The sapphire-stone is a precious gemstone mentioned several times in the Bible, known for its deep blue color and remarkable beauty. In biblical times, the sapphire was highly valued and often associated with royalty and divine favor. The Hebrew word for sapphire is "sapir," and it is frequently listed among the precious stones in the Scriptures.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 24:10 · The sapphire is first mentioned in the context of a divine vision. When Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel ascended Mount Sinai, they "saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself" . This description emphasizes the purity and heavenly nature of the sapphire, symbolizing the divine presence and glory.

2. Exodus 28:18; 39:11 · The sapphire is also listed as one of the stones set in the breastplate of the High Priest. The breastplate, known as the "Breastplate of Judgment," contained twelve stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The sapphire, being one of these stones, signifies its importance in the religious and cultural life of ancient Israel.

3. Job 28:6, 16 · In the poetic discourse on wisdom, Job refers to the sapphire as a symbol of great value and rarity. "Its rocks are the source of sapphires, and its dust contains gold" (Job 28:6). This passage highlights the preciousness of wisdom, comparing it to the value of sapphires and gold.

4. Ezekiel 1:26; 10:1 · The prophet Ezekiel describes his vision of the divine throne as being like a sapphire stone. "Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne, with the appearance of a sapphire stone" (Ezekiel 1:26). This imagery reinforces the association of the sapphire with divine majesty and authority.

5. Song of Solomon 5:14 · In the poetic language of the Song of Solomon, the beloved's hands are described as "gold rings set with beryl; his body is an ivory panel bedecked with sapphires" . Here, the sapphire is used metaphorically to describe beauty and desirability.

Symbolism and Significance:

In biblical symbolism, the sapphire often represents purity, truth, and divine revelation. Its deep blue color is reminiscent of the heavens, making it a fitting symbol for the divine and eternal. The use of sapphire in the High Priest's breastplate and in visions of God's throne underscores its association with holiness and divine authority.

The sapphire's enduring beauty and value have made it a symbol of God's unchanging nature and the eternal truths of His Word. Its presence in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the splendor and majesty of God's creation and His sovereign rule over all.

Of the Appearance on Sinai. Whether the Trinity Spake in that ...
... of Israel, that "they saw the place where the God of Israel had stood," and that
"there was under His feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 15 of the appearance on.htm

'The Love of Thine Espousals'
... And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under His feet as it were a pared
work of a sapphire- stone, and as it were the body of heaven in His clearness.11 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the love of thine espousals.htm

The Crucifixion
... human voice; He was the God of Israel, whom the Jewish elders saw with their bodily
eyes upon Mount Sinai, and under His feet a pavement as of a sapphire stone ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xvi the crucifixion.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... High above all these "was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire
stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

The Second Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary.
... as the firmament, and as the appearance of the terrible crystal, and the likeness
of the throne above them was as the appearance of a sapphire-stone: and above ...
/.../the second homily on the.htm

Now, and Then
... We read that Aaron and certain chosen ones saw the throne of God, and the
brightness as it were of sapphire stone"light, pure as jasper. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/now and then.htm

The Throne of Grace
... Now, the attribute of sovereignty is very high and terrible; its light is like unto
a jasper stone, most precious, and like unto a sapphire stone, or, as ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the throne of grace.htm

The Blood of the Testament
... Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: and they saw the God of Israel: and
there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

An Exhortation to Theodore after his Fall. Letter I.
... humble the insolence of the proud, and they who are left shall be more precious
than unsmelted gold, and a man shall be more precious than the sapphire stone. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/an exhortation to theodore after.htm

The Oration on Holy Baptism.
... give you rest; [4083] or, Arise, let us go hence, shining brightly, glittering above
snow, whiter than milk, [4084] shining above the sapphire stone; let us ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xl the oration on.htm

Sapphire-stone (1 Occurrence)
Sapphire-stone. Sapphires, Sapphire-stone. Sara . Multi-Version
Concordance Sapphire-stone (1 Occurrence). Exodus 24 ...
/s/sapphire-stone.htm - 6k

Sapphire (11 Occurrences)
... Exodus 24:10 They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was like a paved
work of sapphirestone, like the skies for clearness. (WEB ...
/s/sapphire.htm - 11k

Resembling (19 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne,
as the appearance of a sapphirestone; and on the likeness of the throne ...
/r/resembling.htm - 12k

Expanse (18 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne,
as the appearance of a sapphirestone; and on the likeness of the throne ...
/e/expanse.htm - 11k

Firmament (17 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 1:26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness
of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphirestone: and upon the likeness of ...
/f/firmament.htm - 13k

Arch (24 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 1:26 And on the top of the arch which was over their heads was the form
of a king's seat, like a sapphirestone; and on the form of the seat was the ...
/a/arch.htm - 15k

Appearance (126 Occurrences)
... a-per'-ans (mar'eh; chiefly used of the mystic and supernatural visions of Ezekiel
and Daniel): A semblance, as of lightning, wheels, sapphirestone (Ezekiel 1 ...
/a/appearance.htm - 41k

Likeness (52 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne,
as the appearance of a sapphirestone; and on the likeness of the throne ...
/l/likeness.htm - 29k

Lapis (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne,
as the appearance of a sapphirestone; and on the likeness of the throne ...
/l/lapis.htm - 7k

Lazuli (3 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne,
as the appearance of a sapphirestone; and on the likeness of the throne ...
/l/lazuli.htm - 7k

Summary of the Book of Ezekiel - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What was the firmament in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why is God going to give us a white stone with a new name? | GotQuestions.org

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