Jewels: Figurative
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, jewels are often used figuratively to convey spiritual truths, values, and divine attributes. The imagery of jewels serves to illustrate the beauty, worth, and preciousness of various spiritual concepts and entities.

1. Wisdom and Understanding: In the book of Proverbs, wisdom and understanding are likened to precious jewels. Proverbs 3:15 states, "She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her." This comparison underscores the immense value of wisdom, suggesting that it surpasses even the most treasured earthly possessions.

2. The People of God: The people of God are often depicted as jewels, emphasizing their value and cherished status in the eyes of the Lord. Malachi 3:17 declares, "They will be Mine," says the LORD of Hosts, "on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." Here, the term "treasured possession" can be understood as jewels, highlighting the special relationship between God and His people.

3. The Bride of Christ: The Church, as the Bride of Christ, is adorned with jewels, symbolizing purity, beauty, and the glory bestowed upon her by Christ. In Revelation 21:2, the New Jerusalem is described as "a bride adorned for her husband," and later in the chapter, the city is depicted with foundations of precious stones and gates of pearls (Revelation 21:19-21). This imagery reflects the splendor and holiness of the Church in its eternal state.

4. Righteousness and Virtue: Jewels are also used to symbolize righteousness and virtuous character. In 1 Peter 3:3-4, women are encouraged to focus on the "unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight," rather than external adornment. This passage suggests that true beauty and value are found in inner virtues, which are as precious as jewels.

5. The Kingdom of Heaven: Jesus uses the imagery of a pearl to describe the Kingdom of Heaven in 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." This parable illustrates the incomparable worth of the Kingdom, for which one should be willing to sacrifice everything.

6. Divine Wisdom and Revelation: In the book of Job, divine wisdom is portrayed as being more valuable than jewels. Job 28:18 states, "Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies." This passage emphasizes that divine wisdom and revelation are treasures that surpass all earthly wealth.

Throughout Scripture, the figurative use of jewels serves to communicate the profound worth and beauty of spiritual truths, the people of God, and the Kingdom of Heaven. These images invite believers to seek and cherish what is truly valuable in the eyes of God.
Nave's Topical Index
Proverbs 20:15
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Nave's Topical Index

Malachi 3:17
And they shall be mine, said the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

There Resulteth Then from all These this Sentence...
... telling honesty, not only above gold and silver and jewels and pleasant ... as regards
those Scriptures which are referred to no figurative signification, such as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 41 there resulteth then.htm

Parting Promises and Warnings
... feel the weight of our crown, or are we taken up with its jewels, and proud ... of the
future royalty of Christ's servants are given in highly figurative language. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/parting promises and warnings.htm

Against Embellishing the Body.
... us not to approach to another's river, meaning by the figurative expression "another's ...
But to those who are fond of gold, and purple, and jewels, neither the ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii against embellishing the body.htm

The Apocalypse.
... are interspersed through the mysterious visions, and glister like brilliant jewels
on a ... of the traditional date understand these passages in a figurative sense ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 101 the apocalypse.htm

Note to the Following Treatise 1. The Following Letter
... But just as a man who exposes precious jewels for sale, in order to excite ... Three
Persons in the Trinity, is so; and I think that this expression is figurative. ...
/.../note to the following treatise.htm

The Second Commandment
... to signify his power, yet it is absurd, from such metaphors and figurative expressions,
to ... They are his spouse, adorned with jewels of grace; they lie near his ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... But Joseph is perhaps more highly figurative of the Redeemer. ... Rebekah had bracelets,
ear-rings, jewels of silver and of gold, and fine raiment as elements of ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... the walls of silver, gold, and gems, while all kinds of jewels would be ... Not only
is the figurative language of the prophets applied in the most external manner ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm

Of the Incapacity of an Unregenerate Person for Relishing the ...
... prophetical book naturally leads us to consider these merely as figurative phrases,
which ... is all of pure gold, its gates are pearl, and its foundations jewels. ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse v of the incapacity.htm

The First Epistle of St. Peter
... spirits (of whom he is to speak later, in iii.19, 20) seduced women by revealing
the knack of manufacturing bracelets and ornaments,' jewels and cosmetics. ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the first epistle of st.htm

Resources
What should we learn from the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31? | GotQuestions.org

What is gaslighting? | GotQuestions.org

Why does the Bible speak against braided hair? | GotQuestions.org

Jewels: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Jewels

Jewels: Betrothal Presents of

Jewels: Borrowed from Egyptians by Israelites

Jewels: Dedicated to the Tabernacle

Jewels: Figurative

Jewels: Regarded by Jacob As Obnoxious to Holiness

Jewels: Tokens of Love

Jewels: Worn by Men

Related Terms

Nose-jewels (1 Occurrence)

Sun-jewels (1 Occurrence)

Jewelry (18 Occurrences)

Jewel (12 Occurrences)

Ornaments (50 Occurrences)

Earrings (14 Occurrences)

Borrow (10 Occurrences)

Neighbour (139 Occurrences)

Raiment (75 Occurrences)

Nosejewels

Articles (78 Occurrences)

Ear-rings (12 Occurrences)

Beryls (4 Occurrences)

Bracelet (5 Occurrences)

Objects (30 Occurrences)

Costly (26 Occurrences)

Price (181 Occurrences)

Alike (67 Occurrences)

Neighbor (123 Occurrences)

Robes (124 Occurrences)

Silver (329 Occurrences)

Rings (46 Occurrences)

Clothing (288 Occurrences)

Egyptians (108 Occurrences)

Visits (4 Occurrences)

Nose-rings (5 Occurrences)

Nose-ring (4 Occurrences)

Neighbors (40 Occurrences)

Girdles (13 Occurrences)

Weighted (15 Occurrences)

Figures (11 Occurrences)

Finery (2 Occurrences)

Requested (29 Occurrences)

Despoil (13 Occurrences)

Moon-ornaments (2 Occurrences)

Plunder (118 Occurrences)

Borrowed (5 Occurrences)

Bracelets (10 Occurrences)

Brilliantly (2 Occurrences)

Coffer (3 Occurrences)

Comparison (27 Occurrences)

Armlets (3 Occurrences)

Signet-rings (2 Occurrences)

Stuff (49 Occurrences)

Signet (21 Occurrences)

Sparkling (7 Occurrences)

Sojourneth (27 Occurrences)

Sojourns (18 Occurrences)

Delicate (32 Occurrences)

Stores (53 Occurrences)

Box (13 Occurrences)

Fair (147 Occurrences)

Priest's (75 Occurrences)

Bag (52 Occurrences)

Rebekah (31 Occurrences)

Gold (429 Occurrences)

Instructed (80 Occurrences)

Dwelleth (142 Occurrences)

Beautiful (152 Occurrences)

Chain (21 Occurrences)

Strip (33 Occurrences)

Spoil (140 Occurrences)

Value (138 Occurrences)

Jewess (3 Occurrences)

Sun-images (6 Occurrences)

Sorts (65 Occurrences)

Sunk (20 Occurrences)

Addition (112 Occurrences)

Arrayed (46 Occurrences)

Stripped (62 Occurrences)

Lovers (57 Occurrences)

Kinds (110 Occurrences)

Ring (33 Occurrences)

Daughters (246 Occurrences)

Cut (616 Occurrences)

Chains (100 Occurrences)

Woman (4043 Occurrences)

Queenly (1 Occurrence)

Vaulted (6 Occurrences)

Jewels: Dedicated to the Tabernacle
Top of Page
Top of Page