Emerald

Emerald is a valuable green stone. Emerald is a green form of beryl, which is a hard mineral.

Some Bible translations use “emerald” as one of the stones on the high priest’s breastpiece (Exodus 28:17; 39:10). Different Bible translations use the word “emerald” for different ancient stone names. The exact identity of these ancient stones is uncertain.

The prophet Ezekiel mentions “emerald” in his lament for the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:13).

In Revelation, the Greek words smaragdinos and smaragdos refer to an emerald or an emerald-green color. John compares the rainbow around God’s throne to an emerald. He also names emerald as the fourth foundation stone of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 4:3; 21:19).

See also Precious Stones.