the third row on the high priest's breastplate. Some have supposed that this stone was the same as the jacinth (q.v.), others that it was the opal. There is now no mineral bearing this name. The "ligurite" is so named from Liguria in Italy, where it was found. (n.) A kind of precious stone.LIGURE

lig'-ur (Exodus 28:19; Exodus 39:12 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "jacinth").

See STONES, PRECIOUS.

3958. leshem -- (a precious stone) perhaps amber or jacinth
... a gem, perhaps the jacinth. From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a gem, perhaps
the jacinth -- ligure. 3957, 3958. leshem. 3959 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3958.htm - 6k

Concerning the Garments of the Priests, and of the High Priest.
... sapphire. The first of the third row was a ligure, then an amethyst, and
the third an agate, being the ninth of the whole number. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 concerning the garments.htm

High Priest
... rows of precious stones; the first row, a serdious, a topaz, and a carbuncle; the
second, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third, a ligure, an agate ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

Introduction.
... ligurion iii. ligurius iii. ligure iii. jacinth or amber achates achates agate agate
amethustos amethystus amethyst amethyst iv. chrusolithos iv. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction 4.htm

A Description of the Temple.
... in a row one way, and four in the other; a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; a
carbuncle, a jasper, and a sapphire; an agate, an amethyst, and a ligure; an onyx ...
/.../chapter 5 a description of 2.htm

Ligure (2 Occurrences)
...LIGURE. lig'-ur (Exodus 28:19; Exodus 39:12 the King James Version, the Revised
Version (British and American) "jacinth"). ...Ligure (2 Occurrences). ...
/l/ligure.htm - 7k

Like (10728 Occurrences)

/l/like.htm - 14k

Jacinth (4 Occurrences)
... It has been supposed to designate the same stone as the ligure (Hebrews leshem)
mentioned in Exodus 28:19 as the first stone of the third row in the high ...
/j/jacinth.htm - 8k

Lign-aloes (1 Occurrence)
Lign-aloes. Lignaloes, Lign-aloes. Ligure . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... (ASV
WBS). Lignaloes, Lign-aloes. Ligure . Reference Bible.
/l/lign-aloes.htm - 7k

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